Business Details
40 Years
experience
Industrial Design & Product Development Services
Since 1986, WhiteBoard Product Solutions has been a leader in product development, delivering innovative solutions across diverse industries from consumer products to medical devices. Our Minneapolis-based team combines industrial design, engineering, prototyping, and graphic design under one roof to accelerate time-to-market and maximize client ROI. With over 30 years of experience, we employ a collaborative 'Form Follows Reality' methodology that prioritizes project-specific realities to drive decision-making.Our cross-disciplinary approach leverages specialized expertise in design for manufacturability, advanced visualization, and prototyping capabilities including CNC machining and 3D printing. We maintain long-term client relationships by consistently delivering value through smart design that balances user needs, implementation requirements, and marketplace opportunities while maintaining rigorous quality standards through FMEA and engineering documentation.
Services
Product Innovation Workshops
Industrial Design
Engineering Services
Prototyping Solutions
Graphic Design
Design for Manufacture
3D Printing Services
Package Design
Medical Device Development
Consumer Product Design
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of cross-industry product development experience since 1986
- Our in-house prototyping capabilities include 15 different technologies
- Cross-disciplinary teams combine industrial design, engineering, and graphic design
- Proven 'Form Follows Reality' methodology prioritizes project-specific decision factors
- Full-service product development from concept to manufacturing validation
Services
Product Innovation Workshops
Our structured innovation workshops help clients unlock growth potential through collaborative problem-solving. Leveraging our 'Form Follows Reality' approach, we identify key market opportunities and develop actionable concepts ready for development. With on-demand access to industrial designers, engineers, and prototyping resources, we accelerate the innovation cycle from ideation to verification while maintaining focus on commercial viability.
Industrial Design
Our industrial design services create value through user-centered solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturability. The team employs advanced visualization techniques and scenario-based design to develop compelling product forms. We specialize in creating designs that optimize the intersection between user needs, technical requirements, and market opportunities while maintaining rigorous attention to design for assembly and production feasibility.
Engineering Services
Comprehensive engineering solutions from concept development to manufacturing validation. Our team utilizes SolidWorks and Pro/ENGINEER platforms to create detailed mechanical designs optimized for specific production processes. We provide materials selection guidance, failure modes analysis, and complete engineering documentation to ensure designs transition smoothly from prototype to mass production with proven quality assurance processes.
Prototyping Solutions
Full-service prototyping capabilities support rapid validation of design concepts through multiple development phases. With 15+ prototyping technologies including CNC machining, 3D printing, and injection molding, we create engineering verification models and production-intent prototypes. Our in-house model shop enables direct collaboration between designers, engineers, and clients throughout the iterative development process to accelerate solution refinement.
Graphic Design
Integrated graphic design services support product success through strategic visual communication. Our department develops packaging solutions that enhance product appeal while communicating key value propositions. Capabilities include brand development, user interface design, and sales collateral creation that aligns with overall product strategy to create cohesive market-ready solutions that resonate with target audiences.
People
Rick
Innovator in Chief
With over 35 years of product development experience since founding WhiteBoard in 1986, Rick leads innovation strategy and team development. He focuses on building collaborative environments that combine diverse expertise and advanced resources to deliver exceptional results for clients across multiple industries.
Jena
Creative Director
Jena drives creative excellence across projects, fostering a culture of innovation and technical precision. Her leadership ensures that each project benefits from fresh perspectives and rigorous attention to detail, delivering solutions that balance creative vision with practical implementation requirements.
Eric
Product Development Engineer
Eric specializes in translating conceptual designs into functional prototypes. His expertise spans multiple engineering disciplines, enabling holistic problem-solving approaches that consider both technical performance and manufacturing constraints while maintaining focus on user experience and market readiness.
Allen
Industrial Designer
Allen leads design initiatives that push creative boundaries while maintaining commercial viability. His work focuses on developing innovative product forms that optimize the intersection of aesthetics, functionality, and production feasibility through iterative prototyping and user-centered design principles.
Paul
Prototyping Manager
Paul oversees the model making department, ensuring rapid validation of design concepts through multiple development phases. His technical expertise in various prototyping technologies enables efficient iteration and refinement of product designs while maintaining strict quality standards throughout the development process.
Questions
What industries do you specialize in?
We serve diverse sectors including consumer products, medical devices, sporting goods, and electronics. Our cross-industry experience enables innovative solutions through transferable best practices and technical expertise.
How does your 'Form Follows Reality' approach work?
This methodology prioritizes key project realities like user needs, cost constraints, and manufacturing capabilities to drive design decisions, ensuring practical, market-ready solutions.
What prototyping capabilities do you offer?
We have 15+ prototyping technologies including CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and metal fabrication to validate concepts at every development stage.
How do you ensure product manufacturability?
Our engineering team collaborates with manufacturing partners throughout development, applying design for assembly principles and conducting failure modes analysis to optimize production readiness.
Can you handle complete product development cycles?
Yes, we provide end-to-end services from initial concept workshops through manufacturing validation, with all necessary disciplines available under one roof for seamless integration.
