Electronics and industrial design are sometimes seen as oil and water. Two disciplines with completely different ways of thinking. One focuses on circuit boards and performance, the other on form, user experience and aesthetics. But let’s be honest: that view is outdated. In a world full of smart devices and ‘connected’ products, it is simply essential that technology is not just there, but that it works both functionally and visually. In fact, it is precisely the combination of electronics development and industrial design that makes the difference between a good idea and a rock-solid end product. At GBO Innovation makers, we know this better than anyone. Product design with electronics integration is in our DNA. We ensure that electronics and design do not clash, but reinforce each other, from concept to production line. In this blog, you can read how we work closely with electronics developers to create smart, stylish and manufacturable products. Because only when technology and design come together does something truly special emerge!
Are you looking for a robust product design with integrated electronics? If so, there are important decisions to be made right from the start. These include functional specifications, component selection and the essential close collaboration between industrial design and electronics development. At GBO Innovation makers, we have extensive experience in shaping and streamlining this process. We have completed dozens of projects in close collaboration with various electronics developers – from independent PCB specialists to in-house R&D teams at large corporations. Whether you work with your own partner for PCB development, have an in-house team, or are still looking for the right expertise: we fit in seamlessly. We regularly collaborate with our regular electronics and software design partners, but are just as happy to work with other parties. What sets us apart? We speak the language of electronics engineers. This allows us to engage in substantive discussions from day one and bridge the gap between aesthetics, functionality and manufacturability. Even before the electronics development officially begins, we help draw up clear functional specifications – the foundation for a successful, feasible design.
A crucial collaboration within any electronic product design is that between the electronics developer and the industrial designer – particularly when it comes to actively searching for, identifying and selecting components. These include sensors, actuators, displays, buttons, LEDs, cables, power supplies and batteries. Selecting the right components is not a matter of ‘just picking something’, but of strategic consideration. Every product has unique requirements, whilst the market offers thousands of variants from different suppliers. Electronics developers primarily assess components on technical performance such as accuracy, response time, power consumption and lifecycle management. Our industrial design team, on the other hand, looks at aspects such as ease of assembly, accessibility for maintenance, robustness at high temperatures, repairability and moisture resistance. Only by working closely together from the outset can we arrive at the optimal choice – one that gets both the technical and practical aspects right. This is one of the first and most decisive steps in the development process: the selected components directly influence the cost, dimensions, weight and even the aesthetics of the end product. Once we have jointly identified promising components, we order samples and subject them to thorough testing. In this way, we lay the technical and visual foundations for a successful electronic product.
When developing an electronic product, precision is key – especially when it comes to fitting components and the PCB design within the housing. Space is often limited, and every detail counts. The design must not be compromised by technical constraints, and conversely, functional requirements must align perfectly with the industrial design. To achieve this, we work with accurate CAD data from suppliers and estimate the dimensions of custom parts based on input from the electronics engineers. All these components are then incorporated by our team into a detailed 3D model, in which we carefully arrange the optimal layout for components and printed circuit boards. In addition to digital models, we sometimes also create physical 3D-printed mock-ups. These allow us to quickly assess whether a particular layout can be assembled effectively in practice – a simple yet effective validation method. Both the 3D models and the mock-ups form the basis for substantive discussions between designers, electronics developers and the client. Key considerations at this stage include heat dissipation, the strategic placement of mounting points, the PCBA design, electrical shielding, strain relief, and the length and routing of cables. By taking these factors into account early in the process, we avoid costly and time-consuming redesigns later in the development phase.
Collaboration between electronics developers and our industrial design team remains essential in the subsequent stages as well. The electronics developers are responsible for the entire hardware and software development process – from the PCB design to the firmware that controls the system. At the same time, we ensure that the PCB design, cabling, power supply and other electronic components are integrated safely, logically and aesthetically into the housing.
