Industrial Design Blog

Integrated Design Systems: Small, but Mighty

Posted by IDSYS on 14 December 2011 | 0 Comments

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Flexibility and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances will enable smaller industrial design firms to succeed when the economy is sluggish.

"Small industrial design firms, by nature, are more adaptable to changing circumstances and in today's tough economy, this becomes an even more important asset," says Michael Paloian, President, Integrated Design, based in Great Neck, N.Y.

As the owner of the small industrial design firm, Paloian is personally involved in all projects at Integrated Design. "There is an ownership mentality by our staff, which means that we take pride in and assume personal responsibility for each project," he explains. "The client gets personalized attention, which may not be the case in larger firms."

Moreover, Integrated Design emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to design projects, utilizing the collective strength of its employees in all aspects of industrial design, including creative, materials science, mechanics and manufacturing. Larger firms have multiple employees who perform specialized job functions (i.e. marketing specialists, human factor experts, etc.) in a structured system that slows the product development process.

"The formal policies and procedures in a larger firm add time and layers of bureaucracy to a project, often hampering creativity while adding to design costs," Paloian says.

While the chemistry between an industrial design firm and its clients is critical, a smaller firm can be more responsive to client requests or changing parameters. "Our designers can solve complex problems faster and more creatively than larger firms that typically have many individuals responsible for particular aspects of a design that must pass from one product development milestone to the next. The cycle of modifications and approvals is complicated and in larger firms, it can be very long."

A client's budgetary considerations play a role in the selection of an industrial design firm, regardless of size. However, smaller design firms remain sensitive to a client's budgetary limits, balancing the need to manage design costs against manufacturing a cost-effective product. "Product designs are matched to a client's investment budget, unit costs and performance specifications," Paloian says. "At Integrated Design we provide clients with design options based on various trade-offs related to aesthetics, investment and recurring costs. We also continually monitor costs throughout the design development process in order to avoid 'surprises' down the line."

Medium and large-size corporations may prefer the attributes of a large design company with its extensive portfolio of products and track record of increasing sales with product branding, Paloian says. However, smaller design firms, such as Integrated Design, have carved out niche markets in which they have been achieved recognition for their innovative products and distinctive customer-centered approach.