A mock up product may not seem very important at first glance, the business veterans can attest to the power of an effective mock up. The problem is most companies don't have the in-house resources or capabilities to produce a professional mock up product. Their only option is to turn to an outside business to develop it for them. The problem is identifying the right company to complete this task. Fortunately, there are several characteristics every elite product design company has in common.
The most important characteristic high quality companies have is the ability to provide proof of their recent successes. This is often accomplished by offering access to a portfolio of recent projects. One thing to keep in mind is just because they may not have experience in a particular industry doesn't mean they wouldn't do an excellent job. The key is to look at the overall quality of the mock up products they have made in the past and see if any of the designs or skills is transferable to the new project. Included in their portfolio should be a list of references which can be contacted as well.
Along with a strong portfolio, it is also important to consider their level of influence or authority within the product design industry. Not only do these articles prove they are thought leaders within their industry, but it also provides additional insight into how they operate and their level of skill.
Another factor to consider is the equipment they have available on-site. Unfortunately, some mock up product creators try to cut costs by renting equipment as it is needed. This can cause a variety of problems. The most obvious problem is they cannot get access to the equipment they need to complete a specific project. Another potential issue is their quote will be inaccurate because they underestimated the rental cost of the equipment they will be using. Plus, if they are constantly renting equipment there is little chance they have employees who are experts at operating any particular machine. A company was willing to invest in equipment not only shows that they are serious about their craft, but it also means they likely have the experience necessary to maximize the equipment capabilities.
Mock up products are incredibly valuable for presentation purposes which make choosing the company that creates them equally important. Fortunately, every elite company has similar characteristics in common which makes it easy to spot the good ones.
