You may have the best product, but if it is not catching the attention of the customer, all your effort has gone to waste. Product design, to simply state, puts your product on the map. Therefore it is important that when you are in the design process, you are on your toes and aware of the different factors that can make or break your product.
Cultural Context
When you are looking for a product design, there are some basic tips you need to keep in mind. Knowing your audience is very paramount. Sometimes even cultural knowledge can really help your product design have more impact.
As an example, certain shapes and colors are considered auspicious by cultures – while some motifs may have a definite meaning. Accordingly, you can apply these motifs and elements or avoid them if it clashes with the intent of your product.
Manufacturing Feasibility
Is your design feasible? Yes, we all love the best of aesthetics – some care for ornate designs while complex geometry has always fascinated art and design enthusiasts. But then there are the manufacturing process and the costs to think about.
Don’t let this be a problem that pops up later – in fact, don’t let this be a problem at all. Do your homework on the technical aspect of the design. Is it easy to render and scale up? The economics eventually dictate terms and so you cannot get carried away. Make sure that your CAD version and the manufactured reality has a seamless connection.
Packing is Very Important
Most products are similar – they address a need and are manufactured following a template. The allure of your product lies in its story. And that is your packaging. Packing is something that catches your eye – it has to be visibly striking. The packaging should also attract the attention of a buyer. So it should have an attractive design element.
Packaging needs to inform – so from catchphrases to highlighted content, you need to throw your unique selling points without being overwhelming. Just like you basic product design, even your product’s packaging needs to be in harmony with the manufacturing process.
Choose the Right Professionals
The best product designs are a result of great professional relationships and high communication standards. If the designer does not understand your philosophy, your product design will lack an important element. You will have miscommunication and a lot of time will be wasted. You also need to work with designers who are ready to show you a wide spectrum of ideas while also catering to your special requests. Sometimes we may miss a trick when conceptualizing designs – having a designer on board who is bold enough to point out crucial mistakes and their repercussions is a great advantage.
Choose a company that suits your product demands. Most reputed firms have an easily available list of clients. Find out what they have designed. Do not go for immediate referrals or cost-effective measures until you have done the right amount of reconnaissance.
It is also imperative that you have a single platform or point of contact for all your design services. End-to-end solutions will quicken your process – choose firms which will be there from the studio until the manufacturing process. Companies like www.jansypkg.com offer informed customers the widest portfolio of services and counseling. Boasting clients like Samsung, Oakley, Starbucks and Kate Spade, you will have access to some of the best professionals and practices in the design industry.
Blending Design with Market Knowledge
Whether you are designing for retail or trying to create a brand – always engage with a team that knows the underlying concepts and realities of the market. The best professionals put themselves in the shoes of the client and the customer while adding their niche talent to create a perfect product design.
Make sure you do appropriate market research and share crucial stats and trends with your designer. These help immensely in narrowing down the best approach. You also need to be a part of the team in many ways so good communication best practices are necessary. You may not know how to design but you remain the conduit between the idea and designer.
These tips and thoughts are just a scratch on the surface. Product design is a dynamic discipline and staying relevant is the only way to survive. Keep yourself updated and notice even the slightest changes in reaction. Know the trends and the sentiments that currently drive purchase in your industry. This allows you to stay ahead of the game. Learn from the best to help your unique identity flourish.