The PDMA Handbook of New Product Development

25.10. Design Refinements for Manufacturing and Product Launch

As the design progresses through the detail design stage and transitions to manufacturing, industrial design continues to play a role. This role is somewhat diminished in intensity, but continues to ensure that the design intent is maintained. Industrial designers should participate in contact with vendors, molders, fabricators, and the assembly line personnel to communicate the design quality expected beyond what is expressed in the drawings or database. Again, the industrial designer's motivations are to maintain a focus on the details so that they are resolved correctly while maintaining a holistic view of the product and its anticipated appeal to the end user. Creativity is still required at this late stage, as attention is shifted to fine-tuning the final look and functional aspects of the product.

Industrial designers are also an effective link to marketing because they often support the market launch activities (see Chapter 30). The designer's influence can extend to related items such as packaging, manuals, and other promotional and marketing materials, with an intimate knowledge of the users and the market. Keeping industrial designers involved with graphic designers in the development of these materials helps to carry the user-centric intent and brand theme throughout the entire product introduction.

Even after product introduction, industrial designers should stay involved. If product development is considered ...