Product Innovation. Realized.
Our approach challenges what exists today to envision what will be desired tomorrow. We persistently pursue new and better user solutions that transform categories to create value and drive preference. We challenge the constraints that stifle innovation to seek out and create new market opportunity. Product Innovation Realized creates positive change and propels companies along the path of meaningful differentiation. It is realized in superior function, inspiring form, and customer delight. Its reward is profitable growth and preference, earned.
Product Innovation Realized can resolve important questions for your business:
> Where should I look to expand, and what innovation opportunities exist there?
> My industry is mature and stale—what’s the next big thing?
> What’s the best way to configure my technology for the user?
> How do I create shelf appeal and engage the consumer?
> Where can my brand go?
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Immersion, Insights + Ideas
We immerse ourselves into your brand, your business, your category. Then we conduct a tailored research program to uncover latent user needs and discover consumer insights. We juxtapose these insights with your business goals, your brand, available technologies, cultural trends, and opportunities at the point of sale. Together we make connections, leading to bold ideas that make sense for your business.
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Strategy, Design + Validation
With you, we construct a growth strategy to leverage connections and capitalize on the ideas. We give form to the ideas by optimizing aesthetics, shelf appeal, ease-of-use, and thoughtfully engineered construction. We then prototype and test to confirm effectiveness and market viability.
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Engineering + Commercialization
We realize the ideas through complete engineering, documentation, testing, vendor sourcing and management of implementation—getting you to market with innovative products and services, fast.
Generate Big Ideas + Envision the Future
We take the strategic lead in gaining insights, generating ideas, and realizing innovations for your product, system or service. Click to view case study examples: (Applica) (Rubbermaid / Goody)
Embody Your Ideas + Your Technology
We find the right configuration and form for your idea and your technology to ensure the best user experience for your customer. Click to view case study examples: (Jacobsen) (Rioux Vision)
Brand Articulation + Consumer Activation
We articulate your brand through product design, establishing a coherent visual brand language for your entire product line, and engaging the consumer through aesthetic innovation. Click to view case study examples: (Kobalt) (GI Supply)
Our Services
Product Mapping
Innovation Process Coaching
Market Research
User + Consumer Insights Research
Materials + Technology Research
Ethnographic Research
Human Factors
Visual Brand Language Development
New Product Idea Generation
Service + Experience Design
User Interface Design (UI)
Material + Color + Finish Selection
Consumer Validation Testing
Usability Testing
Engineering
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Production Part Documentation + BOMs
FDA Design Controls
Life Cycle Analysis
Prototyping + Performance Testing
Production Sourcing
Supply Chain Coordination
Brand Innovation (see below)
Since our founding in 1985, BOLTgroup has developed six distinct areas of expertise that enable us to create more comprehensive and well-conceived solutions for our clients.
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Complete Innovations—Realized to Market
Not just ideas and plans, not just design without strategy… but complete, strategic solutions from research and insights to finished product and marketing strategy.
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Brand Integration
Our product designers work hand in hand with our brand strategy team. This experience gives us the ability to establish a visual brand language for your product family and to design products, systems, and services that communicate the true character of your brand. Also, our brand development team is available if needed to create marketing strategy, branding, communications, packaging, and merchandising for your product or service. (Learn more about our Brand Innovation work here)
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Comprehensive Research Methods—Linked with Design
We combine qualitative and quantitative research methods to uncover insights about your consumer and user, and to develop strategic direction as you take the product to market. Our research and design processes are linked to ensure complete translation of the research findings and meaningful leveraging of the insights gained. (Learn more about our research methods here)
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Retail Strategy
We have many years of strategic experience with major retailers giving us insights into retail dynamics, merchants’ requirements, and the consumer experience at the point of sale. With these experiences we help clients win at retail.
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Industry Knowledge
We have great depth of experience in Housewares, Hardware and Consumer Products, Medical Products, Office Furniture, and Commercial Equipment. This depth gives us a stronger foundation from which to quickly deliver targeted innovations for your industry.
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Extraordinary Customer Satisfaction + Project Management
Our professional project management team ensures that your project is on time and on budget, and your experience with us is exceptionally rewarding. Our program of Extraordinary Customer Satisfaction gives kudos to our employees for going the extra mile for our clients.
