You might have a revolutionary product in mind – one that’s well designed and set to serve an important purpose. And, you probably have an idea of what it will be made out of, where it will be made and how you will go about this. But, designing a successful product requires more than just this. You need a product design strategy.
A product design strategy will help you understand what you should design, what will make it successful and ultimately help you make better decisions when the time comes to manufacture the product. In this post, we’ll help you join the likes of Tesla and Apple in religiously using product design strategies.
Identify the Problem and Opportunity
Ask yourself – does your product provide a solution to a problem that is currently unsolved? Seek out other products that are already solving the problem. If there are any, how will your product perform better than theirs? For instance, will it have better features or be more affordable? If it’s the latter, how will you make it more affordable?
Running through crucial questions like these will not only help you develop a clearer vision of your product but also give you the ability to give solid answers to any questions that will arise from potential investors in the future. Conduct surveys, speak with industry experts and develop a stronger knowledge of the industry your product will be in.
Be sure to document each step of the process so that you can look back at them and verify the legitimacy of your decisions. This is important, as the world is evolving at a rapid pace. Thanks to regulation changes or technological advances, your product could be revolutionary now and nothing more than an ornament just a few years later.
Define Your Product Characteristics
A successful product is defined by three key characteristics: functional, usable and desirable. It has to be functional by working effectively to solve a problem. It has to be usable in the sense that its target market can easily utilize it. And, it has to be desirable due to its cost, appearance, functionality, performance or other good selling points.
Begin the Visualization Process
These days, the product visualization process is easier than ever. You can now create accurate 2D and 3D models of your product with industry-specific design software and effectively simulate using that product in real-world situations. There are many options depending on what your product is.
For most products, basic CAD (computer-aided design) software will provide a basis upon which you can create a prototype. From here, you may have to consider more specialized software.
For instance, if you’re designing a product that uses electronics, you’ll need a good PCB design software to develop a circuit board prototype. These are easily found online by performing a simple search like ‘pcb design software top 10.’ Once the design process is complete, it’s time to make your product a reality.
Before you start pitching to investors, be sure to refine your product as much as possible. The better your initial idea, the faster you can get it on the assembly line.
