Process

“The Diamond Diagram”

Our studio’s role is to study and identify what can be changed in the process, to make the difference and lead to a new, never-thought-of outcome.
How the Diamond Diagram works:
This process is called a diamond diagram because it creates a decision tree in the shape of a diamond:
At the top of the diagram, we engage with the concept or technology. The concept or technology are evaluated, challenged and examined for their feasibility. We then identify alternatives to compare and expand the options. From these options, we then choose the most suitable alternative(s) and develop them in full. Through repetition of this process, we constantly re-evaluate the different alternatives, removing those potentials that are not viable, eliminating options, and narrowing the diamond tree. At the end of this iterative action, we reach our conclusion at the bottom of the diamond, with the product and its production process fully optimized.

"Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results"
(Albert Enstein)
Marketing
Concept examination, subject research, market research, Client’s vision, Brief creation.
Concept development, Mood boards, Configuration creations. Options creation- usually 3 alternatives.
 Alternatives developments, Product development, prototyping, engineering, preliminary detail work, Modelling, and testing.
Copy, art, references for visual, and music, script
Storyboard, details work, production sourcing, see/hear, voice, music, asset creation, 1st cut
Post, revisions, and delivery
Product
Concept examination, product research, market research, Client’s vision, Brief creation.
Concept development, mood board Preliminary design, Configuration creations. Options creation.
Alternatives developments, Product development, prototyping, engineering, preliminary detail work, Modelling, and testing.
Configuration lockdown, details work, design freeze, manufacturer. and production sourcing.
Design for manufacturing, manufacturer’s Modelling, and production sample sign-off, tooling, sample test, and revising.
production, QC, revisions.

Our Approach

Values

Communication

Transparency

The Pareto 80/20 principle

AMA (Architecture; Mechanics; Aesthetics)

The type and quality of communication directly impact the process and result. We focus on precise communication to ensure that all of your project requirements are executed.

Ultimately, we are all judged by the results we achieve. To ensure the best possible outcome for your project, our team is committed to working with you totally openly. Relying on complete transparency when discussing data, risk, and the complexities of your project will help us in guiding you to the right decisions throughout the process.

To accelerate the process and product development in today’s ultra-competitive markets, projects require more than design attention and resources. They require decisive action; The Pareto 80/20 principle is the rule we follow. This rule states that 20% of your actions/activities will account for 80% of the results and outcomes. Through our collaborative process, we identify those decisions and factors that are essential to achieve an optimal result in a short time, reducing development resources and costs.

To ensure that your project has a solid foundation, from which all factors flow harmoniously, we follow a three-step methodology. We can compare this to the design and construction of a building.

AMA
A
Architecture
We first start with the grand layout and master plan. We identify the project and structure of what needs to be built. What is the essence of the plan? What do we strive to achieve? What are the objectives and deliverables
M
Mechanics
We will then consider how to construct and solve the issues that come with the requested results. During this process, we will overcome technical and mechanical problems.
A
Aesthetics
Finally, we will focus on the aesthetics of the project - colors, materials, textures, edits, look and feel of the product or assets, finding materials and finishes that set your product apart.

An essential factor of product design is to ensure that all components of a project are ready at the correct time. Our methodical approach results in confidence that deadlines are met and foundations are solid.

AMA (Architecture; Mechanics; Aesthetics)

To ensure that your project has a solid foundation, from which all factors flow harmoniously, we follow a three-step methodology. We can compare this to the design and construction of a building.

AMA
A
Architecture
Architecture- We first start with the grand layout and master plan. We identify the project and structure of what needs to be built. What is the essence of the plan? What do we strive to achieve? What are the objectives and deliverables
M
Mechanics
Mechanics- We will then consider how to construct and solve the issues that come with the requested results. During this process, we will overcome technical and mechanical problems.
A
Aesthetics
Architecture- We first start with the Aesthetics- Finally, we will focus on the aesthetics of the project - colors, materials, textures, edits, look and feel of the product or assets, finding materials and finishes that set your product apart.