Once the technical engineering has been completed, the focus shifts to testing and validation using a working prototype. This is when close collaboration really proves its worth. By working closely together from the very start, electronics development and industrial design align seamlessly – which significantly reduces the likelihood of surprises at this stage.
Of course, a prototype sometimes requires a few more iterations before it fully meets all functional and user requirements. However, because we carefully go through each step, these adjustments are usually minor and manageable. In this way, we work purposefully towards a reliable, manufacturable and attractive end product.
When developing an electronic product, choosing the right electronics is one of the most critical decisions in the process. This choice affects not only the technical design of the product, but also the development budget, lead time, final production costs and scalability. Broadly speaking, there are three approaches that can be considered: bespoke PCB design, the use of prototyping boards such as Raspberry Pi or Arduino, or the use of programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Each option has its own advantages and limitations, depending on the application, the type of product and the stage of development.
To make the right choice, it is important to carefully consider the required functionality, the expected production volumes, the available budget and the technical complexity. A misjudgement at this stage can lead to delays or unnecessary redesigns later in the process. GBO Innovation makers actively supports clients in making this strategic decision. Thanks to our experience in electronics development and electronic product design, we can contribute ideas at an early stage regarding the most suitable (technical) approach – one that meets both the functional requirements and the market objectives.
Voor elektronica die geschikt moet zijn voor massaproductie is maatwerk PCB design in almost all cases, the only option. A custom-designed printed circuit board offers maximum design freedom, optimal integration with the housing and a high degree of reliability. It also ensures flexibility in production and can be highly cost-effective when produced in sufficient quantities. Once the PCB design is finalised, production can be outsourced globally to specialist manufacturers. Thanks to automated production lines, the PCB design is realised at high speed and with precision at low cost. This scalability makes it particularly attractive for mass production. However, developing your own PCB is also the most complex form of electronics development. It requires in-depth engineering, precise layout planning, and intensive firmware development. This naturally entails time and investment, making a custom PCB particularly worthwhile when expected sales exceed 5,000 units per year.
However, there are exceptions. Even for smaller volumes, in-house PCB development can be the right choice – for example, for products that fulfil very specific functions or operate in high-margin markets, such as medical equipment or industrial instrumentation. GBO Innovation makers supports companies throughout the entire PCB development process, from concept to production-ready design. In this way, we ensure a solid foundation for every electronic product that is ready for the market.
Raspberry Pi and Arduino are popular choices for prototyping, DIY projects and small-scale production. These open-source electronics are easy to programme and offer a short development time thanks to extensive software libraries and community support. However, the standard boards are less suitable for professional applications: they often lack specific functionalities or contain unnecessary components that increase the cost and energy consumption. They also fall short in terms of reliability and durability, making them less suitable for long-term or industrial use. Although open-source electronics reduce development costs, they almost always result in a higher unit price. That is why, at GBO Innovation makers, we advise makers to use platforms such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi only for prototypes, small batches, or when time and budget do not (yet) allow for in-house PCB development.
PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) are a widely used solution in industrial automation and are employed to design reliable control systems. They consist of standard electronic modules that are mounted on DIN rails, for example, and offer advanced I/O functionality for controlling processes. Thanks to their robust construction, PLCs are particularly well-suited to demanding environments such as maritime applications, offshore, manufacturing, construction and mining.
Thanks to their modular design, PLC systems can be configured and programmed relatively quickly, using components available from various suppliers. They are particularly recommended for applications requiring precise, continuous control of critical functions. However, PLCs are less suitable for mass production: each system must be assembled manually by specialist technicians, which makes them particularly suitable for expensive professional equipment produced in smaller batches. GBO previously designed this PLC for Omron.
Seamless collaboration between electronics developers and industrial designers is essential to the success of any electronic product. At GBO Innovation makers, we ensure that technology and design reinforce each other – from the initial sketch and functional prototype right through to the final product. What may seem like a complex combination on paper results in innovative, well-thought-out and visually striking products in practice. The results? They speak for themselves – take a look at our portfolio and discover how we bring technology and design together.
