This document discusses the importance of understanding consumer needs in new product development and the gap that often exists between marketing and product design functions. It proposes that conjoint analysis is an ideal tool to bridge this divide by helping to develop customer-focused, successful products. The document provides background on new product development processes, the challenges faced by industrial designers, and the value of incorporating formal consumer research methods early in the development process. It argues that conjoint analysis can help overcome deficiencies in translating voice of the customer information for product designers to create useful, usable, and satisfying products for consumers.