Industrial Design Process

Overview

Over the years, I've gradually found myself being involved in most aspects of the Product Design Process.

Below is a framework I've used to guide myself, and others, through the steps needed to design relevant, insightful & well-made products.

Demonstration Project

Dermalogica - Skin Bar

Commissioned by Dermalogica to create a portable workspace where Skin Specialists could demonstrate Dermalogica's skin care products. Additionally, portions of the design were realistically 3D rendered to be placed on the website.

ID Process Phases

ID Process Breakdown

Project Scope & provided Research

Product Goals
Marketing Research
Competitor Research
Research & Development
Brand/Client Style Guides
Brand/Client Assets
Appearance Expectations
Restrictions
Budget, cost per product
Projected product Quantities
Durability
Configurability
Modularity
Materials

Pre-design Research

Market
User
Demand
Competition
Profitability
Available/Practical manufacturing Processes
Liability:
- Laws
- Engineering
- Safety
- Materials

Conceptualization, Ideation, Idea Generation

Studies: Texture, Color, Form
Concept Sketches (roughs & thumbnails)
- Pencil Sketches
Layouts:
- Full Size
- Scale
Human Factors & Ergonomics
Concept Sketches (presentation quality):
- Pencil Sketch Ranges:
  - Good (below-budget)
  - Better (on-budget)
  - Best (above-budget)
- Colorization in Photoshop
Axonometric Views (roughs & presentation quality):
- Lined or Shades
Concept Renderings (presentation quality)

Texture, Color & form Studies...

Texture, Color & Form: Metallic, Tubular Structure — Texture, Color & Form: Metallic, Tubular Structure

Color & form: More Geometric Waterfall Counter Surface — Color & form: More Geometric Waterfall Counter Surface

Color & Form: Interesting Intersection of Transitions — Color & Form: Interesting Intersection of Transitions

Concept Renderings...

Visual prototypes & Working Prototypes

Corrugated
Foam Core
Clay
Sculpey
Scotch Tape
Bubble Gum
Whatever works

Screening Concepts

Internal Screening:
- Industrial Design Group & Department Reviews:
  - Studies
  - Drawings
  - Layouts
  - Renderings
  - Mockups
- Personal: Never show the designs you don't want to be chosen, if you do, those are the ones that will be inevitably favored! You won't want to develop something that you personally dislike.
- Client Presentation Created
Client Screening:
- Presentation given to Brand/Client, involving both Sales & Industrial Design
- Brand/Client chooses preferred design solution/direction

Initial CAD Development

Departments Involved:
- Industrial Design
- Prototyping
- Engineering
- Estimation & Project Management
- Purchasing
- Vendors
3D Renderings (presentation quality)

Estimation:

Estimations - Project Management/Estimation Department:
- Costs
- Timelines:
  - Prototypes
  - User Research
  - Test Runs
  - Design & Update Cycles
  - Production
Vendors:
- Estimates
- Material Yields
- Optimized manufacturing methods
- Material choice refinement
- Samples
Ball Park Estimate(s) - avoid if possible

Design Concept Review, Costing & Prototype order

Present tight, 3D Concept Renderings to Brand/Client
Provide costs & timeline estimates
Prototype order

FUNCTIONAL Prototype & User Experience Prototype

Actual (if possible):
- Scale
- Materials
- Processes
- Finishes
Rapid Prototyped:
- Injection molded components
- Milled components

Prototype Review

Client/Brand:
- Expectation
- Brand alignment

User Research

Tests:
- Usability Tests
- Focus Groups
- Contextual Interviews
- Individual Interviews
Testing Factors:
- Human Factors & Ergonomics
- Passive & Active
- Safety
- Comfort
- Ease of Use
- Impressions
- Intentions
- Appearance/feel/touch
- Branding and without Branding (Blind Testing)
- Sale-through
- Shoppability
- User Suggestions
- Etc...

Design Refinement & updated prototypes

Using Research in-progress, as a guide, changes are made to CAD
Updated prototypes are rotated into User Research

Sample Test Run

A determined number of products are sent into the market for field testing
Results will help determine viability, final production quantities & any fine design updates