Product design is the process involved in producing a new product, from the generation of the idea, to the development of the concept, the testing of the product and the manufacturing and implementation of that final product. It's easy to assume as consumers, that the products we see on store shelves simply appear from the delivery vans. We give little thought to where their ideas came from, how they were produced or how they ended up on the shop floor for us to buy. In fact there are a number of stages involved in product design, to ensure a new idea is launched successfully and profitably. Great product design is essential in today's competitive marketplace. It determines the aesthetic properties of a product, including the colour, the shape and indeed, the entire form. Careful design is essential for fuelling a product with the qualities it will take to sell. Given that our decision to purchase is quite often influenced by emotional responses, image is often just as important as productivity in product design. Product design requires the consideration of ergonomics, technology and usability. Ensuring this is carried out appropriately should result in adding value, by differentiating the product from the competition. By conducting research, economic factors are considered such as how much it will cost to produce and how it will be done. In the modern day, green issues are also considered at this stage of development, such as the recyclability of the product and how energy efficient it will be. For the customer, great design results in us receiving the products we want. For example, poorly conducted research may result in a product being designed that already exists in the market, at a higher price than competitors and without the functions the consumer requires. Excellent research is the most important part to product design. For the supplier, excellent product design, results in successful products and therefore results in boosted sales, increased market share and improved profit margins. As consumers we make the decision to purchase based on practicality of a product such as cost and functions however we are also influenced by our emotional responses. This is why it is essential to get the visual design of a product right for the market you are appealing to. It can make the difference between closing a sale or not. Once the final concepts have been confirmed, the product goes in to development. This usually involves creating an initial 3D design of the product to analyse the functionality of the design, allowing the designers to check the success of the product; that it will perform as it should and will also be marketable, serviceable and manufacturable. During the product design stage, there are no sales and no profits because the anticipated future profits are being invested in product design. The longer it takes to design the product, the lower the profits will be over the lifetime of the product. This highlights the importance of accurate product design and research in the early stages. Assuming every detail is carefully planned, it shouldn't in theory, result in any hidden surprises later on, saving on costly delays in production.
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