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Most buyers do not begin a portable fan project with professional drawings. A more practical starting point is often an existing product from the market, supported by a few images, links or a physical sample.
The buyer then explains what should be retained, what should be changed and what should be avoided. The industrial design team uses this information to create a new appearance direction.
At this stage, the target market, core functions, target cost, quantity and schedule should already be available from the product brief. They do not need to be confirmed again.
Start With a Suitable Reference Product
A reference product gives the buyer and manufacturer a shared starting point. It can be:
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A physical product sample
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An online product link
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Product photos from different angles
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A hand sketch
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Several products showing different preferred details
The purpose is not necessarily to copy the reference. It is to show the expected product type, size, proportion, operation or appearance direction.
When using several references, explain which detail comes from each one. For example:
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Use the overall size of Product A
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Follow the handle shape of Product B
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Use the display position of Product C
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Avoid the visible screws on Product D
Annotated images with circles, arrows and short notes are often more useful than long written descriptions.
The Three Questions Buyers Need to Answer
Buyers do not need to understand industrial design terminology. For most reference-based portable fan projects, three questions are enough to begin.
| Question | What to Explain | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What should be retained? | Identify the parts of the reference product that already work well. | Keep the overall height, foldable use and basic handle proportion. |
| What should be changed? | Mark the areas that should look or operate differently. | Make the fan head smaller, move the button to the front and enlarge the display. |
| What should be avoided? | Show details that do not fit the brand or product direction. | Avoid exposed screws, sharp transitions and a glossy full-body finish. |
This simple structure helps the designer understand the buyer’s real priorities without asking the buyer to prepare technical documents.
Five Items to Confirm During Industrial Design
Once the reference product and change list are clear, the buyer normally needs to confirm only a few visible design decisions.
| Item | What the Buyer Confirms |
| Overall appearance | The main shape, proportion and visual direction of the new fan. |
| Required changes | Whether the requested differences from the reference have been included. |
| Visible controls | The position and appearance of buttons, display, charging port and other visible elements. |
| CMF and branding | Color, material appearance, surface finish and logo position. |
| Final rendering | The selected design direction before an appearance prototype is made. |
The buyer does not need to select the motor model, design the airflow path or define the PCB layout at this stage. These are engineering responsibilities and will be developed according to the approved product requirements and available internal space.
What Should Be Reviewed in the Renderings?
Industrial design renderings allow the buyer to review the product before a physical appearance prototype is produced.
Use this short checklist:
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Does the overall shape match the intended direction?
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Are the product proportions acceptable?
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Have the requested changes been included?
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Are the parts that should remain unchanged still correct?
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Are the buttons and display in the expected positions?
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Is the charging-port position acceptable?
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Are the colors and surface finishes appropriate?
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Is the logo position and direction correct?
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Are there any visible details that should be removed?
Feedback can be added directly to the rendering with arrows and short notes. Consolidated comments are easier to process than separate messages sent at different times.
A Simple Portable Fan Example
A buyer selects an existing handheld fan as the reference platform. The internal product concept and functions have already been discussed in the product brief.
The industrial design request could be summarized as follows:
| Area | Buyer’s Direction |
| Retain | Overall product height, foldable use and basic internal platform. |
| Change | Fan-head shape, handle curve, front grille, button position and display panel. |
| CMF | Low-saturation light blue, matte housing and black hidden display. |
| Branding | Small front logo with no large decorative graphics. |
| Avoid | Exposed screws, excessive surface lines and a bulky appearance. |
Based on these points, the designer prepares one or more appearance directions. The buyer selects the preferred proposal, provides marked feedback and confirms the final rendering.
The project can then move to the appearance prototype stage.
A Copyable Design Change Form
Buyers can copy and complete the following short form. It is acceptable to leave undecided items blank.
| Design Item | Buyer’s Information |
| Reference product / link | |
| What should be retained? | |
| What should be changed? | |
| Preferred colors | |
| Preferred surface finish | |
| Logo position | |
| Details that should be avoided | |
| Additional reference images | |
| Other comments |
What Does the Buyer Receive?
The industrial design stage normally provides the information required to confirm the appearance direction, such as:
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Appearance renderings
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Multiple viewing angles
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Main product dimensions
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CMF direction
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Visible button, display and logo positions
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Approved exterior 3D data
These deliverables confirm what the product should look like. They do not mean that the complete internal structure, PCB, airflow path or production tooling has already been finished.
What Happens After Appearance Approval?
After the final appearance direction is confirmed, an appearance prototype can be produced to review the physical size, proportion, color direction, grip and overall look.
At Chaozhou Tongheng Technology Co., Ltd., an appearance validation prototype is normally completed in approximately 3–4 working days after the 3D model and appearance renderings are approved.
The next stage is structural engineering and the engineering functional prototype. To understand the difference between these samples and the later T0 mold trial, read our OEM Product Development Timeline.
Keep the Process Simple
Buyers do not need professional industrial design knowledge to move a portable fan project forward. A suitable reference product, a clear list of what to retain and change, and timely feedback on the renderings are usually enough to complete the industrial design stage.
If you have a reference product, sketch or idea for a custom portable fan, contact Chaozhou Tongheng Technology Co., Ltd.. Our team can help turn the available information into a clear appearance direction and prepare the project for prototype development.
