Case Study: From Concept to Costco in 18 Months
Client: Rad Golf | Industry: Golf Technology
Bringing a product to market is never easy — especially when retail timelines are tight and manufacturing obstacles threaten to delay progress.
Rad Golf came to DIP Studio with a bold vision: to launch a new line of premium golf products that combined performance, innovation, and retail readiness. But they weren’t just aiming to launch — they were aiming to land in Costco, one of the most competitive big-box retailers in the U.S.
Together, we transformed that vision into reality. In just 18 months, Rad Golf went from early concepts to a multi-SKU product line sitting on Costco shelves — with sales to match.
The Challenge: Racing Against Time and Retail Pressure
Rad Golf’s team was building something ambitious: a complete suite of tech-forward golf accessories. But several challenges stood in the way of hitting their retail targets:
Tight Deadlines: With Costco’s seasonal buying cycle approaching fast, missing the window could mean waiting another year to launch.
Manufacturing Inexperience: While Rad Golf had a strong vision, they lacked experience optimizing products for scalable, cost-effective manufacturing.
Retail-Ready Packaging: Costco’s packaging standards are notoriously strict, requiring consumer-friendly, visually compelling designs that also comply with logistics and shelf display needs.
They didn’t need just a design vendor — they needed a strategic design partner to bring products to life fast, without sacrificing quality or brand integrity.
The Solution: Rapid Execution Backed by Strategic Design
At DIP Studio, we kicked into high gear. Our team worked closely with Rad Golf across disciplines to streamline development and deliver a line of retail-ready products — on budget and on time.
Rapid Prototyping: We used an agile approach to iterate fast — building, testing, and refining prototypes quickly to reduce design cycles and make data-driven decisions in real-time.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Our team optimized each product for manufacturability from the start — ensuring that every design could move seamlessly from CAD to production without delays or costly redesigns. This approach helped reduce tooling complexity and save significant time on the backend.
Retail-Ready Packaging: DIP Studio designed shelf-ready packaging that adhered to Costco’s requirements while elevating the Rad Golf brand. We focused on visual clarity, protective structure, and consumer appeal to create packaging that stood out and held up — both on the shelf and in shipping.
Why It Worked: Agility as a Competitive Advantage
One of the biggest reasons this project succeeded so quickly? We’re not a large, bureaucratic agency — we’re an agile, senior-led studio with a direct line to decision-makers.
While bigger firms often take two to three months to deliver a multi-product concept lineup, we presented a full six-product lineup in just 48 hours.
This was only possible because:
We move fast. No layers. No handoffs. No waiting.
We work directly with founders and stakeholders. No middle management means real-time decisions and rapid pivots.
Our senior designers lead every project. No juniors fumbling through — just smart, experienced creatives making it happen.
That speed, clarity, and precision saved weeks — if not months — and allowed Rad Golf to stay ahead of schedule and impress retail buyers early.
The Results: Retail-Ready in Record Time
The outcome was a category-ready product launch that checked every box:
18 months from concept to Costco contract
6 SKUs developed and production-ready
30% reduction in tooling costs via optimized DFM
50% faster time-to-market compared to standard industry timelines
200% increase in sales in the first quarter after hitting retail
Rad Golf didn’t just meet their goals — they exceeded them, entering the market with momentum and credibility.
Client Testimonial
“DIP Studio’s fast-tracked design process was a game-changer — their strategic thinking helped us secure our dream retail deal.”— Peter Johnson, CEO at Rad Golf
Behind the Scenes: Our Design Philosophy and Collaboration
What made this project stand out was the level of partnership and speed of execution. Our team operated in lockstep with Rad Golf, staying lean and responsive while ensuring that no detail was overlooked.
We believe that great design is strategic — every decision should push the product forward while anticipating scale, cost, and market appeal. From the shape of each product to the fold of the packaging, every aspect was crafted with purpose.
At DIP Studio, we don’t just deliver files — we stay close to every build, every test, and every milestone, ensuring a smooth path from prototype to production. For Rad Golf, that hands-on approach made all the difference in meeting Costco’s standards and buyer expectations.
Key Takeaways for Founders and Product Teams
Rad Golf’s journey shows what’s possible when speed, strategy, and execution align. For hardware startups and growing brands, here are a few lessons to consider:
✅ Agility is everything — Rapid prototyping and iteration can dramatically reduce timelines without sacrificing innovation.
✅ Design with the end in mind — DFM thinking from day one prevents costly production delays and unlocks scalability.
✅ Retail readiness isn’t optional — Packaging and presentation must meet strict buyer requirements and tell a compelling brand story.
✅ Choose the right partner — A design studio should be more than visual — it should be your go-to strategic ally.
About DIP Studio
DIP Studio is a full-stack product design and development lab based in San Diego, California. We partner with fast-growing startups and visionary founders to bring bold product ideas to life — from first sketch to shelf-ready execution.
Our services include:
• Industrial Design
• UI/UX and Digital Integration
• Packaging and Brand Systems
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Supplier Collaboration
Ready to Bring Your Product to Market — Fast?
If you’re building the next generation of consumer products and want a design partner who understands speed, scale, and success — let’s talk.
👉 Contact us today to start your journey with DIP Studio.
