Question answered: What are the first steps to start a Food Design consultancy?
Updated: Sep 27
I received this question from José:
Hi Francesca! Hello from Mexico, so my question is: I want to create a Food design consultancy firm in Mexico, what can be the first step to start creating this career? Im already studying food design and Im an Industrial Designer.
Thank you José for your question! And here is my answer :)
Firstly, welcome to the world of Food Design, and thank you for wanting to be involved in it bringing your unique contribution.
Here are a few steps I suggest you take.
What is your Why?
Ask yourself what are the unique things only you - as the unique human being that you are, never-seen-before-in-the-history-of-life-in-the-universe-and-never-replicable-again-in-the-future, the unique concussion of thoughts, experiences, emotions, memories, and dreams that only you are - can bring to the world? What motivates you? And... What defines your INSPIRATION? Not incidentally this is the goal of the first method in my Food Design Thinking process.
What makes you YOU?
As a consequence of the previous point you'll define also what are your unique expertise, skills and knowledge, your attitudes and aptitudes, and what you - and only you - can offer to the world.
What is your niche?
Now you start defining which Food Design sub-discipline you belong to. Here is a refresher on all of them. Decide which sub-discipline(s) of food design you specialize in, whether it's Food Product Design (creating new food products), Eating Design (designing eating sotuations), or Design With Food or Design For Food, whether it's Food System Design, Speculative Food Design, or Marketing and Communication.
Remember to also assess market demand: Research the needs of food businesses, restaurants, hospitality, and other food-related industries you're interested in, to identify the demand for your services.
Competitive analysis: Look into competitors, such as other Food Design consultants or firms, and identify gaps or areas where your offering can stand out (e.g., Sustainable Food Design or innovative eating experiences).
Who will you affect and where?
Figure out the geographic location you want to intervene in. Consider that the more local your operations are, the more you'll be able to interact with people personally. Personal interaction create more genuine and stronger relationships between human beings.
How will people know about you?
Now you can think about your Brand identity, social media presence, website etc. You know all of this...
How will you get clients?
Oldest question in the world... Is it the most important question? Arguable...
I think most people haven't really figured this out, really. And those who say they do, and teach you how to do it, either got lucky or are a bit cocky. Maybe both. I think there are countless factors that go into this, which make things unpredictable. My suggestion are:
Follow the previous steps
Leverage existing contacts: Reach out to contacts in the food industry, including chefs, restaurant owners, and food manufacturers. Anyone that you like and you would love to work with!
Attend industry events: Show up and show your work. Participate in food industry conferences, expos, or design forums focused on food innovation. Show the work you love.
Join professional organizations: Become a member of Food Design associations, or organizations like the International Center for Food Design, which can offer networking opportunities.
Public speaking and webinars: Share what you know by speaking at food industry events.
Collaborate
Partner with complementary businesses and collaborate with architects for Food Space Design projects, or with chefs and nutritionists for Eating Design and Design With Food projects. Learn from other while doing, create opportunities for sharing knowledge and skills, have fun.
Focus on Value
Provide top-notch consulting, focusing on delivering unique and innovative solutions tailored to the client’s brand and goals, whether it's a new food product or an immersive eating experience.
Establish Feedback loop: ask for client feedback and refine your services.
And offer follow-up services such as redesigning products based on market trends or evolving dining experiences for returning customers.
Hope this helps José!
Thanks again for sending your question :)
Have a lovely day and Happy Food Design
francesca
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