Have you ever lay awake at night having had an idea which could potentially make you millions, but that is as far as the thought goes? I would say that many of us have at one stage thought of something which we think would make a brilliant product but then do nothing about it, why is this?
Most of us have watched the Dragons Den where inventors show off their product designs, ideas and concepts, hoping for funding and backing to make it to the big time, so why can't this be the case for all of us.
There are many steps which have to be taken in order to take a concept through to marketing stages, primarily ensuring your idea isn't stolen and used by someone else have to be the initial steps, finding out how you protect your product design is essential.
There are companies which provide consultation services, these companies can guide you through the mine field of IPR's (Intellectual property Rights) such as Patent, Trademark, registration and Copyright. Basically, IPR's grant the creator of a concept or product (works) certain controls over the exploitation of their works.
Once this is established discussion of your product design can follow, you may well only have an idea with no written works and little knowledge of how to pursue your idea, obtaining professional consultation at this point to progress your concept is invaluable.
Professional companies can assist by using computer programs to bring your product design to life, programs such as CAD, (computer aided design) are used in order to bring your product to life, making it a virtual product which can almost be touched, these designs can be used to make a prototype of your product.
A prototype can also be used to make sure that all specifications have been met in order to perform it specific function; it can also be used for further testing and to make modifications in order to meet strict British and European standards.
Product design is only one of the first steps from idea generation through to potential manufacturing, bearing in mind that manufacturing a product design has to achieve a realistic goal which is cost effective and marketable.
Marketability of a product requires huge amounts of research, for instance finding out whether there is a real demand for a product in retail or industry, making sure your product is saleable as well as pricing your product to be attainable whilst producing a profit is paramount, without researching these key areas there is no benchmark at which to set your product.
Again there are more steps to take before your product design goes into mass production, it could be that your concept requires computer or electronic components in order to function properly, perhaps you have limited knowledge regarding this part of manufacturing knowing what you want your product to do but not knowing how to achieve it, so finding out how to develop processors, chips, circuits or computer elements has to be sourced.
Taking a product design from concept through to marketing does not have to be a gruelling, arduous path, providing you do your homework, finding out the many steps which have to followed, knowing your creator rights, and researching the market which you are aiming your product at are all primary concerns, following this taking your product into the design and manufacturing process with guidance from people who understand what your are trying to achieve could just be the right steps towards making your first millions.
Author Resource:-
Anna Stenning researches the basic steps of product design which need to be implemented in order to take a concept right through to manufacturing.