How and where to get designs made?

[RobbieKB]

I've been toying with the idea of my own start-up for a number of years, however there has always been one aspect which is intimidating to me: how and where do people get their products made?

I do a lot of photography and I've designed camera bags and lighting among other non-photography related items but I simply do not know where to start. A woman I used to know made some good money by designing bracelets and having them made in China but I can't contact her to ask how those contacts were acquired.

I am openly naive to starting a company that sells a tangible product and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jonamv8]

You need a product designer. When you say tou have designed camera bag etc, are we talking hand drawn sketches or conputer models?

[jonnydm]

Not sure if this area of design is his bag (pun intended) but worth contacting the PHer Beefmeister http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...

[RobbieKB]

jonamv8 said:

You need a product designer. When you say tou have designed camera bag etc, are we talking hand drawn sketches or conputer models?

Oh yes, sorry I don't profess to be a product designer. My 'designs' are done in Photoshop although I am capable of doing 3D renders, albeit not very good. My query is really a rather general one: when you have adequate designs, where do you go next?

jonnydm said:

Not sure if this area of design is his bag (pun intended) but worth contacting the PHer Beefmeister http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...

Ah excellent, thank you. I might message him for further advice.

[Smiler.]

Depends with what materials.

I have metalwork made for me (funnily enough by a PH'er & PCB's by a mate of a PH'er).


Both these chaps are excellent & helpful & it's very much a partnership.

I do all the 2D & 3D modelling & a lot of the research.


It's time consuming but rewarding when is works. My stuff is not mass produced (10 - 50 items at a time).


Searching for sound, reliable component suppliers is a big problem for me at the moment, hence my visit to this forum today for some advice (another thread).


Good luck

[jammy_basturd]

RobbieKB said:

jonamv8 said:

You need a product designer. When you say tou have designed camera bag etc, are we talking hand drawn sketches or conputer models?

Oh yes, sorry I don't profess to be a product designer. My 'designs' are done in Photoshop although I am capable of doing 3D renders, albeit not very good. My query is really a rather general one: when you have adequate designs, where do you go next?

Designing, making then marketing is the road to spending thousands on potential products that are likely to never sell well.

Instead, design the products, even pay a professional to do the final renders, but then market them. You could either use something like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to take pre-orders, or just sling up a basic ecommerce site that takes orders (but not payments). Get customer feedback from people in the street, see how well your products sell. Only when you find a product that people will pay for should you think about making it.

Also, people saying they would buy your product is no where near the same as people actually buying your product.

[Hoofy]

jammy_basturd said:

Designing, making then marketing is the road to spending thousands on potential products that are likely to never sell well.

Instead, design the products, even pay a professional to do the final renders, but then market them. You could either use something like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to take pre-orders, or just sling up a basic ecommerce site that takes orders (but not payments). Get customer feedback from people in the street, see how well your products sell. Only when you find a product that people will pay for should you think about making it.

Also, people saying they would buy your product is no where near the same as people actually buying your product.

Spot on!