Our Skills

Project involvement

Our preference is to be involved from initial brief development right through to implementation. This involves detailed advice along the development path, liaison with toolmakers and manufacturers, quality and functional assessment of samples, and assisting into production. For many products we have managed full production on the behalf of clients.

Idea Assessment

• Product Feasibility Review
• IP (Intellectual Property)Assessment
• Strategic Planning
• Commercialisation Options

Getting started can be a major issue for those that are new to the product development process. We apply our experience in assessing feasibility, IP issues and planning for the best option to bring a new product to market.

Industrial Design

• Brief Definition
• Creative Concepts
• Product Design
• Styling
• Research & Development
• Design Detailing
• Sustainable Design
• Ergonomic Analysis
• Product Positioning
• Branding & Identity
• Trends Analysis
• Market Research
• Focus Groups

Our core activity is industrial design where we use creativity with the latest development techniques. Our collaborative team approach to projects ensures the best possible outcomes.

Engineering

• Value Engineering
• Engineering detailing
• Manufacturing Specifications
• Prototypes, Models & Test Rigs
• Performance Testing
• Product Implementation
• Statutory Approvals

It is imperative to get the engineering details right for product success. Material and manufacturing process selection, clever detailing, parts reduction and design for assembly speed contribute to profitability.

Manufacturing

• Co-ordination and Liaison
• Low cost Chinese manufacturing
• Component sourcing
• Design and supply
• Small & large production runs
• Project management

Low-cost Chinese Manufacturing

We have extensive experience in organizing and dealing with product manufacture in China. With the continuing trend in globalisation, companies are forced to manufacture products to particular price points. We can provide recommendations about Chinese manufacturers or organize and control complete product manufacture.

• Our Process

Product Design Development

We divide work into discrete stages to provide assessment points that ensure client control, cost assessment and project effectiveness. Our development process is varied according to client and project needs. A written project proposal with detailed cost estimates is provided without charge or obligation.

Phase 1 - Problem Definition

Design Brief - An accurate product design brief minimises development costs and lead time to implementation. The brief provides an opportunity to insure project fit into an overall business strategy.

Phase 2 - Creative Design

Creative Concepts - Ideas will be presented exploring features, structure, distinctive form and appearance to create a unique design. Sufficient detail is defined to ensure that concept ideas can be realised effectively.

Design Development - Favoured ideas are integrated into one design with resolution of all engineering details. For products, 3D solid model files and/or 2D reference drawings with all necessary specifications for prototyping are completed.

Phase 3 - Prototype & Finalisation

Prototypes / Test Rigs - Functional prototypes or non-working mock-up models or test rigs are made as required to prove the design and detailing. Prototypes are evaluated against the Design Brief and assessed by your marketing team.

Final Specifications - Depending on the assessment and/or testing of prototypes, some design details may need to be altered before issuing final manufacturing specifications.

Product complexity may dictate the need for further prototyping.

Phase 4 Implementation

Manufacturing - We can recommend toolmakers, manufacturers, part suppliers or other sub-contractors as needed. We can obtain quotations, liaise with suppliers, attend die trials or production runs and generally oversee the product into production. For clients without their own production facilities or do not want to get involved with the problems of manufacturing, Design Edge offers a design and supply service where we organise and take responsibility for both the design and production. We oversee manufacture and deliver finished products on time.

Archiving - During the project, all files, drawings, 3D models and other data is periodically backed up onto portable hard drives and kept off-site. At completion, we burn all data onto duplicate CDs for both client and Design Edge permanent archive storage.