An essential factor of product design is to ensure that all components of a project are ready at the correct time. Our methodical approach results in confidence that deadlines are met and foundations are solid.

Contact Us

Our team will reach out to help you

Join us on the mission!

Methods

01
Concept examination, market research, brief creation.

We will start the process by working with our clients in the creation and approval of a brief. This brief will be our guide during the design process and ensure that you as the product owner (or decision maker), and us as your partner, are aligned in the vision and goals of the project. To create this brief, we will undertake a study and review of your concept, technology, or innovation. This may involve case studies, market research, a feasibility examination of the technology, and product ecosystem. We will then assess potential avenues to creating a profitable innovative product / project. We will also study your brand, messaging, art, language, and tone of communication. We will create a coherent story that will reveal and confirm the voice and direction of the product or production.

02
Concept development, preliminary design, options creation.

Once the viability of the technology and/or concept is confirmed, and a firm brief is in place, we will develop the concept and create different options to explore, study and compare. As we expand the options we will start to evolve technological solutions, engineering, mechanisms, form/factor aesthetics, and design sketches to interpret and implement the concept and pathways. During this process, we will constantly check ourselves against the brief to make sure we’re on track.

03
Product development, detail work, modeling, and testing.

Weighing the alternatives that we created, pointing out the alternative to advance in develop- ment. The development stage includes tackling all aspects of the project with a deep dive into detailed work, creating CAD modeling, prototyping, testing, and analysis. By examining different options and trade-offs, and utilising client feedback to advance the development, we will create working models to understand how to improve product functionality and evaluate other aspects such as durability, ergonomics, and weight. We will then repeat the process several times until the model is accepted and fulfils the brief.

04
Configuration lockdown, details work, design freeze, manufacturer sourcing.

At this stage, we can start communicating the product details to manufacturers and sourcing.
‍
When it comes to industrial product development, ‘the design’ is not a stand-alone process. In the end, a factory would need to manufacture, deliver, and guarantee the price and quality of the product, as well as standards, regulations, and warranty.
‍
Each factory uses different tools and methods, technology, and has different capabilities. There are no two identical factories. If two factories manufacture the same products, we would get two different versions of the product.
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Once the design is final, we can start to source the right manufacturer for the product.
Every manufacturer, with the right experience, will have different suggestions and approaches to manufacturing and pricing. Therefore, in this stage, we suggest sourcing several manufacturers and have them involved in the process.
‍
Topic to consider:
• local / international manufacturing
• Supply chain Sourcing
• Configuration sign-off (no more additions or reductions)
• determines Pricing, logistics, and costs
• Manufacturing process
• standards documents.
• Product warranty
• Tooling

05
Design for manufacturing, manufacturer’s modelling, and production sample sign-off, tooling sign-off.

Once decided on the manufacturing partner(s), we will receive the manufacturer’s comments about the product for price, manufacturability, DFM, and other factors relating to production. We will make any necessary changes to the product and will combine with the manufacturer’s modelling and samples for product owners sign-off. We will also set up the testing and the QC elements of manufacturing. Once the design is frozen and factory samples approved, we will sign off on the electronic production files, technical files, and drawing tooling, pantones, and other components involved in the process and open production tooling,
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• Product modifications
• Travel to sign off on a finalist manufacturer.
• Product testing in the factory and setting up the QC standards
• Testing and inspection standards documents.
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM),

06
Production, Quality Control file, production samples

While agreeing on the manufacturing slot with the manufacturer, we will determine quality analysis and quality control requirements in each stage of the manufacturing process and understand how do we test and mitigate risk in the process.
‍
Once everything is in place, we can press the green button for manufacturing! During initial manufacturing, we will make sure the QC is in place and adjust quality requirements and make other decisions evolving from the first production run.

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+1 (323) 532-2146
info@ndsdesig.com
425 W 53rd st. New-York,
NY, 10019
NDS DESIGN LLC

425 W 53rd st. New-York,
NY, 10019

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