Episode #5 with Special Guest, Tom Fekete

Season #1

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Summary:

In this episode of the Inventor's Edge podcast, host Scott Putnam interviews Tom Fekete, a lead industrial designer at Open End Studio. They discuss the intricacies of industrial design, the collaborative process between designers and engineers, and the importance of user-centric design. Tom shares insights into the product development journey, emphasizing the need for research, inspiration, and iterative feedback. He also highlights the challenges of manufacturing and the significance of keeping designs simple yet functional. Tom concludes with a special offer for listeners, inviting them to reach out for a free consultation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Industrial design combines art, business, and engineering.
  • The focus of industrial design is on user experience and aesthetics.
  • Collaboration between designers and engineers is crucial.
  • Every product requires a unique approach in design.
  • Research is essential to understand market needs and competitors.
  • Sketching is a vital part of the idea generation process.
  • Keeping designs simple can enhance functionality and reduce costs.
  • User feedback is invaluable in the design process. Understanding manufacturing constraints is key to successful product design.
  • Experience in the field can help avoid common pitfalls in design.

Learn about our guest, Tom Fekete: ​​

Tamás Fekete is an industrial designer, entrepreneur, and product developer with over a decade of experience. With a background in consumer product design, he has worked across a wide range of product categories, from sports equipment and consumer goods to fabric-based and 3D-printed products.

Specializing in end-to-end product development, Tamás transforms ideas into functional, visually striking products. His expertise spans concept sketching, 3D modeling, photorealistic rendering, and rapid prototyping combined with a wide knowledge of different manufacturing techniques and materials, ensuring the transition from idea to production. 

He has designed fabric-based carrying solutions for global brands like Nikon and Logitech and has contributed to multiple patented products, helping inventors refine and bring their concepts to market. As a problem-solver and strategic thinker, Tamás collaborates with inventors, startups, and businesses to optimize usability, elevate design, and develop high-quality, desirable products. Whether working on mass-produced products or bespoke design projects, his approach is always innovation-driven and user-focused.

Connect with Tamás and learn how industrial design principles can take your invention to the next level! 

Connect with Tom:

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