We are always careful not to assume that we understand the problem at the outset. Indeed we may even challenge whether the right questions are being asked. 3rd Stone Design uses research to unearth the needs presented by a project and then filter those needs with an eye toward product innovation. With a full understanding of the environment in which a product will be used we are able to develop better solutions for end customers, clients, and human beings the world round.

Aligning the concept with a company’s core strengths, its brand positioning, or even an international trend will then lead to successful product development and delivery that satisfies the necessary business goals for an enterprise. And in the end it should delight the user as well!

Some of the ways in which we distill product opportunities and align our activities with business strategy are as follows:

• qualitative need finding
• quantitative research review
• qualitative focus groups – ‘nugget’ finding
• solution mapping
• innovation scans

From proof of principle prototypes to appearance models, from ergonomics evaluations to color ways, product design must concern itself with the 5 F’s: Form, Fit, Function, Fashion, and Finance. Following a rigorous design process allows for continued iteration on key points of value and success in product development. Every idea shall be prototyped if it is worthy of further exploration. Design is more than styling, a successful solution represents a complex negotiation of often contradictory requirements. 3rd Stone Design knows the process well and uses a host of methods to get the best results.

These processes include:

• human factors analysis
• user interface mock-ups
• soft and hard models
• product identity and brand development through graphic and styling means
• product definition through detailed marketing requirement specification development

There comes a point when the best conceived and cleverest concepts must be made to function. The engineering component of the work tends to be mechanical in nature, taking in the sub-fields of heat transfer, fluidics, and materials development. Whether the challenge is straight ahead performance in nature or has to do with capturing slim gains in output, there is no substitute for focused technical work. The following engineering techniques are aptly employed to get excellent results:

o What good is the greatest prototype if it cannot be produced? Production sourcing and contractor development begins immediately at the start of a project. The unifying factor amongst the disparate product mix developed by 3rd Stone Design is that all of them need to get to market quickly – either to save lives or improve outcomes, both for patients and companies alike. By working closely with manufacturers from the very start a clean hand-off to production can be assured and real cost savings can be realized before the product even reaches Beta. Skills honed for this phase of a project include:

• thorough bill of materials (BOM) creation
• supply chain management and coordination
• materials flow charts and diagrams
• contract manufacturer location and negotiation
• highly specialized production method sourcing
• long lead / high cost component identification
• risk mitigation through careful planning

Often times great products follow on the heels of a stroke of genius by a sole inventor – or at least that’s the lore. But that is not the way product development should be approached – at least not the second time around. The challenge then is to systematize the product development process so that the next development effort can be faster, more efficient and yield results that are as close to expectations as possible. In order to achieve these improvements in creative development a few key steps are taken:

• detailed product development flow charts are produced
• memorable schematics are created that draw attention to the periods of greatest involvement for the team
• customized tools are developed for individual players so that their effort will have its maximum impact
• shared planning, collaboration, and concept development tools are leveraged amongst team players to assure that everyone is up to speed and contributing their best work when it matters most
• nothing is boiler plate, but all processes must be iterative to hone the results as keenly as possible

Product development by 3rd Stone Design is done in phases. Each program’s uniqueness requires customized schedules and resource allocations. With many years of experience producing products for the world market and literally 100’s of millions of units produced, 3rd Stone Design can deliver the goods. Some of the important work completed in the pursuit of a well run program includes:

• production planning
• resource management
• cost estimating including expectations of yield
• contingency planning
• vendor liaison
• feature benefit analysis

What good is the perfect product if the knock-off is available 3 months after your first launch. Why spend time and money on research and development if the output cannot be protected from competitors? 3rd Stone Design is well versed in documenting innovations, crafting IP strategies, and maintaining them through the careful and judicious use of patent counsel. These efforts have produced multiple patents for us and our clients and partners which have cemented technical leads in their respective fields. If the work requires a bit of offense or defense we are familiar with those approaches as well having participated in patent infringement litigation actions. See inset graphic for a sampling of US patents granted with Robert HJ Miros, CEO, listed as inventor.

• Prior Art research
• Invent around or through approaches
• Patent specification drafting
• Collaborative work with patent counsel
• Patent office response and argument
• Expert witness evaluation and retention
• Litigation strategy and coordination