HOW DO YOU WORK WITH AN INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER?

The suggested design process can and should be modified for each project. Smaller projects will often use an abbreviated form of this process while other projects may not follow each step in this precise sequence. Also, internal design staffs may have their own procedures.

CLIENT BRIEFS DESIGNER IN DEPTH

Designer conducts preliminary analysis of problem and accepts or amends/expands brief (possibly constituting a paid feasibility study)

CLIENT ESTABLISHES DEFINITIVE PROJECT BRIEF

The client prepares a project brief, indicating exact scope of work for each project phase, identifying the members of the design team if company personnel are to be involved and defining their responsibilities, and finally outlining the channels of communication to be established and the reporting methods to be used. Designer establishes the preliminary design requirements based on how, when, where, why and by whom the product is used, sold, displayed stored, shipped and produced.

DESIGNER COLLECTS AND ANALYZES DATA

The designer will review existing surveys, standards, patents, safety requirements, competitive products and user/use context data, with additional information gathering in the library, lab, company, or field, as necessary.

Management and Staff Accessibility Policy: During design development, company personnel at all levels should be available and willing to work with the designer. As a general rule, the more complex a project is, the more interaction is necessary.

DESIGNER DEVELOPS PRELIMINARY CONCEPT SKETCHES

The designer will prepare sketches consisting of rough alternative solutions. The client is advised to give the designer sufficient freedom to explore ideas at this point. The client's investment is in the designer as a creative problem-solving resource, and part of the value of that investment is lost if the designer's creative potential is restricted by mismanagement of this stage.

The designer will review use these sketches as a basis for discussion, selection or further exploration and final refinement of chosen concept.

DESIGNER PRESENTS FINAL DESIGN SOLUTION

The client will choose a final design solution based on the review of a two-dimensional sketch and/or three dimensional model form.

Client evaluates final design solution, and has industrial designer repeat this stage until mutually satisfactory result is achieved. Client may want to use the sketches/model to (a) do preliminary market test, and /or (b) use for the development of sales literature timed for product launch.

Go to next page.

Go back to the Main Client Guide Page..