THE FIRST HUNCHAt the heart of every great product is more than just functionality—it’s the ability to evoke an emotional connection. The most successful products not only meet users' explicit needs but also resonate with their deeper desires and emotions. Often, what users truly need goes unspoken, only emerging through careful observation and real-world experience. That’s why the Discovery Phase is crucial. It’s where we go beyond surface-level requirements to uncover the motivations, challenges, and hopes that drive user behavior. Through targeted exercises and immersive research, we delve into the users' world, gaining profound insights that guide every decision in the design process. To make the right choices later, we must first understand, empathize with, and connect to the people we’re designing for.
THE LEARN-IT-ALL APPROACHBuilding physical products is a high-risk endeavor, but armed with the right insights, the chances of success increase exponentially. The more confidence we can gain from real, actionable data, the better equipped we are to create products that truly resonate with the market. With deep expertise and a rich history of launching game-changing products, we bring both knowledge and humility to every new project. We approach each program with a "learning" mindset, rather than assuming we already know it all. This commitment to continuous discovery ensures that every product we design is a well-informed, market-ready success.
THE DISCOVERY PHASE CAN INCLUDE-User profiles and personas -Market research Competitive analysis -Inspiration and Vision Boards -IDEAtion Workshops And much more!
WHAT MAKES A GREAT DISCOVERY PHASE?
KEEP PUSHING FOR AMAZING The Discovery Phase is where we validate your initial "hunch" and lay the foundation for the rest of the product development process. It gives you clarity, confidence, and the direction needed to move forward with certainty.
KEEP PUSHING FOR AMAZING Through Discovery, we ensure that you’re equipped to: Move forward confidently: Make informed decisions based on deep insights. Articulate value to investors: Present clear data and rationale to secure support. Identify risks early: Recognize potential obstacles before they become problems. Refine your goals: Gain clarity on your objectives—or pivot if necessary.
KEEP PUSHING FOR AMAZINGBefore committing to development, we want to ensure that your "hunch" is more than just an idea. With solid knowledge of a market that’s ready and eager for your product, everyone involved can feel confident moving to the next phase.
What are people saying?
"We were facing challenges during the development processes. Brooks helped us design a realistic solution using solutions we never considered. It saved us time and money and we got to market faster!"
Ridgid design requirements make a DESIGN ADVANTAGE
THE SITUATION
Contractors working with government and defense agencies are often bound by strict requirements. One tethered drone manufacturer sought to differentiate itself by leveraging design as a competitive advantage—even if it wasn’t a primary consideration in the industry.
WHAT WE DID
We partnered with NASA to learn about thrust and aerodynamics to inform the design. Our materials specialists were engaged early on to define the working boundaries for the product. We also took into account the operational needs of the deployment teams who would manage the devices in remote or high-pressure environments.
THEOUTCOME
With our deep insights from the Discovery Phase, we moved into the Design Phase with a clear direction. The result? We selected carbon fiber to create a drone with the highest payload capacity in its class, while reducing weight and offering tool-free hand assembly for deployment teams working on-site.
