Best Industrial and Product Designers

What a good product design project includes

Product design gigs range from concept sketches to production-ready CAD. Check that the project states:

• Stages: research, concepts, 3D model, prototype files.
• Deliverables: sketches, CAD, renders, drawings.
• File formats your manufacturer or printer needs.
• Materials and production method.
• Revisions at each stage.
• Ownership and confidentiality.
• Timeline.

Ask the designer how the product will be made before details are finalized. A shape that is easy to 3D print may be expensive or impossible to mass-produce with the method your manufacturer uses.

How to brief a product designer

1. The problem the product solves and who uses it.
2. Requirements: size, weight, durability, features.
3. Target cost per unit and quantity.
4. Materials or methods you are considering.
5. Competitor products and what you would improve.
6. Brand and style references.
7. Standards the product must meet.

Share a target price for the finished product. It guides choices of materials, parts and methods, and prevents beautiful designs that are too expensive to sell.

Involve a manufacturer early. Even a short review of the concept by someone who will produce it can save expensive redesigns later.

Plan several prototype rounds. The first prototype almost always reveals changes, and budgeting for more than one avoids pressure to accept a flawed design.

Think about the whole life of the product: how it is packed, shipped, used, repaired and eventually disposed of. Designs that are easy to assemble, repair and recycle can reduce costs and appeal to customers who care about sustainability. Some markets also have rules about materials, packaging and product take-back. Ask the designer to consider these points early, when they are easy and cheap to include.

What drives the price

• complexity of the product
• number of parts
• research and concept rounds
• CAD detail and manufacturing drawings
• prototype support
• the designer's experience in your product type

Prototypes, tooling and certification are separate costs and can be significant. Ask the designer which decisions affect them most.

Red flags

• No discussion of how the product will be manufactured.
• Unclear ownership of the design.
• No confidentiality agreement for a new idea.
• Designs that ignore safety standards.
• Files in formats your manufacturer cannot use.

Keep all versions of the design files and dated notes of decisions. They help if you later work with other designers, manufacturers or advisers.

For 3D visuals and animations, see our 3D product animation guide. For packaging, read our packaging design guide, and for crowdfunding a new product our crowdfunding guide.

Quick pre-order checklist

• I have clear requirements and a target cost.
• The manufacturing method is discussed early.
• I own the design and have a confidentiality agreement.
• I have budgeted for several prototypes.
• I know which safety standards apply.