My Design Process

Introduction

Design, for me, is not about jumping to solutions—it’s about understanding context, behaviour, and constraints before shaping form. My design process combines observation, systems thinking, sketching, engineering, and hands-on prototyping to create physical products that are functional, meaningful, and buildable.
This page outlines how I approach industrial and product design projects—from early research to refined prototypes—across furniture, mechanical devices, and experimental products.

Ansh Gunjan Trivedi During his Industrial Design Process of Making Products

1. Observation & Research

2. Framing the Problem

3. Ideation & Sketching

4. System Thinking & Form Development

5. CAD & Technical Development

6. Prototyping & Making

7. Testing, Iteration & Refinement

8. Reflection & Documentation

Every project begins with watching carefully—how people behave, how objects are used, and where friction exists.

This stage includes:

User observation & informal ethnography
Studying existing products and systems
Understanding constraints (use, environment, materials, cost, manufacturing)
Asking why something exists before asking how to redesign it

Before sketching, I translate observations into clear design directions.
This step prevents decorative or unnecessary design and helps focus on purpose.

I define:

Core problem (what actually needs solving)
Design intent (what the product should do, not just look like)
Non-negotiables (constraints that guide the project)

Sketching is where ideas move from abstract to tangible. I use sketching not to decorate ideas, but to think mechanically and spatially.

This stage involves:

Quick exploratory sketches
Form studies and proportions
Mechanism breakdowns
Interface and interaction thinking

Rather than designing isolated objects, I design systems—how parts connect, assemble, and age over time.

Here I explore:

Modular logic
Component relationships
Structural behaviour
Assembly and disassembly logic

This approach is especially visible in my furniture and mechanical projects, where form is a direct result of function and construction logic.

Once form and logic are clear, I move into CAD and technical development.

This phase includes:

3D modelling and parametric refinement
Tolerances and fit
Material thickness and strength considerations
Manufacturing feasibility

Prototyping is where assumptions are tested—and often broken with hands on work.

I work extensively with:

Workshop fabrication
Casting, drilling, sanding, cutting, and finishing
Rapid prototyping (3D printing, mock-ups)
Functional testing

This stage frequently loops back into design changes, improving usability, strength, and clarity.

Many design problems only reveal themselves when you physically build the object.

Prototypes are evaluated through:

Use-based testing
Assembly and disassembly trials
Visual and tactile assessment
Feedback from users, peers, and mentors

Iteration is not a sign of failure—it’s evidence of learning. Final forms are often simpler, clearer, and more sound than early versions.

Every project is documented through:

Process photographs
Exploded views and drawings
Clear explanations of decisions and trade-offs

This documentation is not just presentation—it’s a way to critically reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what can be improved.

Cyclic Design Process Diagram by Ansh Gunjan Trivedi

Design as a continuous practice

My design process is not linear—it adapts based on the project, context, and constraints. What remains constant is a focus on clarity, functionality, and making things that genuinely work.

You can see this process applied across my projects—from modular furniture systems to mechanical devices and experimental products—each shaped by observation, iteration, and hands-on making.

Design Process in Practice

Each project below demonstrates how the same design process adapts across different contexts—furniture systems, mechanical devices, and experimental products.

Click on any image for details on the project!