Idea to fully working prototype? Specialised Design Companies vs Manufacturers Directly???

[Implacabilis]

Hey folks! Like every entrepreneur on the planet, I have a design concept I would like to prototype or potentially put into full production. The concept is a design variation of a specialised sports bag offering a better user experience and more functionality. I knew this was going to be an expensive process, even although no prior experience in this area. These things surely need a lot of careful care, attention, planning, and a lot of trials and errors. Going through a specialised design company and being offered expertise in each stage of the design process is of course invaluable. However, my dilemma is that a few very approximate quotes have come back from the design companies with figures in the region of between 6-8k. Tax on top of that, ordering the initial batch after the prototype is completed, as well as a large pre-launch marketing campaign, you're looking at 12-14k to complete the whole process and provide something of real value. I'm prepared to take that calculated leap of faith, and grind over the next 6 months to obtain the capital, but.....is there a cheaper more direct way to do this? I have contacted several UK manufacturers directly who have said they would work with me if I ordered 3-500 units. However, I need to see a working prototype to confirm the product is worthy of putting into production. I also don't think the manufacturers could produce a prototype just from the technical drawings I have. Certainly not to the very highest standard I need. i.e uncover many problems and offer viable solutions as we go through the design process. I need a more polished finished article. Something that will really make people stand up and acknowledge has real value and potential and take seriously. I really want to offer this product with the very highest quality, not just something that is just "ok" and might sell.

If anyone has any experience in this process or has gone through it themselves I would greatly appreciate any input and possible advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

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[Strategery]

Hey folks! Like every entrepreneur on the planet, I have a design concept I would like to prototype or potentially put into full production. The concept is a design variation of a specialised sports bag offering a better user experience and more functionality. I knew this was going to be an expensive process, even although no prior experience in this area. These things surely need a lot of careful care, attention, planning, and a lot of trials and errors. Going through a specialised design company and being offered expertise in each stage of the design process is of course invaluable. However, my dilemma is that a few very approximate quotes have come back from the design companies with figures in the region of between 6-8k. Tax on top of that, ordering the initial batch after the prototype is completed, as well as a large pre-launch marketing campaign, you're looking at 12-14k to complete the whole process and provide something of real value. I'm prepared to take that calculated leap of faith, and grind over the next 6 months to obtain the capital, but.....is there a cheaper more direct way to do this? I have contacted several UK manufacturers directly who have said they would work with me if I ordered 3-500 units. However, I need to see a working prototype to confirm the product is worthy of putting into production. I also don't think the manufacturers could produce a prototype just from the technical drawings I have. Certainly not to the very highest standard I need. i.e uncover many problems and offer viable solutions as we go through the design process. I need a more polished finished article. Something that will really make people stand up and acknowledge has real value and potential and take seriously. I really want to offer this product with the very highest quality, not just something that is just "ok" and might sell.

If anyone has any experience in this process or has gone through it themselves I would greatly appreciate any input and possible advice.

Thanks in advance.

Is there any way to make a prototype yourself? It doesn't have to be perfect, just prove the concept will work in theory. I don't see a reason to worry with MOQ's and production costs unless you've nailed down your market.

 

[Implacabilis]

Is there any way to make a prototype yourself? It doesn't have to be perfect, just prove the concept will work in theory. I don't see a reason to worry with MOQ's and production costs unless you've nailed down your market.

Hey! Thanks for your reply. I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to making this type of thing to be honest. I don't doubt if you spend enough time researching how to put something like that together, you would eventually come up with a prototype of sorts. My plan of attack was to get many initial prototypes made and introduce them to people who partake in that sport to start a feedback loop and continue to improve from there. Also to see if there is a market for it according to their reaction to the product. So I need the prototype to be top quality and close to the finished article. If I do this through the design company I know this would be easier to change. However can going through the manufacturers directly get the same outcome in terms of improvements? Has anyone gone through this process to bring a new concept or variation to an existing concept to market?

My gut tells me that going through manufacturers directly will be cheaper, however, would the finished product be as fine-tuned and polished ready to make an impact as with continual improvements from a specialised design company? I've no experience with this. Has anyone bypassed design firms and went directly to manufacturers? My guess is they wouldn't be so eager to offer continual improvements and suggestions to get the best possible final result, rather more interested in completing the order and starting production.

If anyone has went through this, any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kolslaw]

Is there any way to make a prototype yourself? It doesn't have to be perfect, just prove the concept will work in theory. I don't see a reason to worry with MOQ's and production costs unless you've nailed down your market.

Hi,
So I liked your thought about building a prototype yourself. Is your idea to build a few (say 20) and sell them myself online or tradeshows, to gauge the market and product efficacy?

 

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