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Tag: industrial design

Industrial Design for Creating Successful Products Explained with Vera Roldan [Podcast]

Posted on by sofeast

In this episode, Adrian speaks with Vera Roldan, Head of Design at Sofeast, about the true role of industrial design in creating successful products. Vera explains how thoughtful design connects user needs, functionality, and manufacturability, and why it’s crucial to bring designers in early.
She walks through Sofeast’s structured design process, from user research and concept sketching to 3D modeling and supplier collaboration. The conversation also covers balancing cost with aesthetics, the growing importance of sustainability, and practical advice for startups.

Listen here

Listen to the episode or watch on YouTube

Show sections

  • 00:00:12 — Introducing Vera & the topic
  • 00:01:49 — Why industrial design matters (beyond looks)
  • 00:02:58 — Example: simplifying complexity & “design as insurance”
  • 00:05:02 — Getting started with an ID team: what to share in your brief
  • 00:07:50 — ID is consultative: research, sketches, 3D CAD, renders, handover
  • 00:10:42 — Electronics vs home goods: different constraints
  • 00:12:40 — Pitfalls of bringing design in late (rework, fit issues, cost)
  • 00:16:27 — Designers × engineers × suppliers: prototype feedback loops
  • 00:18:50 — What you should receive at the end of ID (deliverables)
  • 00:20:06 — Why hire a pro ID team vs doing it in-house
  • 00:21:27 — Balancing aesthetics and cost
  • 00:23:23 — Startups: don’t skip prototyping/user testing
  • 00:24:41 — Sustainability trends & competitive advantage
  • 00:25:41 — #1 thing for first-time creators: test with real users
  • 00:26:50 — Vera’s favourite design stage
  • 00:27:46 — Success story: UX focus transformed the outcome
  • 00:28:56 — Wrapping up

Key Takeaways

  • PR is the difference-maker at trade fairs.
  • Choose the right PR path for your budget ($1k–$10k).
  • Always capture pre-orders or deposits on-site.
  • CES = volume, IFA = quality contacts for Europe.
  • Repurpose media mentions to strengthen your brand credibility.

Extra resources to dive deeper

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2D Drawings in Manufacturing: A Timeless Tool [Podcast]

Posted on by sofeast

Despite our increasingly digital world, 2D technical drawings remain fundamental in manufacturing. This episode explores why these seemingly old-fashioned documents are still crucial for effective communication between designers, engineers, and manufacturers, and how they complement modern 3D CAD designs.

 

Listen to the episode here

Listen: to the podcast episode

Watch: on YouTube

 

Episode sections

  • 01:20 – Introducing 2D Drawings
  • 02:30 – Product Design Process Basics
  • 05:03 – CAD and File Formats
  • 09:00 -Communicating with Manufacturers
  • 13:07 – The Importance of Tolerances
  • 20:00 – Modern Relevance and Future Use
  • 24:42 – Document Control and wrapping up

 

Related content…

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

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AI Product Design: How to use AI early during Industrial Design (Examples)

Posted on by sofeast

AI product design appeals to today’s industrial designers who are looking for improvements in efficiency and creativity.

We’re going to explore how combining two innovative AI tools, ChatGPT and Midjourney, could change the way designers approach the early concept discovery phase of Industrial Design, providing compelling ideas that they otherwise may not have come up with.

Continue reading “AI Product Design: How to use AI early during Industrial Design (Examples)”

Avoid Sending Immature Product Designs to a Chinese Manufacturer!

Posted on by sofeast

Renaud makes it clear where you need to be with new product designs before you approach Chinese manufacturers. He also explains the risks with immature designs, common red flags, and the work you’ll need to do to have designs that can be called ‘ready to industrialize.’

 

Listen to the episode here 👇

Listen: to the podcast episode

Watch: on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Introduction.
  • 01:24 – What do we mean by mature product designs?
  • 04:54 – Don’t ignore important phases and milestones in the NPI process.
  • 07:30 – What the average Chinese manufacturer will need from you before they can get started.
  • 09:45 – Approaching suppliers in the right way.
  • 16:20 – Is there a risk that a ‘bad’ manufacturer might take your project with immature designs and lead to failure and wasted time and money?
  • 18:53 – Common red flags demonstrating that product designs are immature.
  • 25:41 – Summary and wrapping up.

 

Related content…

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

More episodes are coming, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

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What Is The Industrial Design Process For New Electro-Mechanical Products? [Podcast]

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What Is The Industrial Design Process For New Electro-Mechanical Products_ [Podcast]

British product designer Andy Bartlett joins our CEO Renaud once more on the pod to go through the industrial design process typically followed for new electro-mechanical products in detail, phases by phase.

This is a natural progression from another recent episode where he introduced what industrial design is and how to work with designers.

Working with an industrial designer to help crystallize your concept and create mature designs that can be developed and mass-produced is a must for most importers, so you’ll learn the process designers follow, where you will be involved in providing feedback etc, and how they hand over to the development and production teams. Renau and Andy also provide plenty of good advice for if you’re bringing a new product to market soon!

 

Listen here!

Listen: 6 Phases Of The Industrial Design Process (Feat. Andy Bartlett) 

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings & introduction.
  • 03:13 – What does the ID process typically include? 6 phases:
    1. Clarification of needs
    2. Early discovery
    3. Initial concepts
    4. Focus on 1 concept
    5. Detailed aesthetics
    6. Handover & follow up
  • 04:29 – Clarification of needs.
  • 16:20 – Early discovery.
  • 19:19 – Initial concepts.
  • 33:48 – Focus on 1 concept.
  • 41:20 – Handover & follow up.
  • 42:58 – Detailed aesthetics.
  • 45:08 – Follow up once the product is being developed.
  • 47:27 – Wrapping up. 

 

Related content…

Andy is a friend of the show and has been on a few times. You may remember him from shows about good project management of Chinese suppliers and NPI process best practices.

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!

How To Work With Industrial Designers? [Podcast]

Posted on by sofeast

How To Work With Industrial Designers? [Podcast]British product designer Andy Bartlett joins Adrian from the team for an interesting episode about all things industrial design.

Andy shares some great information and advice for people starting out in industrial design and entrepreneurs and businesses who’re looking to work with a designer to expand on their product concept and create a manufacturing-ready product design.

You’ll learn what ID is to a designer, the best practices they follow, tools used and processes followed, how to work with them efficiently, and much more.

 

Listen here!

Listen: Andy Bartlett | All About Industrial Design

Watch on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings
  • 00:59 – Today’s topic
  • 1:10 – Andy introduces himself and his experience as a product designer
  • 02:16 – What is industrial design?
  • 04:56 – When can/should you engage an industrial designer?
  • 07:13 – What tools & processes will industrial designers use?
  • 11:34 – Can you go into prototyping before finishing 3D designs?
  • 13:24 – CMF: Color, Material, and Finishes
  • 17:22 – Is it beneficial for industrial designers to specialize in one product type or have a broader experience?
  • 19:14 – Why compromise is a useful skill for designers
  • 21:11 – What information do industrial designers need from their clients at the start of an engagement and how to manage the customer’s requirements?
  • 28:57 – Tips about being a part of a multinational project (customer in one country, designer in another, production supplier in Asia)
  • 33:33 – Wrapping up

 

Related content…

Andy has been on the show before, and you may remember him from shows about good project management of Chinese suppliers and NPI process best practices.

 

Listen, rate, & subscribe to the ‘China Manufacturing Decoded’ podcast on your favorite provider

There are more episodes to come, so remember to rate us and subscribe! You can find us on:

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to give us a 5* rating and share it with your network if you enjoy listening!