What Is the Difference Between Product Design and Product Development?

Budding experts in product design and development tend to have some difficulty in delineating these two confusing and sometimes overlapping areas. The tendency is some would regard these two processes as one and the same. This could work for some companies and offices that might have the same dynamic team for the two processes. However, it should be noted that the differences between the two should be identified for a number of reasons.

Knowing the difference is important because each process requires a different set of skills. Furthermore, if we regard them as the same, the tendency is that we might be tasking the person who is an expert on product development to also take charge in product design, even if the person may not necessarily have the skill set for it. While the two are interrelated processes, it is important to still acknowledge what makes them different. 

Product design is mainly concerned with basically that: the design of the product itself. This means that the process involved here is mainly the conceptualization of what the product, such as an electronic device, is going to look like. It also involves thinking about what sets the product apart from competitions in the market, as well as the features that supply new needs in order to provide for the demands of the clientele. Creating the actual product design, may it be in the form of a blueprint or other three-dimensional sketches drawn by hand or using a computer software, is a separate skillset altogether. The specifications necessary should also be included.

Thus, a product design personnel should have the capacity to identify what the market needs at the moment and how the company would supply the needs. This involves innovative researchers who are able to understand how the minds of the target consumer works. In addition to that, the personnel should also have the skills to conceptualize the product in terms of its technical aspects so that it would be easy for him or her to identify if a certain feature that supplies the need is possible given the nature of the existing product line.

Product development refers to the whole process of manufacturing the product. Starting from the created design, the product development expert would create a prototype. Afterwards, the prototype will be tested until the most optimal specification is met for mass production. The product development also involves handling the manufacturing process and preparing the product for rollout.

Product design and development will then converge together as they evaluate the market reception towards the product. They will also have to evaluate what the whole process of electronic device manufacturing in order to identify areas for improvement.

These two processes are important in manufacturing any product, from electronics to appliances to automobiles and everything in between. While these two things are different, one should also take note that these two products should go along well so that the product creation would be a successful venture. Understanding what each process is can thus go a long way in electronic manufacturing and other industry endeavors.