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Design Process

All you need to understand the basics of any design process!

In our studio, we believe that the design process resembles a funnel:  parting from the concept or the specific need provided by the client, we engage in a broad and general research on the subject. From this research, different ideas and solutions are born! At this stage, together with the client, we choose the most appropriate solution, finally developed into detail, resulting in a great final product design!

Every field of design has its own specific phases but in the end, they all follow the same main steps: brief, research, concept ideation, design, prototyping (or printing tests and 3D model for graphic and interior design) and production.

Design Brief.

Design Brief.

The very first step in the process is to understand the client’s needs. During the first meeting, all questions are answered on both ends, usually accompanied by a brief document (written by the client) with all the requirements, guidelines and expectations of the project. This helps us fully understand and estimate the project and to set proper timelines. The studio usually sends the client a work-plan and estimates a day or two after this meeting.

Research.

Research.

Knowledge of what is already out there is a key for innovation. Therefore, only a broad research of the market will permit us to answer questions such as: “What’s missing in the market?”, “Who’s the competition and what can we offer better and differently?”, “Who are the ‘shelf neighbors’ of your product?”. By asking this type of questions, we'll find the best solutions for your needs and bring fresh ideas to the table, for your product to be unique and amazing, but still fit the market it’s going to.

Ideation.

Ideation.

This phase consists of hand sketches and/or CAD 2D sketches accompanied by notes. Followed by reviewing and discussing the pros and cons of the different concepts with the client and then choose together one concept for development.

Design.

Design.

Having chosen a specific concept, the studio begins developing it, usually in 3D CAD, including photo-realistic renders with colors and material options.

Prototype.

Prototype.

One of the most common and reliable methods of prototyping nowadays is 3D printing, an amazingly fast evolving technology, that offers a growing wide range of printable materials like plastic, rubber, metal, ceramics, concrete and many more. For materials that cannot be resembled in tangible 3D printing (fabric, wood or foam), there are always other solutions such as CNC, laser cutting, turning, spinning, sewing and mold making.

Drawings.

Drawings.

GaliaDesign provides the client with design drawings (not manufacturing drawings*) containing the general dimensions, materials and finishes of the product and its parts. Usually these drawings serve as a reference for quotes and presentations. Production Drawings will be done by a relevant certified engineer (last phase before production), which should include all final manufacturing files and drawings, depending on the manufacturer, machine limitations, tolerances of parts and similar data. 

Engineering.

Engineering.

After the client's approval of the final design, we proceed with the engineering phase and get manufacturing estimates. For this purpose, our studio collaborates with relevant certified professionals. This phase, also called “Design for Manufacturing Phase”, is the last phase before production, it’s done by a relevant certified engineer and should include all final manufacturing files and drawings, depending on the manufacturer, machine limitations, tolerances among parts and similar. 

Production.

Production.

After choosing the right technologies, getting quotes, having the product engineered, choosing the right manufacturer, arrives the time for production! 

Packaging.

Packaging.

Time to wrap it up!  This phase typically comes when the product design is done. For this purpose, the studio provides the client with exclusive packaging solutions according to the product, always considering cost, target market, brand attributes, purpose, functionality, volume, shipping, sustainability, labor costs, originality and more. . If you also need branding, the studio can certainly help with that as well!