At Mindsailors, we understand that bringing a new product to market can be a daunting task. From conceptualization to production, each stage requires careful planning and execution. In this article, we’ll break down the fundamentals of new product development, offering a clear roadmap to guide you through each phase.

Keep in mind that each of these stages can be further divided into its own process. Like for “3.Design process” you could use our own Mindsailors Product Design Process. 

What is a product development process?

A product development process in industrial design and product development is a series of steps that a company follows to create a new product and bring it to market. There is no one universal model and every company uses their own version that is tweaked to their specific business requirements. 

For product design there are a couple of common ones, like the double diamond process, but still each design company might have their own process and product design and development approach. Keep in mind that product design is a process that is a part of a larger product development process.

The 7 steps of a Product Development Process can be summarized as follows:

1. Idea 

Every great product starts with a brilliant idea, often originating from our clients' own creativity and experiences. At Mindsailors, we recognize the value of these unique insights and work closely with our clients to transform their initial concepts into viable product ideas. When you come to our design studio, we collaborate to brainstorm and refine these ideas, ensuring they are feasible and aligned with market potential and business goals. This collaborative approach ensures that your vision is at the heart of the product development process.

2. Market Research and Analysis

Knowing your target market is key to developing a successful product. In order to make it happen our design team conducts thorough research to understand the current consumer tendencies, available technologies, and explore existing benchmarks. After taking those actions we can gather insights about your potential customers, competitors, and industry trends. This step will help you identify gaps in the market and refine your product concept to meet consumer needs. 

3. Design process 

Across various industries, common challenges often revolve around communication and a shared understanding of the design process, with all its stages. To address this, we structured our design process both internally within our teams and externally with our clients, with the aim of maximizing clear communication. Our design and engineering services cover all the tasks needed between an idea and a shelf-ready product. It consists of steps such as:

• Pre-design - stage aiming to create the brief and assess feasibility of a project.
• Concept design - start of the design and engineering works concluding with tree concept propositions.
• Targeted design - choosing and polishing one final design.
• Mechanical design - developing a visual concept into a functioning mechanical project and validating it by testing the prototype.
• Design for manufacturing - adjusting mechanical design for optimal manufacturing process.
• Manufacturing supervision - consulting the results of your first batch and working with your manufacturer to resolve any issues.

4. Production Planning

Once your product has been validated, it's time to plan for production. This involves selecting manufacturers, sourcing suppliers, and determining scale of production. Detailed production plans and timelines are created by our team and production engineers to ensure a smooth transition from a prototype to a finished product.

5. Manufacturing and Quality Control

While entering the most physical part of the process, high standards are a must. In order to take care of maintaining high quality our team usually assists in creating a golden sample. In the industrial design process, a "golden sample" refers to a prototype that is considered the definitive or benchmark version of a product. It helps in fine-tuning production tools and processes to ensure that the final output matches the quality and design of the golden sample.

6. Launch and Marketing

With your product ready for market, it's time to develop a comprehensive launch strategy. This includes creating marketing materials, planning promotional activities, and establishing distribution channels. A successful product launch generates buzz and drives initial sales.

7. Post-Launch Evaluation and Support

After the product launch, the time comes to monitor product’s performance and gather customer feedback. All invested sites can use this information to make improvements and get feedback. This stage is crucial for building brand loyalty and ensuring long-term success.

Conclusion

Bringing a new product to market is a complex but rewarding journey. By following these steps, you can streamline the process and increase your chances of success. At Mindsailors, we are committed to supporting our clients at every stage of product development. Whether you need help with design, prototyping, or DFM, our team of experts is here to guide you.

Ready to bring your product idea to life? Contact Mindsailors today to learn more about our services and how we can help you succeed.