Engineering and Design
Known for our category-defining work, Fuseproject partners with leaders from concept through to product launch. Even when brands have strong in-house expertise, they turn to us to expand existing lines or to define entirely new ones, leveraging our long track record of success and our ability to create innovative, category-defining products and services.
Approach
- At Fuseproject, our approach to design and engineering is both holistic and flexible. Our full-service capabilities are supported by a robust in-house team located in San Francisco and a dedicated group in Portugal. We blend our diverse talent pool to offer -
Feasibility
Assessments and Validation
- For initial feasibility assessments and conceptual validation, our in-house mechanical engineering expertise—bolstered by our industrial designers with engineering backgrounds—ensures early-stage accuracy. For more complex challenges, we supplement our work with a network of fractional engineering experts who seamlessly embed with our team. When projects demand the highest complexity or production intensity, we partner with specialized local and international engineering firms.
Product Design & DFM Support
- We excel in designing comprehensive out-of-box experiences. Our in-house product design team not only creates award-winning concepts but also collaborates directly with suppliers to bring these visions to life. In parallel, our senior design professionals, equipped with deep DFM (Design for Manufacturing) experience, work closely with engineering partners—traveling on-site to factories—to ensure that every detail upholds the design intent throughout the production process.
Experience
- Our team has deep experience designing category-defining products across a range of industries. We’ve developed multiple lines of air purifiers for Coway, including the Airmega Icon, which blends advanced filtration with lifestyle-focused design. Our work with iRobot demonstrates our ability to integrate airflow, water containment, and compact form factors into seamless user experiences. From smart appliances to emerging technologies, our portfolio reflects the breadth and depth of challenges we’re equipped to take on.
Ownable Design Language
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Fuseproject is renowned for creating an ownable and differentiated design language that spans from brand identity to industrial design, effectively expandable to multiple product lines within a distinctive aesthetic. While developing a holistic design language is relatively straightforward, crafting one that is truly differentiated in the market is what enables a brand to stand out. Our long-term partnership with Jawbone exemplifies this approach, as we collaborated to establish a unique and ownable design language across all their products, advertising, and packaging.
Over a 15-year collaboration, we worked with Jawbone to design products such as the Jambox, Mini Jambox, Big Jambox, the UP Band series, and various Bluetooth headsets. Beyond product design, we developed comprehensive brand strategies, naming conventions, packaging, and overall brand identity, ensuring a unified and recognizable presence in the market. This consistent design language extended seamlessly into Jawbone’s advertising and packaging, reinforcing the brand’s distinctive aesthetic across all consumer touchpoints.
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For instance, the packaging for the Jawbone ERA Bluetooth headset featured a layered design with a laser-cut slipcase matching the headset’s pattern, and an inner box printed with expressive imagery. Upon removing the outer layer, the box’s sides would fall away to instantly reveal the product and messaging, creating an engaging unboxing experience.
Similarly, the packaging for the Jambox speaker paid homage to its boombox inspiration with a sneaker-box design. The packaging featured a “that was then” and “this is NOW” theme, connecting the product to its nostalgic roots while emphasizing its modern design.
Through this holistic and differentiated design approach, we helped Jawbone establish a strong, cohesive brand identity that resonated with consumers and set their products apart in a competitive market.
Commercialization
Our comprehensive support extends beyond design and engineering to ensure that every product reaches its full potential in the market. Fuseproject leverages a broad network of industry contacts and resources to facilitate manufacturing sourcing:
Sourcing
- Our leadership brings decades of experience and strong networks in Eastern Asia, particularly in China, Malaysia, and Thailand. While we do not maintain full-time staff in these regions, our VP of Design—Qin Li, a native Mandarin speaker with over 20 years of experience—along with a team fluent in Mandarin, effectively supports vendor communications and production liaisons.
Support
- During the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and production phases, we serve as a bridge between design, engineering, and manufacturing teams. Our support includes:
- Developing CAD or physical models.
- Coordinating gate reviews.
- Conducting on-site production visits.
- Reviewing tooling, first articles, and production samples.
- Providing prototype feedback and strategic insights.
Business & Costing
Fuseproject understands that each innovation journey is unique. Our flexible business models are designed to align with your milestones and funding timelines.
Structure
- For complete design revisions—from initial concept through to DFM CAD—we work closely with our clients to determine the optimal balance of design and engineering support. We outline general cost ranges in our detailed proposals while ensuring that our pricing is responsive to the level of in-house support you already have in place.
Models
- Recognizing that involvement may fluctuate during the DFM phase, we typically adopt a Time & Materials (T&M) model. This ensures that you are billed only for active design and production support, based on an upfront estimate and actual work performed. For extended support, particularly in supply chain management, our role is advisory—making strategic recommendations and connecting you with trusted partners as needed.
Category-defining Firsts
Learn more
- Fuseproject’s mission is to empower leaders with innovative design solutions that produce unexpected, transformative experiences. By seamlessly integrating design, engineering, and strategic production support, we are a partner to the ambitious leaders who make tomorrow today.