European Regional
Development Fund

Project Part-Financed
by the European Union

product design 3d colour printing concept development

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We thought you might find the following links useful:

For the Patent Office; click here

For the Design Council; click here

If you are UK based and want help to start a business; click here

If you are interested in knowing more about 3D Printers; click here

If you are looking for grant assistance; click here

Electronics Yorkshire has produced a great guide on how to get products developed

With thanks to Inspiral for their help in getting Fripp Design started, contact Inspiral to start your business

We like www.coroflot.com www.designboom.com www.itsnicethat.com

About Fripp Design

Fripp Design is a young and dynamic product and concept design company. Formed in 2005 by Tom Fripp and Sue Roberts; Fripp Design wanted to give young talented designers the opportunity to excel in the world of product design and concept design. Tom himself is a Master Graduate in Product Design and Rapid Prototyping (he gets embarrassed when we tall every one it was with distinction too!). In the past 3 years we have designed a variety of products for different clients all operating in diverse markets. The overriding philosophy is to design assuming we are designing our own product to take to market (in fact we actually do have a number of products under development which we intend to take to market!).

We're not ageist (the MD is 42!) but our designers are all under 30; typically being out of University for 2-3 years only. This means we have great talent which can think out of the box and are not constrained by conventional thinking. If you need to design something new, refresh an existing product range or simply design something different from the norm; then Fripp Design is for you.

What follows is general information about Product Design. We've borrowed it from a variety of reference sources so would not want to claim credit for what is stated. If you have your own views about what Product Design is (or should be); feel free to get in touch with Tom.

Design Consultancy

Design Consultancy is a process that involves seeking technical advice regarding a particular design concept. Design Consultancy is often a complex process and is also something that is secretly kept. This is because product design and design consultancy can involve millions of dollars depending on the potential success of a design. Design Consultancy has to be carried out in a professional manner, and it is common for companies to be very careful about whom they choose for Design Consultancy. There are different kinds of services in the market that provide Design Consultancy for different industries. You need to know which industry your design comes under in order to seek suitable services.

Product Design

Product Design (also Product Designers) is known as idea generation. It can also be called concept or product development. Product Design (also Product Designers) is a stage before it is realized as a product. However, there may be a lot more work put in before it is turned into an actual product. This is because there may be a lot more work to do before turning an idea into a complete product that sells. Product Design (also Product Designers) is based on creativity, and it may be conceptualized by an individual or a group of individuals. Product Design (also Product Designers) may require technical knowledge as well depending on the complexity involved in a concept.

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping involves an automatic construction process to produce physical objects. Rapid Prototyping makes use of solid freeform fabrication. A Rapid Prototyping process makes use of virtual designs that are produced on computer aided design (CAD). These virtual designs are also produced on animation modeling software. These designs are transformed into fine, virtual images that are horizontal cross-sections. The final but step-by-step process of Rapid Prototyping involves creating each cross-sections of these designs in physical space, subsequently. When all cross-sections are produced, the model is said to be complete. There are a variety of applications that make use of Rapid Prototyping because the process is believed to be accurate.

Concept Design

Concept Design is also known as idea generation. Unlike Product Design (also Product Designers) which focuses on the nuts and bolts of design, Concept Design pushes the boundaries of Product Design (also Product Designers). Concept Design asks what if rather than how. Concept Design is many stages before an idea is realized as a product. For Fripp Design, Concept Design starts with researching structures and other products that may not be directly involved in the design itself; but gives us inspiration on how to tackle the brief given. Following on from the initial market research, Concept Design evolves into sketching; starting with complex shapes; narrowing down to the essentials; communicating what is key to the Concept Design. It is only after this stage do Fripp Design consider using surface modelling CAD packages, turning an idea into something that look real.

Developing your channels to market

Channels to market is key in any product development; the 4 P's of Product Price, Place, Promotion are key in developing your channels to market. Certainly the realms of Product Design are key to developing the Product and the Price. However the development of the channels to market comes under the realms of sales and marketing. Many organisations bundle the role of sales and marketing into one function. but they really are as distinct as Product Design and Product Manufacturing. Marketing is certainly in the realms of product strategy and defining who the customers are and how they buy. Sales is in the realm of developing the channels to market turning strategy into tactical outputs.

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