Five Steps from Concept to Reality - Stage 2

Five Steps from Concept to Reality

Stage 2. Design Development of 1 or 2 Concepts
Once you have 1 or 2 great conceptual designs then it is time to develop the concept to something that actually works. You can do this using a number of methods, such as, 3D CAD, Rapid Prototyping, CNC prototyping, or even Rough Mock-ups to establish a proof of concept early on in the process.
When you start developing your concept you should consider important aspects including what materials are best for your design, finishes, and what methods you will use in production. This will ensure that the concept you are developing can actually be manufactured at the end of this development.
If you find that your design needs to be altered in the concept phase don’t be afraid to deviate. This is still very early on in the creative process and developing a concept can often raise more questions than answers so being adaptable and evaluating your concept throughout this process is key to having a successful product.
When you finish your first design development of 1 or 2 concepts get feedback, test it on a colleague or even better a product user. This is a great chance early on in the development to see if the idea you came up with will actually solve a problem or even work.