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.
