How do brands make good decisions?
We focus on the process of research and design that leads to a deep understanding of performance and aesthetic criteria- and translating that criteria into the forms and materials of beautiful products for the world’s leading brands.
Each step in a well-planned project builds confidence in the design and expression of a brand. Early identification of the brand character, user expressions and needs, and the relevant trends helps identify and reinforce the decisions made throughout the design, development and specification phases. This iterative process of experimentation and inquiry confirms known opportunities and highlights new ones.
Our Services
User Experience Understanding
Trend Research and Analysis
Design Ideation and Development
3D Modeling and Rendering
Color, Materials and Finishes specification
Material development and design
Colour development and design strategy
Product Prototyping and Development
Design Process
User Experience Research
A deep understanding of the user’s needs and functional criteria is derived from a range of investigations. Focus groups, online dialogues, and immersive activities highlight the challenges with current solutions and aspirations for future solutions for a range of products. Identifying the key persona that aligns with a brand’s user groups helps form a clear focus for the design team.
Trend Research and Analysis
With years of experience and a global perspective, our design team surveys relevant trends in fashion, architecture, product, and transportation design to identify shifts in consumer behavior and desires. This research results in a distilled understanding of the particular qualities and attributes that a product needs to have to be successful and appropriate to the end user and the brand it represents.
The approach to colour application is one of the strongest indicators of a brand’s alignment with its consumers, its core values and style, and its vision for the future. By exploring tonality, proportions, and contrast we identify key strategic trends in the consumer’s environment that are appropriate as a foundation for CMF themes.
Ideation
The first read of a product’s expression is defined by its proportion, form, and surface. By exploring many different styles, techniques, and approaches to sketching, we look for the most compelling resolution to the design problem.
Design Development
Continuing to define the surface, materials, and details of the product is an ongoing process. Options are defined, aligned with engineering criteria and manufacturing constraints, and the process of down-selection builds confidence in the final design.
3D Modeling and Rendering
An important part of the design process is the repeated visualization of options for the evaluation of design character and expression. Representing the design options in context is essential for demonstrating the new opportunities.
Specification
The final materials, colors, textures, and graphics are an integral part of the design expression and bring richness to the product. With years of experience in the specification of materials for aviation interiors, consumer electronics, apparel, and sports products our team has the competency to complete material development with suppliers in a broad range of industries. Whether working on the development of a new textile, paint color, or surface finish, our CMF designers express the language of design in a way the manufacturer understands.
Material development and design
With a strong background in textile design and development, we develop new collections and brand specific products for aviation, rail, and furniture applications.
Colour development and design strategy
Colour is emotive and recognisable purchase driver. 85% of shopper’s place colour as the primary reason for buying a product.
Colour in the right proportions and combinations attracts customers and create environments that feel welcoming.
Planning colour in product development on multiple different material substrates in both a technical and emotional challenge. It requires skill and refinement to achieve the right balance. Planning the right colors can maximize investment in a minimum of stock keeping units SKU.
Product Prototyping and Development
Physical prototyping is an essential step in the iterative process of design and development. It confirms the feasibility of the product, and provides richness to the details. Our experience in prototyping extends from fully functional business class show seats to soft goods – each scale presents unique challenges and opportunities to refine the design.