From Sketch to Shelf: The Collision of Industrial Design, Marketing, and Manufacturing with Michael Prince
This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I connected with Michael Prince, founder of Beyond Design and a veteran industrial designer with more than four decades of experience bringing ideas from sketch to shelf. Michael’s career spans iconic brands like IBM, Sony, and Thomson Consumer Electronics, and over the last 32 years, he’s built Beyond Design into a trusted partner for inventors, startups, and companies navigating the realities of manufacturing.
Our conversation lives at the collision point of industrial design, marketing, manufacturing, and emerging technology. From rapid prototyping and 3D printing to crowdfunding and AI-assisted ideation, Michael shares what it really takes to turn an idea into a viable product, and why understanding the entire ecosystem matters more than ever.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
What industrial design actually looks like from concept to manufacturing
How 3D printing transformed rapid iteration and product development
Why crowdfunding has unlocked a new generation of independent inventors
The real story behind the Card Mill Kickstarter success
The difference between a prototype that works and a product that can scale
How designers collaborate with electronics, engineering, and manufacturing partners
The tradeoffs between U.S. manufacturing and overseas production
How AI is disrupting design careers, and where it genuinely adds value
Why AI works best as a tool for ideation, communication, and exploration
The long-term importance of staying adaptable as technology evolves
“If you stop keeping up with the technology, it doesn’t wait for you. It just moves on.” – Michael Prince
Michael’s perspective comes from decades of watching entire industries shift from manual drafting and typesetting to CAD, 3D printing, and now AI. His point isn’t fear-based; it’s pragmatic. Tools will change, roles will evolve, and some jobs will disappear. The designers who endure aren’t the ones clinging to the past—they’re the ones who learn, adapt, and integrate new tools without losing judgment, craft, or intent.
In this episode…
Talking with Michael felt like a behind-the-scenes look at how ideas actually become products in the real world. We explored the realities of manufacturing, the risks hidden behind viral Kickstarter campaigns, and how trust and collaboration shape successful outcomes. What stood out most was Michael’s grounded optimism—his belief that while AI and automation are disruptive, they also open doors for smaller teams, independent inventors, and specialists to collaborate in powerful new ways.
Whether you’re a designer, engineer, founder, or creative thinker with a product idea in the back of your mind, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to move from inspiration to execution without shortcuts, hype, or illusions.
Shout-Out to Card Mill, a Magic: The Gathering card sorting machine created by independent inventor Jonathan, and a standout example of what’s possible when great ideas meet the right design and engineering partners.
Until next time,
Carl Cleanthes
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Beyond Design (Michael Prince’s Studio): startbeyond.com
Card Mill (Magic: The Gathering Card Sorting Machine): cardmill.com
MHub Chicago (Innovation & Maker Space): mhubchicago.com
3D Printing Tools
Ultimaker Cura (Slicing Software)
Ender 3 V2 (3D Printer)
AI & Creative Tools
ChatGPT
Midjourney
Community & Platforms
Kickstarter
Discord
Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by Epic Made.
Epic Made creates memorable animation, digital art, and graphic design to elevate brands.
They are a collective of talented artists across a multitude of disciplines who can handle the creativity and communication of any project.
Epic Made has created commercials, key art, social content, and more for leading entertainment brands such as the SYFY Network and Nickelodeon.
To learn more, go to www.epic-made.com or send an email to hey@getepicmade.com.