(Cary, N.C.) With an increase in lean manufacturing and change in consumer trends, many independent industrial design firms are seeing an uptick in work due to on-demand outsourcing. Design Group Associates of Cary, N.C. is one of those firms leveraging specialized services and innovation to capture a greater market share of these new opportunities.

Owner Joe Casale focuses his company on new product design and development for a variety of industries like toys and games, office products and accessories, and home and garden tools. He has personally designed hundreds of products for mass production worldwide, invented dozens of others, and holds numerous patents. According to Casale, Design Group Associates utilizes his experience as well as leading technology to expedite product development efficiently with an emphasis on quality, style and marketability.

“What we do best is organize thoughts and ideas into product packages suitable for the mass market through product conceptualization and ideation,” he said.

Design Group Associates was established 20 years ago in Burlington, Connecticut and has operated for the past 12 years Research Triangle Park. After graduating from the Pratt Institute and working ten years in the corporate world as an Industrial Designer, Casale started his own studio.

Casale said one of the plusses of working for himself has been the opportunity to expand his services to a variety of industries.

“Using design and presentation skills, I’ve been able to diversify from product design into the invention, architectural and custom furniture industries,” he said.

In describing what Design Group Associates does for a typical client, Casale said design ideas come in a variety of forms such as a rough sketch, an inventor model or a written description. He then deciphers that information with what may already exist on the market and organizes it into a viable new product package. Then his firm works with marketing, engineering, and sales departments as well as manufacturers and factories worldwide.

“Every project that is commissioned to Design Group Associates gets my personal attention,” Casale said, adding, “We use our experience and ingenuity to continually produce innovative products for our customers.”

Despite increasing opportunities for independent design firms, Casale said there are still challenges to doing business in today’s economy. To meet these challenges, he said design firms must continue to apply innovation, creativity and technology to every aspect of their profession.

“It has been the innovation and technology of our country that has made the world the place it is today. As long as we have freedom in its fundamental form, we can continue to lead the world with innovative problem solving solutions,” he said.

For more information on Design Group Associates, visit www.designgroup1.com.