Our frequently asked questions answered….

1. How do I compile a design brief? What information do you need from me?

We have a template that you can use if you are not familiar with writing design briefs. By using this as a prompt you can supply us with all of the information we require, to enable us to provide you with a proposal for your project.

2. If I decide I want to work with you – what happens next?

If you have a project you would like us to help you with, please give us a call and we can discuss your requirements further. If you like the sound of us we can then arrange a meeting where we can learn more about your ambitions and you can learn more about our capabilities. If you want us to provide you with a proposal after the meeting we will do this within 5 working days, free of charge.

3. Will you sign a confidentiality agreement?

Yes of course. We understand that your project is likely to be confidential and are happy to sign a Non-Disclosure agreement. If you don’t have your own version, we have a Smallfry document that can be used to protect both parties.

4. Do you work with individuals as well as companies?

We are happy to work with individuals all the way through to large corporate organisations. Our clients page shows the logos of the companies  that you may have heard of but we have also helped numerous individuals and start-up companies achieve success with the launch of their new products.

5. Do you have experience in my industry?

We have over 40 years experience in design but don’t profess to be experts in your area. However we can apply our methodology to any industry and over the years we’ve found out that by combining your expertise with our design expertise, a very effective partnership can be formed. By working together we can help you deliver great products and services.

6. What happens in the innovation workshops you hold and what benefit will I get from them?

If you want to inspire your team and stimulate creative thinking, then our workshops will work for you. Break your team out of their daily routine and see the new opportunities for growth open up. Each workshop is individually tailored to your needs and the combination of your knowledge and our creative techniques will produce a whole host of commercially exciting possibilities.

7. Do you have facilities to build prototypes?

We have a workshop on site where we produce some models and prototypes but we don’t like to restrict ourselves to one type of prototyping as all our client’s needs are different. We will discuss with you the most appropriate form of prototype for your project and work with one of our many trusted suppliers to produce the results you require.

8. Who will I deal with on a day-to-day basis once you have started work on my project?

When you have decided that you want to work with us, we will arrange a kick-off meeting with the designer allocated to managing your project. From this point on-wards you can have as much contact with the lead designer as you require. They will always be just a phone call or email away. We can also allocate a dedicated account manager to your project if you feel this would be beneficial.

9. Do you have any quality management systems in place?

We have recently been accredited with ISO:9001, an internationally recognised standard for the quality management of businesses. This standard implements efficient working practices improving customer satisfaction.

10. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on tooling for my new product before I have gained interest from potential customers. How can I obtain their commitment earlier on in the development cycle?

We understand that whilst you know your new product is a great one, you need to demonstrate this to your customers at an early stage. We can help you do this by producing realistic visuals that will help you demonstrate your idea and get customers on board before you commit to any manufacturing costs. The visuals can also be used as a tool to present to potential investors should you require funding.