At Panasia Solutions, we believe great product design is where innovation, engineering, and manufacturing excellence intersect. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Adam Ostroff – an experienced industrial designer with nearly 20 years in the field – about his journey in product design, the importance of functionality, and how technology like 3D printing and AI is reshaping the future of consumer products. From smart home devices to mass-market innovations, Adam shares how companies and entrepreneurs can turn ideas into successful, manufacturable products – and why having the right sourcing partner, like Panasia Solutions, is essential to bringing designs to life.
Adam: First of all, thanks for having me and for asking such great questions. I’m hoping I can share some valuable insights with you. My name is Adam Ostroff, and I’m an industrial designer. I actually started on the engineering side – I did two years of engineering school – then switched over to industrial design. I’ve been designing consumer products ever since, and it’s coming up on 20 years now.
These days, I focus mostly on electronics and smart home products – that’s really where my bread and butter is. After nearly two decades working for various companies, I decided to start my own business. I now provide design, engineering, and product development services for small companies, entrepreneurs, and inventors – basically anyone with an idea for a product.
On top of that, I’ve also launched another venture where I’m developing my own smart home invention, which is something I’m really excited about.
The Journey Into Product Design
Panasia Solutions: Can you tell us about your journey as a product designer and what led you into this profession?
Adam: That’s a really good question. Most designers have a particular skill set that leads them into this profession. For me, it really started when I was a kid. I was always drawing – probably in class when I shouldn’t have been – and I was always curious about how things were made. I grew up in the ’80s, and my dad was, to his credit, kind of an electronics geek. Back then, that was a pretty niche interest. He’d buy all kinds of gadgets. I’d end up taking them apart—removing screws, opening them up, and trying to understand how they worked.” I wanted to know how they were put together.
So I think it was a combination of those two things: the drawing and the curiosity about how things work. When I started college, I was focused on engineering – nuts and bolts, problem-solving, that kind of thing. I didn’t even know industrial design was a career option. Once someone introduced me to it, though, it really clicked. Industrial design sits more on the creative side. Designers don’t just solve technical problems. They define what a product will be from the beginning. You’re drawing, you’re imagining, you’re shaping something from nothing. That was a big draw for me.
What makes me a bit different from many designers is that I also like to engineer my own products. Because of my background, I can go beyond just the conceptual side – I also have a good sense of how things are going to be produced.
That said, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Earlier in my career, I focused too much on the visual side. But the truth is, if you don’t understand how things are actually made – how they’re manufactured – then all you’re doing is drawing pretty pictures. That’s fine. But at the end of the day, if a product can’t be built in the real world, you’ve got a problem.
Panasia Solutions: What inspires you when creating a new product? Are there particular trends or influences you follow?
Adam: These days, we’re living in an online world. It’s easy to stay on top of design trends – whether it’s shapes, colors, or styling. That’s definitely part of the process: keeping up with what’s popular. You’ve got access to hundreds, if not thousands, of similar products on Amazon or in stores, so it’s important to be aware of that landscape.
But for me, what really inspires me is inventing something different. All those existing products are great, but what drives me is the user experience – finding a way to make it better or completely rethinking how something works. A lot of people out there are just copying what’s already being done, and there’s not much innovation in that.
If I can open up a product – even a small, simple one – and find a little tweak, a small feature that improves how someone interacts with it, or takes the idea one step further to unlock new possibilities, that’s what excites me. That’s what pushes me to create.
Panasia Solutions: How would you describe your design philosophy? What principles do you prioritize when designing products?
Adam: I don’t like to follow – I like to innovate. That’s really where I try to differentiate myself. Of course, it’s not always easy. Some products are already highly developed, or you’re working within an industry that’s been well established for years. But I think it’s important to at least go through the exercise of asking: What can I do differently? What can I improve?
That’s really the core of my design philosophy: don’t follow, don’t copy – innovate. Even if it’s just improving the user experience in a small but meaningful way, that matters. I do love styling, and I appreciate great aesthetics, but for me, real value comes from creating something new.
Balancing Form and Function
Panasia Solutions: How do you balance aesthetics and functionality in your designs?
Adam: That’s always the big question with designers – what’s more important, form or function? It’s a classic conundrum. If you ask a designer, they’ll usually say form. If you ask an engineer, it’s function. For me, it’s function, honestly.
