Idea Stage to Business Start-up

Developing fully scoped product propositions to inform future design work and launch planning.

We undertake all stages of the initial product development process, from analysis of the competitive landscape and market environment; to product costing, pricing and distribution. We conduct thorough segmentation and targeting work to understand the size of the opportunity, as well as the risks faced as the product progresses through the development cycle.

In essence, we explore the who, what, why, where and when of product development.

Everyone has ideas. Everyone has a perspective on needs and problems. We define strategies for gaining maximum value from key internal and external stakeholders enabling their creative contribution with co-creation processes.

We plan, host and conduct on-site, off-site and in-field workshops, using our extensive experience to tap into the most relevant sources, people and culture and extracting unbiased input.

With key opportunities and constraints defined, Concept Design explores the field of possible solutions, captured through sketching and breadboard model making (quick prototype).

The concepts are refined through a number of iterative stages and reviews, becoming increasingly detailed and functionally and aesthetically representative of the final product at each stage.

Inline with concept development, critical metrics are estimated (product cost, capital investment, LCA, initial FMEA/risk assessments etc). Customer research may be conducted to gain insight into how successfully the problem is being solved. This is a major milestone which sets design direction for detail design development.

Design Development takes the selected concept through technical and experiential development and eventually through to product launch.

(creative leadership, design, engineering, marketing, business development, strategy)

With 30+ years of business experience, we are able to add value to most challenges businesses are likely to face. From external perspective on decisions and strategic direction, to longer term assignments to improve people, process and culture.

A meaningful, value-add strategic plan becomes a living, working document. It helps align stakeholders and brings the clarity to measure and manage progress towards your goal. Be it capturing your first; bringing external perspective to a regular review; or facilitating a major update or change in strategic direction, we can help.

Your business plan captures your performance engine – how your business runs. By mapping it out, visually separating what’s known and unknown, you are better able to see issues and opportunities, challenge key assumptions, identify areas to gain greater insight and model new scenarios. This allows you to explore ways to pivot, improve and grow. We can guide you through this critical process.

Nurturing the right product experience through the development process and into production is hugely challenging and rewarding business process. Success demands intense multi-disciplinary work, keeping the voice of the customer central to every decision. This culminates in preparations for product launch, where there are many areas to consider. From developing packaging to briefing photography; from copy-writing to obtaining legal approvals and certification, we take a structured approach and can advise and work on all elements of the product prior to its launch.

Market opportunities are rarely simply defined, especially as you look across geography and culture. Mark & May takes a meaning-centred approach to better understand perception, capturing experiential values not just likes and dislikes. This enables deeper understanding of key characteristics, broader conceptual exploration and the examination of the potential value of different product strategies. It is rare that one product can fully address a market opportunity. Trying to deliver a product with the breadth to do so, more often than not leads to too much compromise. It is often better to excel with a narrower target and use success to bring additional products to market to more completely fulfil potential. Our approach helps you see these risks, make informed decisions and build your product portfolio strategy.

We don’t just develop products. We build great companies who become brands. We work to determine the core values and attitudes of a business and ensure these are reflected in everything you do, rolled-out cohesively and reflected in your corporate branding.