Our One Dirty Little Secret

Developing products from scratch is a complex, multi-faceted, time-pressured process that requires coordination between multiple teams and often multiple companies. It’s our job as industrial designers to create products that are not only visually attractive but also user-friendly, functional and (pause for effect) profitable. Neon Moss nails this and we can say that proudly. Our "one dirty little secret" is project management…something designers hate to talk about, but quite literally is the most fundamentally critical part of product design.

‍

Steve Jobs was fired for seeking perfection and underperforming. When he was rehired he laid down what became one of the most famous design quotes of all time: “Real artists ship.”

‍

Effective project management plays a crucial role in driving successful product design, from ideation to commercialization. The industrial design process is often iterative, involving multiple stages of ideation, prototyping, testing, and refinement. Without a clear process in place, the project can quickly become disorganized and inefficient. So, rigorous project management establishes a structured design process that outlines the steps to be taken at each stage and the deliverables to be produced. This helps to keep everyone on the same page, maintain focus on the end goal, and ensure that the project moves forward in a timely and efficient manner.

On an average project we will have industrial designers, engineers, user experience experts, scientists, marketers, CEOs, COOs, CMOs, CTOs, a branding agency and a fair number of impatient investors. Each has their own set of goals, timelines, and requirements, which can easily become disconnected without a guiding hand.

Product design can be a resource-intensive process, requiring significant investments in time, money, and materials. Effective project management helps to optimize these resources by identifying potential risks, allocating them efficiently, and monitoring progress throughout the process. By having a clear understanding of the project scope and requirements, project managers can prevent unnecessary expenditures and ensure that resources are used effectively to achieve the desired outcome.

However it’s not without its challenges, from unexpected design revisions to production delays and supply chain disruptions. Effective project management anticipates these risks, develops contingency plans, and provides solutions to keep the project on track. Our team plays a critical role in identifying potential roadblocks early on and addressing them proactively, ultimately contributing to a more successful and efficient product development process.

If you’re a potential Neon Moss client, it’s important to note that this “one dirty little secret” may make or break your product launch. If you’re an industrial designer, take classes in project management. It will pay dividends. It establishes a clear design process, coordinates multiple teams and disciplines, manages resources efficiently, and addresses challenges and risks proactively. Plus, everyone gets paid. Happy days.

‍