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Product Insight has been around since 1991. But in recent years, it’s felt a lot like a startup. In just the past 24 months, PI has quadrupled in size. The halls are filled with fresh faces (and some familiar ones, too) with lots of new ideas and a tangible, contagious energy. We’ve expanded into new industries, working with some of the largest companies in the world on today’s toughest challenges. The pace of change has been dizzying at times, but of course, it hasn’t happened overnight. In truth, our rapid expansion is based on a strong foundation that we’ve been building for the past three decades; a technical mindset, a love of problem solving, devotion to design excellence, and a focus on the user. If you haven’t worked with us in a while, you would be surprised at how different we look now. We haven’t fundamentally changed who we are, but things have certainly changed.
How did we get here?
Three years ago, approaching Product Insight’s 30th anniversary and at the height of a global pandemic, we asked ourselves what the next 30 years might hold for our industry. What should a design company in this near-future look like? What challenges might we face in the years leading up to 2050? How could we help meet those challenges?
Our company was founded by designers, and design methodology will always remain at the heart of how we approach our work. But good design has always been more than skin deep for us, and over the years our client base has gravitated toward medical, biotech, life science, commercial and other B2B equipment. We’ve been honored to work with companies developing life-saving therapies, cutting-edge instrumentation, the future of mobility and the infrastructure of tomorrow. We recognized an opportunity: by leaning into a more capable and integrated design and engineering approach, we could more effectively meet the needs of these pioneering companies while making ourselves more effective agents for positive change.
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In 2020 we began to refocus the company, first by adding new leadership in engineering and an expansion of our technical capabilities including mechanical engineering, electrical & software, systems engineering and robotics. In the past year we have also added new design leadership along with capabilities in UI/UX, usability, and visualization. And later this year we will be moving into a larger, state-of-the-art facility in nearby Boxborough, MA that will give us the space we need to continue growing our team and doing the kind of work that fuels our passion.
Of course, this is a work in progress; we’re still growing and learning along the way. We’re excited to share what we have been working on and our new look. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for us, and to bring you all along on this journey.
Welcome to the new Product Insight!
-Jim Varney, CEO
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