Design audit and strategy

This is an analysis of a company’s operations, focused mainly on its design potential and needs. The result of this process is a design strategy.

What is a design audit?

A design audit is an analysis of a company’s operations, focused on its design potential and needs. It covers an assessment of products, services, communication, and processes, to identify where design can improve quality, functionality, or how the brand is perceived. The result of the audit is a design strategy — an action plan that helps develop the company’s offer and align it with what users expect.

What does a design audit at GRID look like?

As part of the audit, we analyze:

  • the beneficiary’s design, in terms of their product offering
  • their business model
  • their technology
  • their organizational structure
  • their communication processes
  • the beneficiary’s needs in design management
  • their use of design and their market potential.

The audit also covers defining the marketing strategy, identifying and characterizing customers and competitors, and mapping the industry trends most relevant to the beneficiary.

Design strategy — what does it include?

The design strategy is a report from the completed design audit, and it includes:

  • A general profile of the company — a design analysis covering products, technology, organizational structure, customer communication processes, and marketing strategy.
  • A general overview of the company’s design environment — customer characteristics and a description of its main competitors.
  • A description of market trends — the industry, social, and technological trends most relevant to the company, with strong potential to affect its market.
  • An assessment of how much the company currently uses design, and its potential in that area.
  • Identifying design-related problems within the company (which may relate to the product itself as well as other business processes).
  • Possible ways to solve those design problems.
  • Recommendations for further, detailed next steps.
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Who is a design audit for?

A design audit is meant for companies looking to develop their products, services, or how they communicate with customers. It’s used mainly by SMEs, because it helps organize their offer and identify where design can improve quality of work and how the brand is perceived. Companies planning to launch new solutions, refresh their image, or adapt to market changes also benefit from an audit. It works well for both manufacturing and service companies that need an assessment of functionality, visual identity, or internal processes.

Have questions?

We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible and answer whatever you’d like to know.

Contact us!

Completed audits, strategies, and EU-funded projects

European Funds for Eastern Poland Programme 2021–2027
Priority FEPW.01 Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Measure FEPW.01.04 Design in SMEs

  • JJPM Sp. z o.o. — Developing and implementing a new, aesthetically refined design for a product used to dilute and store chemical solutions.
  • Pana Central Europe Sp. z o.o. — A modular recycling shelter with access control.
  • SUN FLASH ENERGY Sp. z o.o. — Implementing a product innovation: a charging station for micro-electric mobility devices, developed through the design process.
  • Ilsho Sp. z o.o. — Mazovian hive — a new beehive design for honeybees.
  • SOCCA S.A. — Designing a multifunctional, mobile installation for automated football training.
  • Zakład Usługowo-Produkcyjny “Konfekcja” Wiesław Gąsiorowski, Michał Gąsiorowski — Developing a modular system of down-and-textile insulation covers for a wide range of applications.
  • RAMS Boards Sp. z o.o. — A hybrid drive system for a water bike.
  • Mercus-BUS sp. z o.o. — Implementing a design-strategy-based product innovation: manufacturing a camper van designed for people with special needs.
  • Galmeo sp. z o.o. — Implementing a design strategy to bring reusable, refillable perfume packaging to market.

Measure 2.3 Pro-innovation Services for Enterprises, Sub-measure 2.3.5 Design for Entrepreneurs – Accessibility Plus, Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020, Priority Axis II: Support for the R&D Environment and Capacity of Enterprises

  • CAVCA sp. z o.o. — Company growth through launching a coffee vending machine adapted for people with disabilities (project no. POIR.02.03.05-12-0046/21).
  • KAPS sp. z o.o. — Company growth through launching a new line of preventive orthopedic insoles for elderly users (project no. POIR.02.03.05-12-0122/21).
  • PIOTR BODZOŃ FHU “BODZOŃ” II — Running a professional design process alongside an initial investment (project no. POIR.02.03.05-IP.03-00-001/20).
  • Wiesław Hartabus F.P.H.U. “UNIWERS STUDIO” — Delivered as part of the project “A modular exhibition space arrangement system adapted for wheelchair users.”
  • Nieruchomości “Kagoma” Katarzyna Gołąb-Majek — An innovative modular furniture system in the Podhale style, built into kitchen spaces and designed for people with disabilities. The project focused on involving end users directly in the design process.
  • CAWI sp. z o.o. — Expanding CAWI’s offer through the design of innovative therapeutic tools for children with hearing impairments (deaf and hard of hearing).
  • VARCH sp. z o.o. — Developing new designs to launch a new product line for pregnant women.
  • ELJOT sp. z o.o. — Developing a strategy for the next steps needed to design a new children’s furniture set (a desk, chair, table, cabinet, and bed), including the design brief and design direction, followed by executing the design.
  • ANNA KWIATKOWSKA IMAGINE DESIGN GROUP — Boosting Imagine Design Group’s competitiveness by implementing new designs and expanding its product offering.
  • PPUH “MEBLOTEX” SPÓŁKA CYWILNA — Company growth through the design of modular furniture using acrylic fronts.
  • MAJEK STOLARSTWO ARTYSTYCZNE — Company growth through the design of furniture panels and a modular furniture set inspired by the Podhale (highlander) style.

Operational Programme Eastern Poland. Measure 1.4 Design for Competitiveness (coordinated by the Studio OdRzeczy team)

  • Sanex sp. z o.o. — 2018 — Phase I, contributing to the design audit and design strategy
  • Sanex sp. z o.o. — 2019 — Phase II, contributing to the concept and design development
  • Podłogi sp. z o.o. — 2018 — Contributing to the design audit and design strategy
  • P.H. Dobis sp. z o.o. — 2018 — Contributing to the design audit and design strategy
  • Plast System sp. z o.o. — 2018 — Contributing to the design audit and design strategy

Check out our product design services and our current design grants.

Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020, financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Measure 2.1 Support for Investment in Enterprise R&D Infrastructure — 2020

 

  • CONSULTRONIX SPÓŁKA AKCYJNA — Creating and manufacturing a new Class IIb medical device: HOPETHERM, a core body temperature thermometer.

FAQ

To start, it helps to have information on your products, technology, company structure, how you communicate with customers, and your marketing activities. We'll also need a description of your customer base and information about your competitors.

It depends on the size of the company and the scope of work. A shorter audit takes a few days. A broader analysis needs more time to gather data and prepare recommendations.

Yes. The audit is the first step, because it shows which problems are worth solving and which actions make the most sense. That way, the design strategy is grounded in facts.

Yes. Once the analysis is complete, we can continue supporting you — developing the design strategy, product designs, or changes to communication and processes.

Contact us!