The concept ideation phase lays the groundwork for a successful product design.

Geochord emphasizes a user-centered approach, which begins with examing
a user's "current world" related to the client's perceived product
opportunity -- then envisioning that user's ideal experience.

The gaps between the "current" and "ideal" experience represent "problems" that
can be solved with a well-designed product. Once these "problems" have been
clearly defined, intensive brainstorming sessions are used to generate as many
concept solutions as possible.

These concepts are then evalutated during the following phases to
converge on the final product design to bring to market.

Involving different disciplines is extremely beneficial during Concept Ideation,
such as: industrial design, engineering, human factors, marketing & manufacturing.

Creating a 3D CAD model of a product's design is essential these days
-- but achieving the subtle details of an industrial design can be challenging.

Geochord has extensive experience creating "Class A" surfaces
for complex geometry requirements.

All 3D models are built using a parametric top-down design methodology
to ensure overall product assembly quality.
"Virtual Prototyping" capabilities are also available for mechanism creation
and animation, to verify proper interaction between any moving parts
in an assembly.

Finally, 2D drawings can be generated for communicating
with the manufacturer, controlling critical dimensions,
as well as documenting design changes.

Engineering development focuses on the detailed design work
necessary to bring the product concept to a manufacturing level
-- while simulteously striving to maintain original design intent.

This phase can involve any of the following:
part break-out definition; geometry considerations for each part's material / manufacturing process (e.g. draft, wall thickness,...);
assembly approach and fastener selection;
rib / boss / snap locations; mechanism development;
ergonomic evaluation / iteration for optimal end-user experience;

Competitive benchmarking can also be employed to help reduce
development time, as well as providing a target for a
"best-in-class" product (e.g. ease-of-use, product quality, lowest cost,...).

Frequent communication with client / supplier(s) is critical in this phase
to minimize time-to-market, as well as to ensure the product meets design
and manufacturing requirements.

How can your product leverage recent advances in technology?

Incorporating these new technologies could improve product competitiveness
(e.g. easier to use, lower cost or energy consumption,...) and perhaps even
help generate free "wow" media coverage.

• new component technologies (e.g. eInk displays, touch-input devices,...)
• materials (e.g. Eco-materials, LiquidMetal,...)
• manufacturing processes (e.g. metal injection molding, electroforming,...)
• decoration technologies (e.g. in-mold decoration, laser etching,...)

The prototype-building stage is essential when developing any product.
A simple rapid prototype (e.g. SLA or Objet model) can provide
quick feedback on a design direction.

For a product with moving parts, a "breadboard" / functional
prototype (e.g. parts machined out of plastic or metal stock) may be
necessary to verify engineering assumptions.

Finally, prototype tooling can provide short-runs of parts using
the production process, which may be needed for reliability
testing and/or product certification
(e.g. www.ul.com/marks_labels/mark/mark2.html).