Product development is a significant investment, which is why risk management is built into every stage of our process. We combine thorough market analysis with commercial strategy to identify and address potential issues early. For example, our approach often uncovers manufacturing challenges during the design phase, helping clients avoid costly tooling modifications later. By spotting and solving problems before they impact production, we help protect your investment and keep your project on track.

For larger companies and SMEs, IP protection is crucial. We have robust processes to protect your intellectual property from day one, including secure data handling and clear documentation of design decisions. We can also advise on design registrations and work alongside your patent attorneys to strengthen your IP position.

We understand that budgets need to deliver returns. Rather than just quoting a price, we help you understand where your budget will have the most impact. For example, investing more in early research might save significant costs in manufacturing. We provide clear cost breakdowns and help you make informed decisions about where to invest for the best commercial outcomes.

While we work nationally, our Manchester clients particularly value our straightforward Northern approach to product development. We speak your language when it comes to commercial reality - no fancy jargon or over-promising. Instead, we offer practical solutions that deliver measurable returns on your investment.

Many of our Manchester clients have internal capabilities but need specialist support at critical stages. We're experienced in integrating with in-house teams, whether that's providing specific technical expertise or adding capacity during peak periods. We adapt our involvement to complement your existing resources.

This is perhaps the most crucial question you need to ask before investing in product development. The hard truth is that not every idea, even if unique, deserves significant investment. A commercially viable product needs more than just novelty – it needs a clear path to profitability.

A successful product requires a detailed understanding of your target market and their specific needs. You need to have researched existing solutions and identified a genuine gap. Most importantly, you need to be confident you can manufacture and sell the product at a price point that makes business sense, with sufficient funding to support not just development, but also tooling, manufacturing, and marketing.

As experienced product designers, we've seen that successful products typically come from clients who have done their homework. They understand their market, have realistic expectations about development costs (typically starting from £30,000+), and have secured appropriate funding.

If you're at the early stages of your journey, we recommend first focusing on market research and business planning. This groundwork will help determine if your product has genuine commercial potential before making significant investments in development.

For those ready to move forward, we offer initial consultation sessions to evaluate your product's viability and discuss potential development pathways. These sessions can help you understand what's involved and whether professional product development is the right next step for your idea.