Early in my career, when I was a more naive young designer, I probably would have said form. But really, what’s the point of any product if it doesn’t work? A product needs to serve a purpose and perform well. It can be beautiful, but if it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, then to me, it’s kind of worthless.
That’s my philosophy. I have to be able to use the product, and it has to perform its intended task. If it looks nice while doing that, great – but function always comes first for me.
Panasia Solutions: How do you approach understanding the needs and preferences of different target markets when designing a product?
Adam: Obviously, there’s a target market for every product. A lot of the work I’ve done in the past has been for the mass market. I spent a long time at a company called Homedics, where we designed products sold in places like Walmart, Target, and Costco. With that kind of work, unless it’s a niche product, you’re designing for the masses. You want something broadly appealing – because if it’s too specific, it might not resonate with that wider market.
Now, if you’re designing something like a skateboard, that’s a very defined user base. Skaters have specific tastes, especially around color and aesthetic. But when you’re designing for the masses, it can be pretty challenging too. You have to strike a balance – make sure the product appeals to both masculine and feminine preferences, and doesn’t alienate anyone.
When it comes to niche markets, it’s all about research. For every product I work on, I start with a mood board. That includes current offerings, similar products, and even parallel products from other industries. You can learn a lot from products outside your direct category. So, target markets can be very specific – but they can also be quite broad depending on the context.
Panasia Solutions: Can you walk us through your design process, from concept to final product?
Adam: It always starts with an idea – whether it’s mine, an entrepreneur’s, or from a company with a product in mind. That’s the seed. I like to begin with brainstorming, jotting down quick ideas, even sketching something out on a napkin if that’s what it takes. I prefer starting this way before doing any market research, just so my thinking isn’t immediately influenced or boxed in by what already exists.
Once I’ve explored the raw idea, then I dive into research. I look at what’s out there in the market, what similar or parallel products exist – even in other industries that might offer inspiration or solutions. Then I move into sketching concepts and creating 3D mockups. I do a lot of 3D printing, which is incredibly helpful. Being able to go from an idea to holding a physical prototype in just a few hours is a game-changer. It lets me quickly test things out, get a feel for it, and iterate.
After that, I shift into the engineering side. Depending on the product, I explore different mechanisms or approaches that could make it better, more cost-effective, or easier to manufacture. I collaborate with clients during this phase, too – there’s a lot of back and forth to make sure the core vision is intact.
Once we’re happy with the design, both visually and technically, I’ll often send the 3D print to the manufacturer so they can understand it hands-on. From there, we move into the pre-production phase. If we’re manufacturing in China, for instance, that typically involves several rounds of sampling and refinement.
But what’s really important to me is seeing the process through – from concept to completion. Some designers hand things off after the design phase, but that’s often when things get lost – design intent, usability details, even core features. I like to stay involved through the manufacturing process, even traveling to factories when needed, to make sure what we end up with is exactly what the client wanted. That kind of hands-on involvement makes a big difference.
Overcoming Design Challenges
Panasia Solutions: What are some common challenges you face in product design, and how do you overcome them?
Adam: Every product comes with its own set of challenges. A lot of them are technical – engineering hurdles, materials, mechanisms – but some are just about solving a real-world problem. And honestly, that’s how most good products start: trying to solve a problem, no matter how simple or complex. As a designer, your job is to work through those challenges, to keep iterating until you get it right. In my experience, there aren’t many problems that can’t be solved – it’s usually just a matter of time, creativity, and persistence.
But beyond the technical, there are also financial challenges. That’s a huge factor. At the end of the day, this is a business – everyone’s trying to create something that not only works but also makes sense commercially. You’ve got to be careful not to over-engineer or over-design to the point where the product becomes too expensive to manufacture or scale. That’s just as important as the design itself.
This is where a company like Panasia Solutions really adds value – being able to step in during sourcing, cost evaluation, and helping bring those numbers down without compromising the product. Because once you get into production, that’s often where things start to unravel. Maybe a component isn’t available. Maybe it’s too costly, and all of a sudden, your business model no longer works. You have to be able to adapt. You can’t get too attached to any one part of your design.
