The average product designer’s salary in the US is $63,800. This is a significant outlay for a business, and you might want to keep costs down by outsourcing your product design.
But how can you outsource product design and get the best results? There may be many companies offering to work on your project, and you can’t afford to choose a partner that will produce shoddy work or overcharge for their services.
That’s why this guide is going to look at the most important aspects you should consider when selecting outside help with your product design.
Define Your Product Design Requirements
The first step is to have a clear understanding of your specific product design needs. You will be familiar with your business and know exactly how you want your product to look and function, but an external company will need precise details.
Write out your requirements and ensure they are easy to understand. If any points are unclear, you may need to simplify them before talking to an external firm.
Look for a Business With Industry Experience
If a business doesn’t understand your industry, it may not be the right choice for your product design requirements. For example, you may need to spend additional time explaining what you need. An inexperienced company could also make mistakes that delay the production process.
But, if you require the best custom bottle koozies with zipper immediately, you’ll want to partner with a business that knows your market. This can make it much easier to get top-class products that will impress your customers.
Ask for Recommendations and Testimonials
A business owner or salesperson could present themselves well even if their company isn’t professional. Unfortunately, you may not realize this is the case until it’s too late.
To avoid this scenario, you can read online reviews. You can also ask for recommendations from colleagues and other professionals in your industry. In addition, a company might have a list of client testimonials.
Performing your due diligence can help you find companies that are reliable and able to meet your standards.
Choose a Company With Exceptional Communication Skills
Communication is a key part of product design. If there are misunderstandings, mistakes can be made, costs can rise, and results can be less than satisfactory. This is even more important if you are communicating remotely.
For example, you may have sent an email asking for a feature on a product but then changed your mind. If the designer doesn’t check their emails or doesn’t read them properly, this could be a problem. You could even find that some product designers think they know best and ignore your suggestions.
This can lead to serious issues, and you might have to look for another external company. However, this doesn’t need to be the case if you set some simple ground rules.
This could include having specific times when you check in with each other each day. You could also ask that all changes have to be signed off by a senior manager before taking place. These safeguards can help you avert any potentially severe mistakes.
Ask About Cyber Security Measures
An outside company may be up to date on the latest product design trends and have fantastic product design ideas, but they still may not be the right partner for you.
Most communication now happens online, and having robust cybersecurity measures in place is essential. If a company is lax in this area, it could give up your confidential information. This could include a new product design that could be stolen by hackers and sold to your competitors.
Be sure to ask what cyber security safeguards are in place to ensure you are satisfied they are sufficient. If not, you won’t be confident about exchanging information about your products over the Internet.
Check an External Company’s Staffing Levels
One of the benefits of outsourcing is that you don’t need to hire more staff. This means you don’t have to plan around holidays or times when employees are sick.
However, an external company could be affected by these aspects. If they don’t have enough staff working on your project, this will have a negative effect on your business.
Therefore, you need to ask how many employees will be working on your project, and what will happen if any of these workers need to take time off. Knowing this information can help you better anticipate when your product design will be completed.
Look For Transparent Pricing
The initial cost of outsourcing could be attractive, but you should look for additional fees that could raise the final price. For example, you’ll want to ask about the cost of getting proofs and the price of redesigns for products.
If a firm is hesitant about confirming these costs, you should ask for the details in writing. It’s also a good idea to sign a contract confirming the fees. Should there be a dispute at a later date, you’ll be able to show what was agreed upon at the start of the project.
Outsource Product Design With Confidence
When you outsource product design, you can save money and get superior results. It’s important to look for a partner that has the experience, a stellar reputation, and strong communication skills. It’s also vital to work with a firm that has enough staff on board to efficiently complete the job, and that offers a reasonable pricing structure.
You can then look forward to having your products designed by a top-class company.
