What's the difference between product design and product development?

At NYCD industrial design agency: product design focuses on "what," while product development focuses on the "how." 

1. Design as creating 3D visualization for product idea,

2. Development finished the rest - turns 3D idea into a real, functional, cost-control, market-ready product.

What is Product Design?

Product design defines a product's purpose, aesthetics, features, and user experience. 

It's all about answering: What does your product do? How does it look and feel? 

Role: This phase is driven by NYCD industrial designers, will some help and from structural design engineers, who focus on creating a visually stunning, design-for-manufacture, 3D model data. They shape everything from the product’s CMF, usability to its branding identity, laying the vision for your product's future success.

What is Product Development?

Product development takes the baton from product design, expanding its scope to bring the product to life.

It involves a mix of mechanical engineering, hardware design, PCB layout, manufacturing, and testing processes to ensure the design is practical, manufacturable, and market-ready. At NYCD, this includes work by our PCB designers, UX designers, sourcing managers, prototype makers, and process managers. They handle everything from technical feasibility to sourcing materials and refining production methods.

How Are They Different?

Product design is like drawing map, product development is actual journey. At NYCD, we combine the two seamlessly, ensuring your idea not only looks great but works flawlessly.

Still Unsure?

If you’re confused about where design ends and development begins, don’t sweat it! 

The truth is, they’re deeply interconnected. As we like to say at NYCD: “Get your hands dirty, and the differences become crystal clear.” 

Whether you’re dreaming up a new product or refining an existing one, our team will guide you every step of the way.