Product Design and 4 Most Important Questions

Product design is the first and the most important phase of a custom product development. Most small or midsized businesses start from a product design concept – whether, they are deciding to manufacture small items such as plastic bottles, or a multifaceted and sophisticated product like home appliance. However, before you proceed with the product development process, you need to consider the following three questions for a successful product.­­­­­­­­­­

  1. What is my product?

At the very first sight, the question may appear to be silly, but it is a fundamental question ensuring the correct product development. Having a clear understanding of what your product is, allow you to concentrate on your research and your end-result. Additionally, you also need to understand, how your product is superior compared to similar products offered in the market by your competitors. You need to stand out with your product and simultaneously find the entry door in the market for your idea.

  1. What will be the function of my product?

What your product will do? How will it attract new customers? Which will be the most promising feature of your product? Will it be used outdoors / indoors? Is it a multipurpose product? These sets of questions ensure that throughout the development process, you have your potential customers in mind. Are you going to target a specific group of customers? If yes, then there is no smartness trying to make your product appeal to a customer group that will never use your product.

For instance, manufacturing a nutcracker to attract the young generation is a waste of time, as your potential customers will be the people belonging to the age group of 50years and above. It is also important that you keep an eye on your competitors to see if they are producing something similar or not. In business, there is nothing wrong with integrating something that works well in a similar product into yours, but you just need to ensure yours is slightly different or a superior product.

  1. Can my targeted end-users afford my product?

At the end of the day, everything depends on the cost of the product – higher manufacturing cost means higher retail prices, which may obstruct the success of your product. As a solution to this problem, analyze your market, understand your potential customers, and investigate what they are actually willing to pay for products similar to your concept. Are you manufacturing a multipurpose product that will be used repeatedly, or are you developing a disposable item?

Follow these useful tips of keep product costs to their minimum.

  • Selection of Correct Raw Material for Manufacturing: Using expensive metal or any other expensive raw material where a plastic could do the job is a simply unnecessary expense. Use of plastic reduces the overall manufacturing cost, because it can be melted and molded very easily. Eventually, reduced manufacturing cost means an affordable product for your end-users.

 

  • Selection of Correct Manufacturing Process: A multipurpose product will have multiple parts, which ultimately incur higher manufacturing costs. Therefore, if possible, it is recommended that you keep the least number of physical moving parts in your product. Product development is also determined by your anticipated product finish, raw-material selection and batch volume. Normally, the higher batch volume, the lower manufacturing costs. The molds used to develop your product are also expensive, so larger production volumes reduce your overheads further.
  1. What will be the life span of your product?

What about the durability of your product, and how long will it last? Will it stand a rough use? If you are manufacturing a multipurpose and sophisticated product with an extensive lifespan, then material selection can be your own personal preference. However, if you are manufacturing a single use, disposable product with a short lifespan, then it is necessary to make sure that your cost is as low as possible. Therefore, select the best and cheapest material for developing your product.

Initially, the process of product design and development can be stressful, irritating, demanding, time-consuming, and nerve-wracking; however, it gets smoother as time goes on. After so much of hard work, when your product arrives, beautifully packaged, and arranged for sale at the store shelves, there is no better reward.

For any kind of tips, hints, or assistance related to product design or development in the USA, please feel free to contact us, or call us at 714-323-1052 to talk to our product designers and engineers.