FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SUPPORT

WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL DESIGN?

It is a discipline focused on the questions and problems raised by the way products are used. Its answers come from a user-centred methodology that identifies the user’s needs. To achieve this, four stages are essential:

• The specifications: writing a document that ranks all the constraints of a project.
• The research phase: proposing creative directions in the form of models, sketches and 3D renderings.
• The development phase: technical optimisation of the selected direction, iterations and prototyping.
• Industrialisation support: validating each stage, from prototype through to industrialisation.

 

WHY WORK WITH A DESIGNER?

The designer is a facilitator, in the sense that they simplify what is complex, turn constraints into strengths and bring together complementary skills from their network to serve the project.

They can shape a strong, coherent vision that respects the technical and economic constraints they are given. The response is innovative and forward-looking, and gives clients a real point of difference from their competitors. The designer aims to create a project that is intuitive, durable and reliable.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DESIGNER AND AN ENGINEER?

The engineer brings the technological expertise: they make sure the project works properly and is carried out correctly during the development and production phases. The engineer complements the designer, who integrates the engineer’s expertise and constraints to design the ergonomics and make the features easy for the end user to understand.

 

HOW LONG DOES A PROJECT TAKE?

From 4-6 months up to a year, depending on the project.

 

WHAT DOES BPIFRANCE EXPERT STATUS MEAN?

Bpifrance is the French public investment bank, whose mission is to finance and develop businesses. As a Bpifrance expert, I can support you with a design diagnosis, 50% of which is funded by Bpifrance. Find out more about the Diag Design (Bpifrance Design Diagnosis)

 

WHY APPLY FOR A DIAG DESIGN?

The design diagnosis is a service for small and medium-sized companies registered in France with fewer than 2000 employees. It is 50% funded by Bpifrance and capped at €4,000 excl. VAT for a product (€3,000 excl. VAT for a service). Its purpose is to analyse the company’s innovation project with a design-led approach, in order to provide recommendations based on user needs.

The design diagnosis takes 4 days for a product (3 days for a service) and gives the company an in-depth analysis of its project, showing how a designer’s approach could help to develop it. This may include recommendations to improve the user experience, ergonomics, aesthetics, functionality, etc.

In short, the design diagnosis is a tool that helps a company better understand how design can be used to improve its innovation project, by providing concrete recommendations tailored to its specific needs.

 

HOW MUCH DOES A DIAG DESIGN COST?

From €3,000 to €4,000.