Hello. We occasionally get asked for advice about taking an idea forward and getting into the marketplace. We thought it might be of interest to put together some tips.

If you have been struck with a brilliant idea for a new product it’s easy to get enthusiastic. However, it really is worth scrutinising the idea carefully before investing your time and money developing it. It’s also worth thinking through the important steps that will be required to develop an idea into a product that people want to use. What roles do the design and manufacturability play in determining a products success. Here’s some of the things we think are key:-

Examine the market for your product: There’s often no need to reinvent the wheel. Many designers’ efforts fail when they try to offer products based on their assumptions of what people need instead of a thorough research of what people could really use. It sounds like common sense, but you have to be honest with yourself. Seek impartial advice, and listen to feedback.

See the project from an engineer’s point of view: When starting out it’s not necessary to obsess over the fine details of a product. At an early stage just try to cover potential problems related to how the product will be made. Making something easy to manufacture is a real skill. It will often determine how a product ends up looking and functioning and can make the difference between success and failure.

See the project with the eyes of a designer: Ask yourself the critical questions that have to be answered before a new product ever gets to manufacturing. Who will buy it? What value will it add? If you do commercialise your product you will be mobilising potentially hundreds of people to produce, inspect, pack, ship, and sell your products. Is the design as good as it can be? Can you justify their time and efforts?

See the value of the product through the consumers’ eyes: Think of a design that would offer qualities that go beyond than just price for customers. Make sure the design is visually appealing, user-friendly, easy to use and not overly complicated. Can it add value in their daily lives? Simple, thoughtful design can often provoke genuine affection. We all know of products in our lives that work really well. From a new smart phone, to a seemingly indestructible toaster that has provided perfect toast for years, there are products that you probably have a positive emotional reaction to, and those mark the successful development of a good idea.