Bringing a product to market takes more than a good idea. Having an idea is just the beginning; the real work starts with transforming that idea into a product that’s engineered, tested, and ready for customers. At Kickr Design, we guide you through the critical steps that move a concept from sketch to store shelf.
From Idea to Market: What Happens Next
If you’re here, you probably already have your idea. Now comes the hard part: making sure it can actually exist in the real world, and eventually be manufactured, distributed, and sold. Before a product can enter the market, it has to move through several key phases:
1. Product Strategy
Every successful launch starts with a solid strategy. That means understanding your target customer, researching the competition, identifying gaps in the market, and outlining a roadmap with clear milestones, deliverables, and requirements.
2. Concept Exploration
This is where ideas take shape. We evaluate existing products, sketch concepts, test multiple directions, and refine early designs. The goal is to determine the most viable path forward before moving into engineering.
3. Design & Engineering Development
With a direction chosen, our team creates detailed 3D CAD models, sources components, and begins engineering layouts. This phase includes technical testing and early prototyping to evaluate how the product performs in the real world.
4. Refinement & Prototyping
Once the foundation is in place, we refine the design, honing mechanisms, selecting materials, reviewing PCBs, and finalizing the look and feel. Then we build working prototypes, complete with cost estimates, fabrication, testing, and quality reviews.
5. Preparing for Manufacturing & Market Launch
This is where people get stuck. Prototypes don’t equal market-ready products. Before production, your product needs design validation, supply chain planning, compliance testing (for medical devices or electronics), and cost modeling. These steps ensure your product is not only manufacturable but also competitive in the market.
Why This Process Matters
Skipping steps in product development often leads to wasted time, higher costs, or products that fail once they hit the market. Following a proven process helps you avoid pitfalls and ensures you’re not just building a prototype, you’re building a business-ready product.
Ready to Bring Your Product to Market?
We’re a full-stack team of product and medical device engineers, designers, and developers. We don’t just stop at prototypes; we help you engineer products that are manufacturable, compliant, and positioned for success in the market.
Learn more about how we work here.