Idea Developments Ltd

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of a sports manufacturing company that specializes in protective hockey equipment. We sponsor, design, and manufacture our products globally.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Idea Developments Ltd?

We needed design assistance and the production of a complex helmet.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They were involved in the design and development of a helmet and face cage that were certified and up to standard. It was a really collaborative partnership that saw us generate concepts, provide clear briefs for the development, and deliver the final product.

Once the core design was finalized, Idea Developments helped us generate options for manufacturers in China. They did their due diligence by contacting the managers of some of the factories and supervising various models that needed to be built. After we had a prototype, we did a lot of impact testing, problem-solving, and implemented modifications to the design so that we could meet the standards.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Kim (CEO), Shanon (Design Manager), and one other person in the technical department.

How did you come to work with Idea Developments Ltd?

They were a local company, and because of our collegial and iterative approach, having someone close at hand was a very good thing. They not only had the ability to design, but they also had the ability to help in the sourcing and manufacturing aspects, which was quite appealing.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around 250,000 NZD (approximately $171,100 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January 2018–December 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

With their help, we gained certifications for all the sizes of our helmets, and in general terms, we have a product that looks beautiful. It’s different from everything else in the market, and people have told me that it’s a very good-looking helmet.

Some of the attention to detail they incorporated was a bit of a surprise to me as well. The strappings on normal hockey helmets are generally awful, but they managed to see a way of integrating that inside the helmet, rather than having it on the outside. We thought that was very clever. 

How did Idea Developments Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication and meeting of deadlines were good on both fronts. We mainly interacted through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and emails. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their design practicality, their down-to-earth approach, and how they meet the client’s needs quite well. They were always focused on meeting our needs without much fluff. However, their real strength was in how they meld function, beauty, and manufacturability with their designs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there's nothing that I can think of. I understand that design is an intrinsically difficult and time-consuming job, so you can’t just staff and carry on one track.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would suggest being clear with your objectives, design thumbprint, and the personality you want your product to have. I would also suggest being fully immersed with what’s going on in the process, because even small bits of information can be very useful to a good outcome.