04/10/11 5 Non-technical Steps To Choosing A Technical Design Team
Do not be put off or think of your own position being “inferior” because the technology that you might need is ahead of you. Technology is a tool. If you saw a man using an axe, the understanding of the axe (tool) would not phase you. You might be surprised at the man’s speed and accuracy which he has acquired through skill and practise. Technology based design is an educated skill. However, education is only a foundation; experience and practise are critical elements.
How you feel and approach the project and its team will greatly affect the overall outcome.- You are bound to have some sort of dialogue with the potential design team but it is the nature of the dialogue that holds the greatest key. The primary function of the communication is often perceived to be the outline of your needs or the specification. In reality the most valuable part of the communication is how you feel…
Are you put at ease? Are your questions handled with an educational/ informative tone or an air of superiority? Can you work with this person/team? - A good design outfit will have a commercial view of your product or project and be able to advise accordingly. Unless your project is solely related to research type activity, it is likely that you are looking to sell the ultimate creation as a product in a market.
The viability of the design is not just in avoiding manufacturing pitfalls – it requires a commercial insight too. You should gain a sense that the potential design team has this. - Electronic Product Design is an example of where several disciplines are involved. It is important to bring all members of the team together early in the project. These days it does not matter if the Industrial Design team is in London and the Electronic Design team is in Cornwall. Collective communication can be readily set up and have all parties to share in the origination. This is not to create a design by committee – it is to ensure that there are no major (costly) problems created by choosing one path in ignorance of the implications elsewhere.
Commercial design teams will often say “yes” to the project to win it - that’s natural. You are very likely to be able to sense whether the person/team is genuinely able to present a coherent picture of experience with other disciplines. - Good design should conclude in such a way that you have the product that you need and the freedom to use it as you see fit. Right at the start, find out how your potential team deal with Intellectual Property Rights and the transfer of all rights and data to you.
You should be given all rights on conclusion in normal design contract but this is not always the case. These rights should also be backed up with an openness that is free of technicalities or terminologies aimed at creating a smokescreen. Again, your early dialogue should soon give a perception of how open and fair minded the design team is.
Posted by: Peter Hawkins on 04/10/11.