1 / What’s a designer?

It is very complicated to define the designer profession because of the multiplicity of practices and approaches. We offer the following incomplete definition: a designer is a professional specializing in the design of user experiences. In the product field he is in charge of ergonomics, identity, user value, aesthetics … He is involved in all technical choices and often makes the link between marketing and ‘engineering.

2 / What’s a product design agency?

A product design agency is a company specializing in the development of new products with a technical and strategic approach. It can perform all or part of the following tasks, without the list being exhaustive: market study, customer and need studies, competitive, social and technological watch, strategic positioning reflections, search for product solutions (concepts ) prospective or applied, style study, mechanical design, prototyping, usage tests, industrialization … Discover the services of the OUTERCRAFT agency. 

3 / Who works with a product design agency?

All companies involved in the production and / or marketing of products, and aware of the strategic challenges of design, are likely to call on a product design agency. For companies that do not have in-house designers, the design agency will be in charge of all product development. For a company with internal designers, the design agency will bring a fresh look to the most strategic projects or strengthen the teams in the event of increasing workload. All sizes of companies are concerned from the project leader to the large group. Find out more with this article.

4 / What’s the difference between a designer and an engineer?

The designer will guarantee that the solution offered on the market best meets the expectations of customers, explicit and implicit. The engineer will make sure that the solution proposed on the market is technically mature and robust, that it respects the technical specifications and production costs. The designer will have a more sensitive and strategic approach and the engineer more technical and scientific. Together, engineer and designer can perform a large number of tasks such as finding solutions and materials, 3D modeling, project management … These two profiles are complementary and both necessary for the design of a new product. The OUTERCRAFT multidisciplinary team.

5 / What’s the design thinking method?

The design thinking method is an analytical design method that can be applied to a wide range of practices. Its purpose is to “put the user at the center of thinking”, that is to say, to make sure to seek a solution for a market and not a market for a solution. Natural for some companies, this way of working is a revelation for others. It minimizes risk and optimizes the commercial success of a project. Discover the OUTERCRAFT design thinking method.

6/ When to contact a designer?

It is preferable to contact a designer or a design agency once you have defined the ambition or the stake of a project but before having found a solution. It’s the designer’s job to provide you with solutions based on an outside view of your project as your clients or future clients may have it. However, you must be able to answer very precisely questions concerning the markets or the investments to be respected. If your technical solution has been decided, the designer can help you make it aesthetic and attractive. Contact OUTERCRAFT.

7/ Quel est le métier de l’agence Outercraft ?

OUTERCRAFT is a product design agency specializing in innovation. We support companies of all sizes in the development of new products, from the study of needs to industrialization. We have the particularity of having a mixed team of designers / engineers and a large prototyping workshop. These specificities allow us to be more ambitious in the solutions on which we work by being able to show by the prototype the feasibility and the functionality of our ideas. Discover our services.

8 / How much does a designer cost?

The price of a designer is very variable. Generally it is calculated in daily price. A beginner freelance designer working alone will charge around € 400 a day while an experienced senior designer in an agency may sometimes charge well over € 1,500 a day. The choice of your designer should, of course, not be made in the first place depending on the price but on your feelings about his work. Also, don’t forget to assess their level of competence in relation to the level of ambition of your project, by asking them to present their projects for example. You’ll find that the starting price gap will quickly close. An experienced designer, who is certainly more expensive, will also probably work faster and will save you more money with a product that will be more successful. If you want to cost your project, contact us.

9 / What’s budget for a product design?

It is impossible to give an average budget for a design mission. The mission price is proportional to the number of working days that the agency plans to assign to your mission. This number of days depends on the technical complexity of your product but also on the level of further research you want. The higher your ambition for the project, the longer it will take to reach your goal. Of course, the amount of this design service must be considered as an investment which will be amortized on the sale of the product, just like a production mold. This is the factor that will define your budget. Tell us about your project.

10/ Pourquoi investir dans le design ?

There are two main reasons why to invest in design. If you want to launch a project because you are firmly convinced that success is at the end of the road and that you do not want to study your project with design methods to save money, you are free to do so. However, such a practice is very risky and the chances of success are very low. If you fail all of your investments, both in time and money, are lost. The design allows you to re-orient if necessary, validate the choices and develop your strategy to control the risk of losing big. Second reason, by investing in design you increase its perceived value of your product. So you can expand your market or improve your margins.

In both cases, earn money. It is not we who say it, but the statistics: “Companies that excel in the field of design increase their income and performance […] at a rate almost twice that of their peers in the sector. . “  (source : mckinsey.com) 

11 / Who are the best product design agencies?

There are a large number of product design agencies in France, Europe and internationally. Some only do product, others also graphic design, space, service, brand … The best agency will be the one with which you will feel confident and who will have understood in your problem and your strategy.

12 / How to become a designer?

There are many design schools with many different specialties. Following a university design course is the most common solution and you will come out with a solid technical and cultural background. It is up to everyone to find the path that best suits them to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and experience. Everything is possible. To become a good designer it will be a question of work, knowledge and ambition (and sometimes talent).

13 / What’s innovation?

To survive in today’s ultra-competitive markets, companies must offer products that are different from their competitors. But things are copied quickly and you have to find new ideas constantly. To innovate is to propose new solutions designed to improve the existing offer for a dedicated target.

Innovation is not just about offering something that others don’t. If it does not meet a market or the interest of a large group of people then innovation is not. Innovation is often subtle and progressive in order to be accepted. If you are interested in this subject, discover our method to find an innovative idea.

14 / What’s eco-design?

Eco-design is an approach to design (product, service, strategy) which gives importance to minimizing the environmental impact and promoting social benefit. The practices are very varied. We can cite without the list being exhaustive: carbon footprints, development of bio-based or biodegradable materials, upcycling, recycling, economy of functionality… Discover an example of an agency project relating to eco conception.

You have not found the answer to your question ? The whole team will answer you: by email, by phone or at the agency. Contact us.