The 4 phases of the product development journey
The product development journey can be complex and intimidating. However, it doesn't have to be. In this article, we broke the process down into four different phases to make it easier to understand.
Phase 1 - Product design
Typically, a client would go to a product development agency with sketches, rough prototypes or even just an idea. The design experts will then refine your concept into a viable design.
Here at R3nder we do that through virtual modelling. Our team of engineers are CAD (computer-aided design) experts and can create or re-create the most basic or complex of models. CAD is an essential part of the product development process, and all of our models are made with prototyping and manufacturing in mind.
Phase 2 - Feedback
Once your product development agency has supplied you with the correct materials, it’s time for you to get feedback from other sources.
We do this by recycling the virtual model we developed in phase one, and our team creates a photorealistic representation of your product. With these materials, you can achieve crucial commercial feedback by pitching your final idea to investors, focus groups, potential consumers or commercial partners and realise what they want from a commercial point of view. If there are any adjustments to make at the end of that phase, we can easily do that using the virtual model.
Phase 3 - Prototyping
It is time to create a physical prototype. R3NDER work with world-leading manufacturers, sourcing the best and most cost-efficient methods to suit your development strategy.
After we create a physical prototype, we will test some aspects of the design to make sure they are viable to produce and manufacture at scale. Whatever happens during that phase, don't worry! Things may go wrong, but it is our job to put them right. The purpose of prototyping is to identify as many weaknesses as possible and rectify them before manufacturing.
Our thorough virtual modelling process allows you to reduce the need for repetitive prototyping and therefore, ensures you achieve more for your budget.
Phase 4 - Preparing for manufacture
At this point, we take your refined virtual model to manufactures, so you can get some quotes. This will allow you to understand how much it is going to cost to create your product, at high volumes. Once you've got those figures, you can take them to investors and finally, raise the appropriate funds to manufacture your product.