Do you have the next best toy to hit the shelves? Are you the trendsetter developing the newest craze? Or are you simply diagnosing a problem and determined to create a product to solve it? Whatever your driving factor to market is, Purple Porcupine is committed to helping you through the initial, and often most intimidating, process of your journey to reach your consumer’s hands.
I’d like to spend some time walking you through Purple Porcupine’s process, to show how easy it can be and, hopefully, give you the confidence to pursue your idea without hesitation.
The Free Consultation
Our first step in understanding your project is a meeting between you, a sales representative, and one of our highly skilled CAD designers. This consultation is an in-depth review of the full scope of your project. Our conversation covers things like: existing hand-fabricated prototypes, examples of existing products for aesthetic review (if there happens to be a design you admire), a detailed overview of need or desired product function, and any available drawings. Yes… even napkin sketches.
The consultation allows us to communicate ideas from both sides of the table, on how the project would benefit from certain design features. We will also determine a method of production. It is always better to understand production before diving into the 3D design of your part, as it allows us to address or avoid certain design elements as we work through the project, rather than troubleshoot and add more work at the end of the process.
The Statement of Work & Proposal
After your free consultation, our CAD team reviews the details of the project and generates a Statement of Work (or SOW for short). This SOW outlines the design features of a project, as well as laying out the foundation and trajectory of your project.
Your sales representative will work with the CAD team to create a proposal for the cost of the work that has been outlined in the SOW.
We always recommend careful review of both, to avoid any misalignment in understanding of your project.
Product Development & Project Communication
Once the project is approved and initiated, we’ll go through a communication set up that invites all parties within the project to join a free app. This app allows our team to post updates, questions, and pictures in one place, giving you have easy access to review and comment.
Basically, it allows you to clearly see your project’s process.
A huge benefit is the almost real time feedback we have throughout the product development. For example, at no fault to any party involved, there have been times where a design feature is not in alignment with a client’s expectations. This does happen… and when humans are involved, it’s expected. Now we can recognize the bifurcation of expectations immediately, so it can be rectified just as quickly.
Without a doubt, the most important aspect of using the communication app is that it allows you to fully experience the development of your project, rather than wait in the dark for your design to show up at your doorstep.
When the development is completed, you can quickly segway into the next phase of your project. Whether that be 3D printing or jumping into production, you are well on your way to your end goal of getting to market!
To start your project today, send us an email at [email protected] or fill out our online quote request form. We look forward to working with you!
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Meet Mike Stone
As a Sales Engineer for Purple Porcupine, our prototyping service bureau, Mike helps guide people through the process of bringing their ideas to life. He focuses on the customer’s objectives, while remaining within their timeline and budget. What Mike enjoys most about Purple is working with fun and intelligent colleagues and clients. If you haven’t had the chance to meet Mike yet, stop by the office or connect with him on LinkedIn.
