What to Consider Before Designing a Product

Designing a product goes far beyond having a great idea.

Before you start sketching or thinking about materials, there are a few key things to keep in mind to create something truly useful, relevant, and viable.

In the course Research UX: Find Ideas and Design Better Physical Products, industrial designer and instructor Valkiria Ictus shares essential tips to lay a solid foundation before jumping into design.

1. What problem are you solving?

Every successful product starts with a real need. Define clearly what problem you’re trying to solve, and for whom. This will help you approach your design from the user’s perspective, not just from the form.

2. Know your user

Preliminary research on your target audience is essential. What are their habits? Their expectations? How do they use similar products? Understanding these things will help you make more informed design decisions.

3. Usage context

Where and when will the product be used? Designing for outdoor use, medical environments, or children’s use requires very different approaches. The setting affects materials, form, size, and features.

4. Competitors and references

Before you dive in, check out similar products and analyze how they solve (or fail to solve) the problem. It’ll inspire you, help you avoid common pitfalls, and reveal potential areas for improvement.

5. Technical and production constraints

Your design must be feasible. Consider manufacturing processes, available materials, and production costs. Ignoring these aspects can make your product impossible to produce.

6. Define your goals

What do you want your design to achieve? Do you want to innovate, make it more accessible, reduce environmental impact? Having a clear goal will guide every decision throughout the process.

Designing without research is like building a house without blueprints

, says Valkiria Ictus, instructor of the course. Doing your homework early on will save time, mistakes, and frustration later.