New Product Development Designer/Executive

Role: New Product Development (NPD) Designer / Executive

Company: Compact Innovation Avenues Pvt. Ltd. (CIA)

Location: Bangalore (on-ground vendor & printer visits required)

Type: Full-time | Salary: ₹30,000–₹40,000 per month (depending on experience) + performance incentives

Reports To: CMO (Mr. Cherish Tota) & Founder

Workdays: 5.5 days/week (Saturday half-day for reviews/iterations)

🎯 Role Summary:This is a hands-on, design-first, anti-sales role for someone who loves converting ideas into tangible, manufacturable realities.

You will work directly with the founder to transform IP-backed concepts, sketches, and voice notes into functional prototypes for stationery, gifting, and packaging products.

Your work will span design exploration, material experimentation, vendor collaboration, and documentation for scalable production.

📦 Your Responsibilities:

1. Concept → Prototype

1.1 Translate founder’s design ideas, IP notes, or sketches into functional mockups for stationery and packaging (e.g., diary mechanisms, giftable sets, paper innovations).

1.2 Execute paper engineering, dielines, and special mechanisms that bring creative product concepts to life.

1.3 Rapidly iterate: prototype → test → refine for usability, finish, and manufacturability.

2. Material & Process Exploration

2.1 Identify and source sustainable materials — recycled and unbleached papers, eco-friendly boards, fabrics (like denim for diaries), coatings, and fasteners.

2.2 Collaborate with printers, binders, die makers, converters, and finishing vendors to validate production feasibility.

2.3 Conduct on-ground material trials and manage vendor feedback to achieve cost-effectiveness without compromising creativity.

3. Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Costing

3.1 Convert prototypes into DFM packs — including dielines, CAD files, BOMs, and QC checkpoints.

3.2 Develop cost sheets (good/better/best) and suggest yield and wastage optimization for mass production.

3.3 Ensure repeatability and efficiency in the production process through vendor alignment.

4. IP, Documentation & Version Control

4.1 Maintain trials logs, version control, and vendor notes for every prototype iteration.

4.2 Prepare internal decks showing the creative journey — Problem → Idea → Prototype → Feasibility → Next Steps.

4.3 Uphold strict confidentiality for patent-protected designs and concepts.

5. Vendor & Production Collaboration

5.1 Build and maintain a qualified vendor network (2+ vendors per process) for printing, packaging, finishing, and binding.

5.2 Oversee sample production and ensure prototypes match design intent.

5.3 Create sample kits and explainer notes for internal teams on usage, sustainability story, and handling instructions.

6. Launch Readiness & Marketing Support

6.1 Collaborate with the marketing team to prepare design presentations, product mockups, and packaging visuals for launch.

6.2 Attend trade fairs, exhibitions, and expos to observe market trends and gather material/vendor insights.

6.3 Support the creative and brand consistency of all visual collaterals related to the product line.

What Good Looks Like (KPIs)

1. 2–3 prototype iterations completed per concept within planned timelines.
2. DFM documentation packs are fully ready for pilot production.
3. Minimum 2 qualified vendors per core process.
4. Costed variants finalized with transparent trade-offs.
5. All prototypes well-documented and ready for marketing/sales kits.

Candidate Profile

1. Must-Have

1.1 Education: Graduate/Diploma in Product, Industrial, or Communication Design (CKP/Chitrakala Parishath, NIFT, NID, Srishti, MIT-ID, or equivalent).

1.2 Portfolio: Strong design work in stationery, packaging, or gifting — especially dielines, mechanisms, or innovative paper engineering.

1.3 Experience: 1–4 years preferred; talented freshers with strong portfolios considered.

1.4 Tools: Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or CAD proficiency for dielines and 3D prototyping.

1.5 Mindset: Resourceful “jugaad” innovator with an eye for detail, usability, and manufacturability.

1.6 Work Ethic: Anti-sales, hands-on, curious, and deeply creative.

1.7 On-Ground Orientation: Comfortable visiting vendors, printers, and binders to execute real prototypes.

2. Nice to Have

2.1 Familiarity with eco-materials and sustainable manufacturing.

2.2 Experience with bindery/finishing (lamination, emboss/deboss, stitching, buckle closures).

2.3 Exposure to IP or patent-driven design workflows.

2.4 Ability to think beyond aesthetics — designing for mass adoption, cost efficiency, and repeatability.

Compensation & Benefits

1. Salary: ₹30,000–₹40,000 per month (depending on experience/portfolio).

2. Performance Incentives: Linked to productization milestones and project completion.

3. Reimbursements: Local travel ₹3.50/km; approved outstation at actuals.

4. Support: Access to design software, production tools, and vendor network.

5. Perks: Phone allowance; BYOD laptop acceptable.

(Insurance benefits to be introduced soon)