i-mas.Product designArea 01 / 06

Product design and engineering designed for manufacturing.

We design and develop physical products for companies. We bring together industrial design, mechanical engineering, electronics and prototyping, from product definition to industrialisation.

Preparing the piece…

Concept: NEXO Product viewDrag to rotate
01A finished product, ready for manufacture.

01 / The process

From design to industrialization. without changing teams.

We designed with technical expertise and a forward-looking perspective. We analyzed each decision from a technical and industrial point of view, applying only what truly adds value to the product and its manufacturing process. The page continues: it pauses at the process and progresses phase by phase until it is complete.

Phase 11 / 6Definition

Delivery: product brochure

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The i-mas team is reviewing product sketches on the studio wall.
Phase 1

Definition

  • Briefing and objectives
  • Benchmarking
  • Target cost and regulation
Delivery: product brochure
Hand-drawn product sketches on paper.
Phase 2

Design

  • Concept and industrial design
  • UX/UI and brand identity.
  • Sustainability
Delivery: concept validated
CAD modeling of a part in the technical office of i-mas.
Phase 3

Engineering

  • Mechanics and materials
  • Electronics and firmware
  • Design for manufacturing and assembly.
Delivery: 3D model and plans
Creation of a functional prototype in i-mas’ workshop.
Phase 4

Prototype

  • Machined and printed parts
  • Functional prototype
  • Iterations per day
Delivery: functional prototype
Testing a team with real users
Phase 5

Validation

  • Laboratory tests
  • User testing.
  • Certifications
Delivery: validation report
The finished product is completed and packaged in i-mas’ warehouse.
Phase 6

Industrialisation

  • Set-up and suppliers
  • Packaging and assembly.
  • Pre-series and start-up.
Delivery: standard product

A participant/a speaker/a person to converse with

A project manager for design, electronics, and manufacturing. A single, comprehensive plan.

Prototypes on days

The workshop and the laboratory are located within the same complex as the technical office.

Designed for manufacture.

Each piece is drawn, taking into account how, where, and at what cost it will be produced.

02 / Services

Product design, engineering and development services

You can commission the complete development or a specific phase. We agree the scope and deliverables with you, coordinating design, engineering, workshop and laboratory.

01

Industrial product design

We define the form, use and materials of physical products, from concept to detailed design. We consider ergonomics, identity and manufacturing to develop a product that meets its requirements.

02

Product engineering

We develop the mechanical design, mechanisms and component integration. We prepare CAD models, drawings and technical documentation, defining materials, tolerances and assembly solutions to manufacture and validate the product.

03

Electronics and firmware

We develop the hardware and firmware and integrate them with the product's mechanical design. We coordinate the circuit board, enclosure and connections from design through functional testing.

Explore electronics development
04

Prototyping and validation

We build prototypes to check design, use and performance before manufacturing. We select the prototyping process and agree the tests according to what each project needs to validate.

Explore prototype manufacturing
05

Industrialisation and assembly

We prepare the transition from prototype to manufacturing: processes, tooling, documentation and assembly. We work on pre-production and production start-up to verify that the design can be manufactured and assembled consistently.

Explore production and assembly
06

Benchmarking

We evaluated your product against market benchmarks and industry standards to identify areas for improvement and make more informed design decisions.

07

Sustainable design

We are integrating sustainability criteria into product design to optimize materials, processes, and the product’s entire lifecycle, reducing impact without compromising functionality or manufacturing.

08

UX/UI design

We designed clear and functional interfaces, focused on the actual use of the product and on facilitating interaction between people and technology.

09

Product identity

We define the product’s identity to ensure it aligns with its function, its technology, and its market positioning.

10

Packaging

We designed functional packaging that aligns with the product, optimized for use, protection, logistics, and manufacturing.

Wine dispenser developed by Alacarte Ventures
Alacarte Ventures

A wine dispenser for individual glasses: product design, electronics, and everything needed for production, all from a single piece of equipment.

Recognition(s)

Delta de Oro, ADI Awards 2024

Delta de Oro for our be·ia project, in the digital devices category, at the ADI-FAD 2024 event.

Delta de Plata, ADI-FADsearebbel · 2026
Delta de Oro, ADI-FADBeia – 2024
iF Design Award2022
Premio de Innovación de Productos en los New Business Models AwardsAlacarte Ventures · 2021
Delta de Plata, ADI-FAD2009

Frequently Asked Questions

What someone who has a product idea wonders.

Where do I begin when developing a product idea?

To define it before designing it: what problem it solves, for whom, at what price it needs to be sold, and what regulations affect it. With this information, you can decide whether the idea is viable. At i-mas, this initial review is completely free: we examine your idea or prototype, discuss it with you, and provide you with a clear approach, including the risks and the next steps.

What are the stages of a product’s development?

Six stages: definition (including briefing, benchmarking, and target cost), design (concept, industrial design, UX/UI), engineering (mechanical, electronic, design for manufacture), functional prototype, validation (testing, user testing, certifications), and industrialization (tooling, suppliers, pre-production). Within i-mas, each phase concludes with a deliverable that you can use, even if you don’t continue working with us.

What’s the difference between a design studio and product engineering?

The study provides blueprints and renderings; product engineering is responsible for ensuring the part is manufactured at the anticipated cost. i-mas is in second place, and also has its own factory: over 10,000 m² in Montcada i Reixac (Barcelona), including a CNC workshop, a prototyping division, and an assembly area. Design decisions are made with a focus on manufacturability from the initial sketch.

How long does it take to develop a product, from the initial idea to the point of manufacturing?

A mechanical component can be validated in weeks; a device with electronics, firmware, and certification requires months, primarily due to testing. The fastest way to shorten the timeframe is to avoid relying on suppliers in each iteration: at i-mas, prototyping, the workshop, and assembly all take place in the same facility, resulting in a prototyped and machined component being produced in 8 days.

Who designs the electronics and software for a new product?

The ideal approach is for the same team that designs the mechanics to also decide on the board, casing, and interface simultaneously. At i-mas, this is carried out by i-mas Electronics (covering schematic design, PCB creation, firmware development, IoT connectivity, EMC testing, and CE, FCC, and UL certification), alongside the UX/UI team, who also design the embedded displays.

Is an engineering firm working with startups, or only with large companies?

Those with their own manufacturing facilities often work with both, because they can begin with small series. i-mas works with startups, SMEs, and large automotive, industrial, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, household goods, telecommunications, or biotechnology companies. Products such as be·ia (Delta de Oro ADI-FAD 2024) and searebbel (Delta de Plata 2026) originated from this process.

Let's talk

What product do you need to develop?

Tell us what you want to develop, what stage your project is at and what you need to resolve. Our team supports your project from our engineering offices and workshops in Barcelona.

Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 to 18:00, and Friday from 9:00 to 15:00. We will respond to you within 24 hours.

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