Tactile’s process begins with thorough market and user research, product road mapping, and trend analysis. This phase establishes the foundation for product strategy by aggregating insights into guiding principles for current and future products. The team

delves deep into user behaviors, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation. This holistic approach ensures that every design decision is grounded in robust data and forward-thinking insights.

The concept generation process involves rapid refinement rounds, starting broadly and quickly focusing on the best opportunities. Design studies utilize various fidelities and materials, from low-fidelity models for general workflows to higher-fidelity prototypes for refined form and use cases.

This iterative approach allows for quick exploration of multiple design directions, enabling the team to identify and develop the most promising concepts efficiently. The process is highly collaborative, involving cross-functional teams to ensure all aspects of the product are considered from the outset.

Critical for uncovering challenges and validating assumptions, user testing employs strategically crafted methods to investigate specific product aspects. These may include full-scale mock-ups for spatial layouts and screen-integrated prototypes for UI flow testing. Tactile’s user testing protocols are rigorously designed to gather both quantitative and

qualitative data, providing a comprehensive understanding of user interactions and preferences. This data-driven approach informs design iterations and helps mitigate risks associated with product development. For more info on our User Experience expertise, visit User Experience.

Tactile emphasizes the importance of small details in elevating product experiences. This includes surface treatments, kinetics, color/materials/finish (CMF), product graphics, and lighting considerations. Our team employs advanced techniques and technologies to perfect these elements, such as 3D

printing for rapid prototyping of textures and finishes, and sophisticated lighting simulations. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the product contributes to a cohesive and premium user experience. For more of our CMF work, visit Xbox and KEURIG.

The design process integrates manufacturing constraints early on, with close collaboration between designers and engineers. Tactile focuses on creating products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for fabrication, assembly, repair, and end-of-life disposal. This approach incorporates Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for

Assembly (DFA) principles from the outset, ensuring that products are optimized for production efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The team also considers sustainability throughout the process, exploring eco-friendly materials and designing for recyclability or refurbishment. For more info on our engineering work, visit Mechanical Engineering.

Tactile develops Visual Brand Languages (VBLs) to connect brand ethos with tangible design elements, ensuring consistency across product portfolios and accelerating new product development. These comprehensive guidelines go beyond aesthetics, encompassing form factors, material choices,

interaction paradigms, and sound design. By creating a cohesive brand experience across all touch points, we help clients build strong, recognizable product identities that resonate with target audiences and stand out in competitive markets. For more of our VBL work, visit Genie, ecobee, Waterpik, and Tektronix.

Tactile maintains a culture of ongoing learning and exploration, drawing inspiration from various sources to drive innovation and improve design practices. This includes internal concept projects, design competition participation, and academic institution collaboration. Our designers regularly engage in professional development activities, staying well acquainted with the latest design tools, manufacturing technologies, and material innovations. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that the company

remains at the forefront of industrial design, capable of addressing the evolving needs of clients and end-users alike. This comprehensive approach allows us to create products that are functional and beautiful and aligned with user needs, manufacturing requirements, and brand identities. We deliver innovative solutions that drive business success and enhance user experiences across various industries and product categories by seamlessly integrating strategic thinking, creative design, and technical expertise. For more of our concepts, visit Explorations.