Question 1

How do I get a patent?

Accepted Answer

A patent is a legal right which protects your invention. This gives you the exclusive right to make and sell products using the inventive feature for a limited time (up to a maximum of 20 years in the UK).

Question 2

How do I make a prototype of my idea?

Accepted Answer

During product development you will want to produce multiple prototypes to test the design, gain user feedback, use to seek investment and marketing, and set your expectations with manufacturers.

Question 3

How to choose the right manufacturer

Accepted Answer

Choosing a manufacturing partner(s) is generally strategic and based on your product and its market, the wrong choice can cost you time, money, and credibility. The strategy will determine which consideration should be favoured above another.

Question 4

How to design a patentable product

Accepted Answer

Everyone wants to secure the protections of a patent, it gives you the exclusive right to make and sell products using the inventive feature for a limited time and this can give you a huge advantage in the tricky early adoption stage.

Question 5

How to get funding

Accepted Answer

Getting funding or investment for an idea is not the easiest of tasks, but if you have a good idea and can prove the market potential is strong, then you are in a good position.

Question 6

How to redesign a product to be more sustainable

Accepted Answer

Sustainability is becoming ever more crucial, from an environmental standpoint, but also from a marketing and legal perspective. Many companies are trying to improve the sustainability of their current product lines.

Question 7

How to tell if an idea is worth developing

Accepted Answer

It is very common for the person that has come up with an idea to think it is amazing.

Question 8

What are the differences between product design, industrial design and UX design?

Accepted Answer

Product design is best for creating and developing products that solve real user problems while meeting business goals. Industrial design is better when the focus is on the physical form, materials, ergonomics and usability of objects that are manufactured.

Question 9

What are the stages of the development process?

Accepted Answer

Product development can be a daunting undertaking even for experienced businesses. This is partially due to the high degree of uncertainty and up-front cost involved.

Question 10

What is 3D printing?

Accepted Answer

3D printing is a method of creating physical 3D models from digital files.

Question 11

What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?

Accepted Answer

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the simplest version of a product that delivers core value to users while allowing teams to test, learn, and improve with minimal effort.

Question 12

What is product development?

Accepted Answer

Product development is the process of creating a new product and bringing it to market. This starts with conceiving an idea, creating a brief and goes through several stages, prototyping, engineering, testing until the product is manufactured and sold.

Question 13

What is the difference between product design and industrial design?

Accepted Answer

Both industrial designers and product designers focus on creating products that offer the best possible customer experience.

Question 14

What is the Double Diamond process?

Accepted Answer

The double diamond design process is a visual framework developed by the UK Design Council that breaks problem-solving into four stages: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver.

Question 15

What is the product life cycle?

Accepted Answer

The term product life cycle can refer to two different concepts: The life of the physical components of a singular product from raw material, through production and use to disposal.

Question 16

Why do products fail?

Accepted Answer

This is a guide aimed primarily at start-ups and inventors. Throughout the years we have helped many projects to market but there are still a number who fail.

Frequently asked questions

IP & patents

Prototyping

Manufacturing

Funding & cost

Sustainability

Product development

Design

Development process

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