A client, such as an inventor, hardware startup, or SME, typically comes to us with questions about their product designs as they are not sure how to make it with the features they want, within their budget, and without quality issues.

Our clients have typically first worked with a designer who has defined the initial look and functionality of the product. However, they are not sure if manufacturing their product based on that design is even possible at all, or if all important considerations have been taken into account.

There are virtually always several solutions, but we find that the best is often to go with the simplest one (which is also usually cheaper and more reliable, too), at least for the first version of a totally new product.

This solution will help in your new product development process, especially if you have become stuck at the design stage or have failed to get your new product off the ground before when trying to manufacture it in China, India, or Vietnam.

Many of our clients worked with a design firm, or with a freelance designer, who are not very experienced with Asian manufacturing, or who are not familiar with some materials or processes. This leaves them with a design that is just not compatible with the ‘reality’ to be found in factories here.

In addition, relying on Asian suppliers for the type of analysis & recommendation that we offer in this solution generally does not return the same value, since they will always orient you towards what suits their own particular agenda, abilities, and experience.

For example, a design review, or a prototyping iteration, might point to necessary changes that suppliers might not suggest. Remember, suppliers want to go as fast as possible into mass production, as that’s when they collect payment. Analysis and improvements are usually not their primary objective.

As an illustration, here is a situation we have encountered numerous times. You may suggest a design feature of material that is perfectly achievable in your design, but the Chinese supplier you’re speaking with will tell you that it’s ‘impossible’ simply because they do not have the experience and/or equipment to fulfill your design.

Suppliers may also push you towards certain design changes, using features or materials that they can provide more easily, to the detriment of your product’s quality perception and/or functionality.