What to Prepare Before Contacting a Product Design Company

Want to turn your idea into a real product? Here’s exactly what you should prepare before reaching out to a product design company and why it matters.

So, You Have an Idea… What Now?

You’ve come up with a great product idea – maybe while driving, during a workout, or in the shower (those are the best ideas, right?). You’re excited and ready to make it real. But when you contact a design company, they ask:

  • Do you have a design brief?
  • What’s your target market?
  • Do you have any reference images?

Suddenly, you feel stuck. Don’t worry! You don’t need a 100-page technical document. But preparing a few key things can save you time, money, and headaches later.

What Should You Prepare?

A Clear Problem Statement
What problem does your product solve? The simpler and clearer, the better. Instead of “I want a new water bottle,” say “I want a water bottle that keeps water cold for 24 hours and fits into any bike holder.”

Target Audience
Who is this for? Athletes, kids, travelers, healthcare professionals? Knowing your audience helps guide design, ergonomics, and even materials.

Feature Wishlist
Write down everything you want – even the wild ideas. We can help you prioritize and decide what’s feasible.

Any Visual References
Photos of similar products, rough sketches, mood boards, or even screenshots. Don’t worry if they’re messy – they help us understand your style and vision.

Expected Budget & Timeline
You don’t need exact numbers, but having a ballpark figure helps guide material choices and production methods. Same for timeline – do you need it urgently for a launch or can it be developed over a longer period?

Why These Details Matter

When you share these early details, your design partner can:

  • Suggest better design solutions tailored to your needs

  • Avoid unnecessary rework

  • Give you accurate cost and timeline estimates

  • Speed up the entire process

How CADLETE Designs Supports You

We love ideas at all stages — whether you have a polished sketch or just a dream in your head. Our team is experienced at asking the right questions and guiding you through each step, so even if you come with minimal information, we’ll help you build the rest.

Final Thoughts

Preparing before you reach out doesn’t need to be stressful. Think of it like packing your bag for an adventure: a little planning makes the journey smoother, faster, and more fun.


Have an idea but not sure where to start? Let’s chat – we’ll help you get ready for takeoff.

Make Your Product Stand Out in the Real World.
Schedule a Free 30-minute Consultation Today!