Daniel Howell Creative Works

Visualizing a product begins by way of sketching. Common sketching tools include pencils, pens, paper, curve guides, straight edges, and software applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

Thumbnail Sketches

Thumbnail sketches capture an idea only in a symbolic form. The benefit of this method is the ability to generate a lot of ideas in a short amount of time.

Presentation Sketches

These sketches are developed more so they can communicate materials, colors, or other design considerations of the product. This style is a hybrid between early rough concepts and preliminary CAD data. This method usually takes a little longer to do.

Hand mock-ups and solid-modeling software provide three dimensional analysis and evaluation. Typical CAD tools for product development include SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer, and in some instances, Illustrator.

Preliminary Geometry

The product's form begins to solidify when real dimensions and other constraints are applied to the original concept sketches. 3D visualizations are necessary for evaluating how the surfaces interact with each other in real space.

CAD for production

When the concept is refined and has passed quality control criteria, it is now ready for initial tooling. This step is crucial in the development of a product since manufacturers are relying more and more on computerized systems. Draft, wall thickness, FEA, and mold flow are evaluated in this phase.

The realization of the product nears completion with the selection of the materials and the validation of the CAD data. Products are produced in a number mediums including sheet metal injection molding, thermo and pressure-forming casting, and die cutting, to name a few.

Manufactured Goods

Here are some products designed using various manufacturing methods. The key is to match up the most effective process with the design requirements. Sometimes compromises are made in favor of long term goals or cost targets. When this occurs, it is important to protect the most vital parts of the design requirements.

Products extend beyond their physical dimensions to encompass both graphics and packaging. Consistent design is key to creating a professional and attractive product. Graphic design tools include Illustrator and Photoshop.

Design Control Drawings

Design Control Drawings specify Pantone indexed colors, graphical positions, and other pertinent details to package design.

Corporate Identity

Color palate, logotypes, usage guidelines, and branding definition all fit into a brand's equity. Though not essential for selling the product, graphic consideration plays a key role in differentiating the product from its competition.

Graphic Design

Sometimes the product itself is the graphic, as is the case in these examples.

Online sites are increasingly important to supporting a product or service. Web design tools include Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and various other resources on the Internet

Machineart.com was written using CSS, Ajax, Java script--the basic ingredients for "Web 2.0" functionality.

[Go to www.machineart.com]

MaMo is also written using CSS, AJAX, and Java script. It uses a templating system developed for the Shopsite E-commerce gateway system.

[Go to www.machineartmoto.com]

About Daniel Howell

Background and Contact Information

Daniel Howell Creative showcases various techniques that can be utilized for product development. In the competitive world, a product developer needs reliable and talented workers to innovate.

You can request a personal presentation of product development capabilities of Daniel Howell via the information below.

Daniel Howell
222 Lancaster Ct
Belle Mead, NJ 08502
908-745-9953 cell
dh@howellcreative.com

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