We all have questions...

To kick off the project, we’ll send an invoice, ask you to complete a kick-off questionnaire, and book a meeting. We recommend using a laptop or desktop for the meeting rather than a phone. If you’re local, we can arrange a face-to-face meeting.

We require payment of the first invoice before starting the project. To avoid delays, please settle this promptly. A payment schedule will be shared during onboarding. Typically, invoices are issued on the last day of each month with 14-day payment terms.

A project timeline will be created during the kick-off meeting. It’s important to stick to the schedule to ensure the best outcome. Let us know about any planned holidays or key dates early on.

If you need extra time for feedback or meetings, we’ll adjust the timeline, but payments must still follow the agreed schedule.

Yes, but you must notify us at least 4 weeks before the next payment date. Pauses can last up to 2 weeks. If you cancel immediately, you’ll be charged for the next 4 weeks of costs. Let’s discuss any concerns about cash flow or project quality before making decisions.

We recommend budgeting 5-8% for expenses. Here are some examples:

• Product samples for benchmarking: £300
• Early models or 3D prints to validate form: £100-£200
• 3D prints for design mechanism or functionality: £300
• Models for photography: £1,500
• Sample express shipping from China: £120
• UK factory visit: £200
• China factory visit: £2,000

An admin fee of 5-10% is added to expenses, which will be included in the next monthly invoice.

Once the Design Phase is fully paid for, the IP of the final design will be yours. Until then, the IP remains with Morrama. Design registration costs start at £150, and patents at £3,000+ depending on regions and legal requirements.

It’s a fair concern, but in reality, it rarely causes delays. Our industrial design agency works asynchronously, which means progress keeps moving while you are offline. Most of the USA-based companies we work with actually find it faster, since they wake up to new updates instead of waiting for meetings to move things forward. We also schedule video calls when needed to align on progress, feedback, or anything that needs a real-time discussion.

At Morrama, we spend a lot of time working with startups and large corporations that operate from and in the USA, so we’re very familiar with expectations around usability, pricing pressure, and manufacturing realities. That experience helps us design products that feel right for the market from the start, not after multiple rounds of revision.

Many startups come to us before things are fully defined, and we help shape the idea into something that can be built, tested, and taken seriously. You don’t need a perfect brief to get started.

This phase includes two stages: Define and Explore.

• Define Stage: We create a list of design requirements based on research into:
  • Product landscape and differentiation opportunities
  • Target user needs and experiences
  • Design strategy aligned with your brand and goals
  • Materials, manufacturing options, and feasibility
• Explore Stage: We establish the product story by:
  • Wireframing product form and scale
  • Mapping user interactions
  • Problem-solving key functionality challenges
  • Establishing the aesthetic through moodboards and sketches
    

By the end of this phase, you’ll have a design strategy, requirements, wireframes, and a design language.

The Design Phase is divided into three stages: Develop, Validate, and Deliver.

• Develop Stage:
  We refine the product’s look and functionality using:
  • Quick mock-ups (e.g., foam, card, 3D prints)
  • 2D/3D CAD to define form and scale
  • CGI renders for photo-realistic visuals
• Validate Stage:
  We test critical elements through:
  • 3D printed prototypes
  • Cost evaluations with factory partners
  • Sustainability reviews
  • User testing
• Deliver Stage:
  Final deliverables include:
  • Final design presentation
  • 2D general assembly drawings
  • 3D CAD files
  • Bill of Materials (BOM)
  • IP transfer (upon payment)

This phase focuses on preparing the design for mass production. Key activities include:

• Tooling costs based on 3D data
• Materials and final product cost estimates
• Prototyping and testing ahead of tooling
• Factory communication for production readiness
• UX/UI testing (if applicable)
• Quality control guidance

Explainer: Think of this phase as finalising a recipe. While we know what the cake should look and taste like, here we refine the exact ingredient measurements and cooking instructions to ensure it’s perfect for production.

Here’s an example of a linear timeline:

1. Initial meeting and project scope agreement
2. Kick-off questionnaire and meeting
3. Define Phase (internal sprints, updates, and feedback)
4. Explore Phase (internal sprints, updates, and feedback)
5. Design Phase (Develop, Validate, and Deliver stages)
6. Design for Manufacturing (DFM)