Product Design & Development: Conceptual Development
Тhe goal of each project is to pass through „Product design & Development” step by step. It starts with designing in the stages of “Conceptual Development” and “3D Modeling”. It continues with the development of the “Models and Prototypes” stage, through experimental models and functional prototypes, depending on the characteristics and objectives of the project. The previous three stages are very important for organizing and developing the fourth final stage – “Adaptation of Manufacturing”.
Stage 1: Conceptual Development
Analysis and Product Sketches
Product analysis and discussion of project priorities. Development of a certain number of concepts (product sketches), which are analyzed to determine the direction of development. The next step is the selection and development of several conceptual options – basically four. After their development and analysis, two designs are selected from the four options – development follows. From the two designs, one final design is selected, which undergoes intensive development of the basic structure, details, function, etc., before proceeding to “3D Modeling” stage.
1.Product analysis:
Discussion over the priorities set in the project and the desired product, after completion of all project process stages of “Product Design & Development”. Discussion and analysis of product characteristics – technical, marketing and economic characteristics of the project. Basic analysis of competing products and matching them to the specific product idea, using comparison tables and systematization of features.Analysis of the market niche and market segmentation – forming a social and psychological profile of the type of customer, discussing other target groups of users, building a direction for possible development of a product range, etc. Discuss the merchandising strategy and its main priorities. Research and analysis for available intellectual property (invention, utility model or industrial design) possibly owned by competing products or ideas and designs that have not been implemented in the market. The basic information with which the compilation of the product analysis should be started is provided by the client – team, firm, company, etc. – to the contractor. The consolidation of all information and its completion in the form of a final product analysis, which will help to build a conceptual development, will be carried out between the two parties – the client and the contractor (designer and developer and consultant).
2.Development of concepts:
Concepts are developed to lay the foundations of the project. The substage is not limited to a number of concepts, as it aims to search and determine the direction of development for the whole project. During the development stage, the designer makes decisions on what the number of concepts will be. The aim is to extract the essence and to lay the basis of the product – at the following substages to to develop structure, functionality and styling. After the completion of the concepts, a view, analysis and selection of selected conceptual options for subsequent development are carried out. Every single concept is discussed, before choosing the right options with potential opportunities for further development.
3.Dеvelopment of selected concepts:
The development of selected concepts is the substage, where several of the best concepts resulting from a previous substage – “Development of Concepts “, have to be selected. They have been selected after a view, analysis and careful selection from all concept designs, only then it sounds more rational. Mainly, four concepts are selected and undergo a development process. This is followed by a view, analysis and selection of two competing designs for subsequent development.
4.Development of two main designs:
Intensive development of the two main designs is done to develop variants of the structure, components and some basic details. Both designs evolve in a direction to show their main features. Their development must create a competitive choice in every aspect. After detailed development of the two designs, a view, discussion and selection of the main design are made. All this contributes significantly for the qualitative choice of the main design. All the efforts will be focused on the main design during the last substage.
5.Development of main design:
The development of the main design is the last and final substage of stage – Conceptual development. The design is developed, where the focus is over its composing elements – the main structure, all the components, details and elements. The overall structure is developed and finalized – the functional characteristics are developed, the basic ergonomic zones are specified, the basic components and the details are made; the visual characteristics of the styling, etc. are improved. Often in the product sketches of the main design, as well as in some of the above subtopics, text is used – words, short descriptions and explanations related to technical and visual characteristics that contribute to the further development of the project. Upon completion of the development, a review, thorough analysis and discussion is performed before moving to Stage: “3D Modeling”. Only after approval by both parties – a client and a designer – are finalized Stage: “Conceptual Development” and will be transferred to Stage: “3D Modeling”.
IMPORTANT: Prior starting the project process – “Product Design & Development”, the client have to state what other potential participants in the project will be – team, partners and potential specialists, participating in the main communication and feedback during the discussion of each stage and substage. The transition from one stage to the next stage, as well as the successive completion and closure of each substage, will take place after a basic view, analysis, discussion and approval between the two parties involved in the project – designer and client. The stage is developed using product sketches. The stage is developed with product sketches – spatial structures, axonometric projections, structural sections, and more. The development is done with the purpose of laying the conceptual foundations of the product, developing a structure and characteristic styling, building the basic technical characteristics, creating a product identity, etc. At stage “Conceptual Development”, it is possible to make changes – partial or complete, in the direction of optimization, improvement and development of the overall concept of the product.
