Happy Holidays everyone.  I'm finally making a move and getting started with an industrial designer.  I did pretty much all I could on my own, and I am going to give it to someone who knows what he's doing.  He only charges $20/hour which I have heard is fantastic.  He came via a referral from a lady I know from my inventor networking meetings.  We signed a non-disclosure agreement.

What advice can anyone give me on working with an inustrial designer?  Things I need to look out for?  Things I can expect to happen?  Important things to clarify from the get-go?, etc.

Thank you very much in advance.

Cheers,

Guy who hates his "real" job

I've worked with a freelancer industrial designer. He got referred to me by a Rapid Prototyping Company. So I know he's top notch and knows the in and outs of manufacturing.

As far as I know, they don't sign NDAs.  Because their next client may have a product/design similar to one he did for another client/project.  That puts him in a sticky situation.

So they don't sign NDAs for this reason. But they do keep your business/product in confidence. If word gets around they're passing designs to other people, he'll be out of work/clients... and get sued.

But wow. $20 per hour... sounds more like a CAD draftsman.  I paid $75/hr.

Things to look out for... References. Good communication skills. Talk to him and see if he understands your requirement or "gets it".  See if he can talk/explain things to you, explain technical things in a level you can understand. (I'm very technical in other areas, but he explained things to me that I do not understand in his area.)

Make clear on the rates. Are you paying him per hour, or a fixed fee for a deliverable.

Some I.D. have strong working relationships with other companies and they can manage your product from design to a working prototype (for an extra fee, retainer fee, etc). You don't have to deal with the factory/manufacturer, he talks to them at their technical level, and he talks to you at the business level.

A good ID will also give/offer you suggestions on how to make your product easier and cheaper to manufacture, and if there are cost implications for doing it one way vs. another way.

A good ID will ask MANY questions from you. Details matter. Things you didn't even think of, will matter much to him. This is where good communication skills come in. If your ID isn't doing this, and you just had a short chat with him and he's ready to go... hmmm, he may come out with a product that is not exactly what you envisioned.

Biziness,

 

Thanks for your reply and advice.  I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to keep going with this guy.  I am pretty much getting what I'm paying for at this point.  The initial stage was going to be some initial drawings/sketches, and he is about a month late at this point.  He said it was going to take him a maximum of 6 hours.  What is most frustrating is that he is not keeping in touch with me at all, and he offers up excuses when I reach out. 

It's a tough situation because he is so cheap, but he is not impressive at all.  It sounds like he knows what he is doing and he had good ideas right off the bat, but this is a big red flag.

What are your thoughts (anyone) on even needing a prototype?  I hear a lot about how people try to secure licensing deals with CAD drawings and solid sell sheets.  I imagine it depends on the product and whether it's the type of thing that people need to see in action? 

Thanks again for your reply.  I appreciate the tips.

bigPhil

Phil,

 

You really get what you pay for.  Especially with designers.  Verify referances before you start with anyone.  They can always say 5 bucks an hour and charge you for the hours they sleep because they dreamt about your project.

Make sure you put a limit up front on how much you want to spend on design work.  that might help speed things up.

I can recommend some good ones I have worked with before if you like.

Prototypes are vital in my opinion.  Not just because it's what I do. LOL

I work with companies like Boeing, Rockwell, and Black & Decker.  They all get prototypes.  They go through several revisions in fact, on every part.  They have some very smart guys too, it doesn't matter how smart you are.  Until you put it in action you cannot know how well it will work.  Once you see it in action changes will have to be made. 

The design will evolve several times once you get the prototype.

I cannot think of any instances in 15 years of prototyping that someone went to production with the first revision, not one.

Plus nothing connects a person to a product like tactile contact.  Whether your selling the idea, looking for venture capital, or marketing it yourself. 

 

 

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Chris Wentworth Owner Action Prototype & Urethane Casting 714-978-0333

APUC,

 

Thanks for your reply.  Definitely some valuable advice.  I am truly getting what I'm paying for at this point with this 20/hour guy.  Not only has he missed the deadline on the 1st stage of sketching by 1.5 months, he has not been communicating with me at all.  Everytime I ask for a status report, he gives me a lame excuse. 

Not a good start.  I definitely might take you up on your contact if this guy doesn't workout. 

Thanks again,

bigPhil

Not a good sign. I saw run away.

Communication is the key when working with I.Ds.

MY ID guy was emailing me, and even calling me on the phone to ask questions, or keep me appraised of the status.  Delivered all the PDFs, Solidworks file, and extras like 3D renderings (that I didn't even ask for.) It only took a few days.

What are your thoughts (anyone) on even needing a prototype? 

I go through prototypes at least 2x or 3x or even more. And even then, once the product is in production, it is continually improved. Prototypes are a MUST.

I hear a lot about how people try to secure licensing deals with CAD drawings and solid sell sheets.

Myths?

I imagine it depends on the product and whether it's the type of thing that people need to see in action?

Unless it's proven/shown to work (which is what a prototype does), it's nothing more but a bunch of drawings on paper. Not worth anything at all.

You gotta have a prototype.

Sounds like you got what you paid for with your ID guy.  Hopefully you were able to resolve your design issues and at least see initial concepts.  I would be careful in the future.

Note, when it comes to contracting an industrial designer, product developer or mechanical engineer - you must insure that the designer is experience with materials and manufacturing processes.  It is too often that someone gets a bargain rate and then receives "concept" ID work that is not realistic or manufacturable.  A 3D CAD file is only as good as the designer/developer's experience with designing for manufacturing.

Regarding the comment on prototyping, the answer is YES!  Infact protoype several iterations to insure that your idea works, the aesthetic and size/volume is correct and ergonomics are well thought out.  Whether you are looking to license your idea, sell or pitch the idea to a company or seek manufacturing - the better developed idea with a tangible mock-up, appearance model, SLA parts or working prototype will help communicate the concept and seal the deal.

I've got 22+ years in the biz and have designed products and equipment for global brands - working directly with factories in the US, EU and Asia.  Believe me - I've seen some pretty shotty designs and CAD files that are a waist of time.

See: www.studiomoyadesign.com

Cheers,

Joe

We develop everything ourselves using 3D software. and other CAD tools.  We're engineers with award-winning products.  We do have some bandwidth to work on outside projects.  We do just about every thing - see our own products on our web site. No, we're not good in Webpage design.

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Go Green and put more money onto your bottom line with award-winning LED-based light bulbs PearlLED. If you manage a good sized store/business and want to boost the bottom line, call us!

Actually, you should make sketches and simple drawings in paper yourself first, if you do have the industrial designer's drawing, even better.

Then, I recommend you take the sketches and give it to hand model makers and build a few non-functional prototype either in clay or plastic or metal (whatever appropriate to your product). Typically I got this done for around few hundred dollars. You can take these hand models to show & exhibition and start talking to potential customers. You can take photos and start printing flyers and put up web site. If the feedbacks are good and positive, make changes and corrections, and build a few functional prototypes next. Now, you can do demo and start booking for sales.

Do you make the mistake of talking to designers or mold makers or tool makers or production manufactures too early. All they want is to put your product in 3D Pro-Engineer drawings and straight to tooling for mass manufacturing.

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