Sometimes, you’ve got to throw the whole idea at the wall and rethink it. Ask yourself, “How do I reduce this cost by 30%?” That flexibility – being able to pivot and rethink – is critical. Because products evolve, and if you don’t evolve with them, they fail.
Panasia Solutions: What trends in product design do you believe will shape the industry in the coming years?
Adam: AI is one of the biggest developments impacting our industry right now. I try to attend the major trade shows as often as I can – CES is probably the biggest and most relevant one for me – and AI is always a major theme there. Right now, it’s still a work in progress, but we’re already seeing tools where designers can sketch something out and instantly get multiple styling variations. You can pick and choose from those to help shape your direction, and that’s pretty exciting.
That said, I think as AI improves – which it absolutely will – it’s going to have a massive impact on our field, and not all of it positive. I do think it’s going to end up taking a lot of jobs in industrial design, especially on the lower or more repetitive end of the spectrum. On the technical side, there are already CAD tools where you can input something like “give me a flange with X and Y dimensions,” and it’ll generate a usable 3D model. That kind of automation is only going to grow.
Personally, I try not to rely on AI too heavily. I use it more as a way to spark ideas or explore options, but I still do most of the modeling manually. The tech just isn’t quite there yet where it can replace actual design thinking. I still need to use my brain and experience to really create something that works. But there’s no doubt – AI is going to change this industry dramatically in the next five to ten years.
The Future of Product Design
Panasia Solutions: How do you see technology influencing the future of product design?
Adam: I think the most exciting emerging technology – at least for me – is 3D printing. I’ve always been a bit of a geek about it. I’ve been using 3D printers for over 12 years now, and it’s been incredible to watch how much the technology has evolved. The quality and accessibility have improved dramatically.
We’re at the point where people can download actual, usable products from online libraries. You no longer always need to place an order or wait for shipping – you can just print the item right at home. It doesn’t work for every product yet, of course, but for a lot of basic household items, 3D printing is going to disrupt how we buy and use physical goods.
There’s also exciting progress in areas like UV printing, which is making waves on platforms like Kickstarter. We’re moving toward a future where people will be able to manufacture real products right in their homes. Right now, it still takes some experience in design and 3D modeling, which I happen to have, but even that barrier is starting to come down. Eventually, everyday users who’ve never modeled anything before will be able to print and create things themselves – and that’s a huge shift.
Panasia Solutions: If you had to choose one product that you’ve designed to represent your work, which one would it be and why?
Adam: I’d have to say it’s the product I’m working on right now, which I’ve named Ark. It’s essentially a smart terrarium – or a smart planting device. The idea is that users can create their own mini ecosystems inside it. You could plant something like a Venus Flytrap, a cactus, or even build a little rainforest environment.
What makes it special is that Ark is packed with environmental sensors and controls. It monitors conditions like humidity, light, temperature, and more – and all of that data is sent to an app. The app tells you exactly what’s going on with your plants, how they’re doing, and whether they need attention.
I think it’s really exciting because it represents where I see the future of product design going – combining physical products with intelligent technology. Instead of just assuming a product is working, now you get real feedback. Products are starting to have “brains,” in a sense – they’re aware of their environment and can communicate that to the user.
So yeah, Ark is probably my favorite design so far. It’s packed with sensors, tech, an app, and a really interactive user experience. It’s exactly the kind of product I love creating.
Panasia Solutions: Any final thoughts?
Adam: The best thing about working with Panasia Solutions is how they help manage the entire process. But just as important – if not more – is having a reliable sourcing partner in Asia. That part of the journey can be really tricky. There are a lot of pitfalls: people might try to take advantage of you, or worse, steal your idea. That’s a real risk when you’re dealing with overseas manufacturing.
Most companies turn to Asia for cost reasons, but it’s critical to have someone who knows how to navigate that landscape – someone who acts as the bridge between the designer or engineer and the actual production process. That’s where Panasia is invaluable. They handle all the logistics, speak the language, and ensure the product is moving through milestones correctly, with the right quality standards, sourcing, and materials in place.
Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of great products fall apart – not because of bad design or poor engineering, but simply due to bad sourcing or mismanaged production. Having a company like Panasia that you can trust to manage all that behind the scenes is absolutely essential for anyone trying to bring a product to life.
