Generating new product design ideas 10x faster with AI

Imagine turning a rough idea from a sketch into a stunning, photorealistic visual with just a few clicks. For corporate innovation managers and their teams, this is no longer a distant dream but a daily reality, thanks to advanced AI tools.

AI tools revolutionize product design by merging efficiency with creativity, enabling instant ideation, faster processes, and seamless collaboration. For innovation managers, AI is a strategic advantage, essential for staying competitive. It unlocks rapid iteration, experimentation, and quicker market delivery of superior products.

Although using these tools can potentially add a lot of value, it is crucial to use them in the right phase. At Made we are using Vizcom AI to spark creativity in both idea generation and concept design phases.

Increasing the fidelity of a first idea is where AI excels. Vizcom AI accelerates the generation of ideas by both giving draft ideas more body and building new ideas on top. This immediate ideation allows for multiple directions and applications, enriching the creative process and ensuring no idea is left unexplored.

It’s needless to say this tool can save hours of creative effort, essentially becoming your sparring partner during an ideation session.

Example: at Made, we used AI to ideate on ideas during the early phases of a car design project. The tool added various unexpected elements to the initial design ideas, sparking further creativity and inspiring innovations.

Since AI now makes it possible to quickly add a layer of realism to your designs, these tools shine during a concept creation phase. It enables designers to show an increased variety of options to their clients without jeopardizing the quality.

Although CAD will remain essential in a subsequent phase aimed at production, Vizcom makes it possible to create very understandable concepts whilst completely bypassing labor-intensive 3D modelling work in the concept phase.

Example: at Made, we used AI to rapidly improve the quality and realism of the cushioning of one of the concepts that were created for an outdoor furniture design. This helped to convey the intended comfort and material choice to the client, enabling them to make a more rational design.

Once you’ve harnessed AI to create stunning concept designs, the next step in the innovation journey is validation. This ensures your product not only looks great, but also meets user needs and expectations.

Effective validation is crucial for staying ahead of the competition, bringing products to market quickly, and reducing development costs and risks.

Here’s how innovation managers can leverage AI and proven validation techniques to streamline this phase:

In-depth interviews

Gather detailed user insights to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points. These insights are invaluable for refining your product to better align with market demands.

Smoke screen testing

Measure market interest and demand with minimal investment. This technique helps gauge potential success before committing extensive resources.

A/B testing

Compare different versions of your product to determine the best-performing option. This data-driven approach ensures you choose the design that resonates most with users.

User surveys

Collect broad feedback to highlight common trends and user preferences. Surveys help validate assumptions and guide product adjustments.

Usability testing

Assess how easily users interact with your product. Identifying and addressing usability issues early ensures a smoother user experience upon launch.

AI / Synthetic panels

AI can create synthetic panels by simulating internal stakeholders' perspectives from qualitative interviews and data inputs, enabling a structured and objective assessment of ideas and strategies.

If you're in need of further details, facing challenges, or searching for innovative insights in the your industry, don't hesitate to get in touch.