Concept Development

What is concept development in product development?

During concept development, the following steps are taken:

1. Generating and evaluating ideas: We generate various ideas through brainstorming sessions. We then evaluate these based on feasibility, market potential, and their fit with your business objectives.

2. Concept development: The ideas that emerge from the evaluation round are further developed into detailed concepts, including a description of their functions, benefits, and the criteria of the target audience.

In this phase, multiple concepts are created, which are then tested against the Program of Requirements. The most promising concept, or a merged concept, is then used to create a final concept. This final concept forms the basis for the very first prototype.

3. A-sample: A first, detailed prototype, also known as an A-sample, is made from the concept with the most potential. We use this to conduct initial user tests to evaluate its usability, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction.

4. B-sample: Subsequently, a design iteration is performed on the A-sample (if necessary) based on the test outcomes. In most cases, these are not major adjustments. We then test this B-sample again.

The making of prototypes

Prototypes are a tangible model of your product idea. Their purpose is to test and refine the design before investments are made in a flawed design or an inadequate product. You use them to determine and improve the quality of your product.

Prototypes are made in various ways, ranging from simple and fast prototypes made of paper or cardboard to complex, working models that resemble the final product.

Prototypes make it possible to see if your product actually works and meets user needs. They also help you prevent costly mistakes at a later stage. Additionally, prototypes are a powerful tool for communicating about your idea with others. They help people to better understand your idea and provide feedback.

Different types of prototypes

There are different types of prototypes you can use, depending on your objectives and budget:

1. Low-fidelity prototypes: These are simple, fast, and inexpensive prototypes often made from paper, cardboard, or other simple materials. They are used to test the basic concepts of a product.

2. Mid-fidelity prototypes: These prototypes are more detailed and can contain interactive elements. They often involve the use of rapid prototyping and 3D printing. Mid-fidelity prototypes are used to test the functionality and user-friendliness of a product.

3. High-fidelity prototypes: These are highly detailed prototypes that closely resemble the final product. 3D printing and rapid prototyping are also heavily used for these prototypes. High-fidelity prototypes are used to test and finalize the design before it goes into production.

At Beeliners, we employ a multidisciplinary approach when making prototypes. Our experts work on your concept from various specializations. Consider, for example, the integration of circuit boards and software.

Proof of concept

With a proof of concept, we test the feasibility of your product concept. The intention is to use a proof of concept to define and realize the “showstoppers” of your idea, allowing you to test if your solution truly solves the problems of your target audience.

Prototyping

In the concept development phase, we create an initial prototype, or A-sample. With this, we test various aspects, such as what users think of the concept visually and whether it works as intended. Based on the outcomes, we can improve the prototype into a B-sample.