We are now offering a package to new clients that is simple, straightforward, and direct.

Two hundred bucks, for 2 hours.

What you say?! You’re a small company, or a single inventor looking to develop a single idea, or to improve on a new product, why would you want to pay that just to talk to some Schmoe you’ve never met?

We will discuss your product, how it’s designed, what you’ll need to make it happen along with some real prices of what that’ll take to execute. We’ll analyze what you have in terms of an existing idea and intellectual property, and start a road map with real goals to bring your idea to fruition and protect what you’ve developed (we will sign your N.D.A. once we read it).

We can meet in person (I’m in the Bay Area (Northern California USA) and I do travel occasionally as well).  Even easier, we can meet over Skype. I can see you, you can see me, and we can get real work done without having to drive hundreds of miles, (you’ll be fresher, and so will we!)

It’s our latest offering, to help you dip your toe into the wider world of dealing with the Professional Industrial Design world, without breaking the bank, and without any further commitments. If you want to move farther with us and partake in our other services, we’re happy to help you (we have an 80% return rate from the initial meeting, and many of those who haven’t returned, simply haven’t yet (we always keep in touch)).

Hop over to our about page to contact us!

Here’s what she sent me:

“I would like to share this (took off the name to protect identity) email that I got today.”

“I’d be interested to read about interactions you’ve had with successful product inventors. I am exploring what it takes to create a product that I’ve thought of. Whenever I look up inventors I find resources that look hobby-ish. I haven’t seen one with a professional feel. Maybe this is who inventors are, hobbyists looking to strike it big like
the rest of us.”"

I do see the “hobby” reference, and the confusing distinction about “inventions/inventors” and product development (it keeps me up at night). ‘Inventors’ I prefer to use the words “product developers” and professional ones at that, are thought of in many ways, this is my simple breakdown

1.wacky inventor: Has an idea, and has no idea what it takes to design, prototype, protect, manufacture, ship, sell, and market an idea, typically wastes a lot of time and money and accomplishes little to nothing.

2.Product developer-hobbyist class: someone who develops a product unrelated to their day job to generate extra income. They have a job they like, and while they’d like it to “hit” and get rich, or parlay it into a full time gig, no matter the outcome they’ll be ok, they’re doing it for enrichment, not as a do or die effort.

3.Product development professional: Typically a person (or design group). These people focus on a portfolio of products, with product life cycles. They may be a single person, generating 1 or many products, and know where to access the information they need to execute the many parts of product development. Typically as solitary actors, they have a technical bent (if not a degree). In the case of “development houses” the action is to move both in house designs forward and consultant level incoming ideas through as well.

The “Big difference” through all of that, is that on the professional side, it is the whole action. It is keeping all the balls moving all at once (or having a team to do it). There are some reputable firms and individuals available if someone does seek that. A great place to seek them out can be people who have to interface with individuals that interact with people and businesses of this nature and know where to start. Another way to go (especially for licensing) is to identify the industry being targeted with the idea, and make in-roads there. Many times a product can be developed and sold online to build a following, then ramped up in terms of production.

If they are looking for hobbyist data, it abounds and is free all over, however, true product development requires creation of a complete “business” (no matter how small or large). The only way to cut the amount of “business” required is to license directly (again this can be done with a reputable product development/design house).

The knowledge base to look for in a professional is this:design, manufacture, web, marketing, sales, fulfillment/logistics, budgeting. Without at least some knowledge (or a relationship in all these areas) the group is likely on the “hobby” side.

The industrial design houses, that typically specialize in this sort of endeavor for large companies are also open to working with individuals (and frankly prefer it when they come with money). They are professional, have a process for all of this in place, and can work with an “idea person” to generate a working product from beginning to end.

A great place to start looking for a real design firm (and not an “invention group”) would be at idsa.org, or www.coroflot.com There are plenty of small scale (read 1 or 2 person teams) that are ready to help you make your great idea reality. They will cost you some money, (you’re lying to yourself if you feel otherwise). They likely will want to be paid for work done, you will rarely find people that are willing to partner for equity alone, they’ll want hourly and equity/royalties,, don’t worry, for the price you’re paying you’ll still be vastly better off, with a better design, a better product, a better supply chain, and a much better looking design.

I’ll generate a few more posts on this topic (finding designers, marketers, salespeople, and more)

Last but not least, there’s always me www.ds4design.com

Oh right, you’re already here.

Thanks again for the inspiration Pamela!

David Seah (Dave to humans who have met him for more than 3 seconds) is the mastermind behind The Printable CEO and other amazing time management/productivity/organization sheets and forms. I even got him to autograph(see the pic above) his own form (that reminds me, I should get Tristan to sign an Ionic Breeze!)

I make a point to communicate with people online who I find fascinating, and that generate truly amazing content, Dave’s work is quite singular in this regard. He, surprisingly to me, began to ask many questions of me and my process, as I was curious about him and how he went about things. He has run the gamut from web design to game design, currently experience design. He’s well rounded, well spoken, and will likely shove a camera lens in your face that is about twice as big as you expect. Wait till he posts about the cool little hack on said camera!

Dave and I are both in the position of trying to develop products, sell them, and actually make things that people want (and are useful). We discussed a lot about fulfillment (personal, and places to ship your products from). We discussed virtual products and how to interact with the aspects of rights management therein (a scary proposition) (more on this and the rest of these conversations in later posts, fear not).

Of course we began with the hysterical introduction of getting out our various writing tools and pads, anyone watching would have likely been rolling their eyes. Out came two Moleskines, mine book style, his reporter style, we of course compared our built in hacks, his copiously readable and designed notes, and a filled pocket with tricks galore, mine with volume label, pen holder (on spine) and again the pocket filled

(personal moleskine pocket stash: stamps, $20 bill, post it tabs (mini), prepaid postcard, and a spare biz card).

Having someone to converse with on your projects, especially as removed as someone who has shared interests and goals, yet there is no overlap (his sales will never impact my sales) is such a great type of person to find. I cannot recommend this sort of discussion enough. Each of us is working towards developing products, and generating income while doing what we love. It was great as we both have been researching many of the same things, and it was interesting to see where our knowledge overlapped, and where one of us had found much more information on a particular topic.

We also discussed Linkedin, as we have both been searching for a number of particular answers (that neither one of use knew exactly where to go with) and we noted that it seemed by far to be one of the best places for genuine business knowledge transfer. We also noted that for “old school business info” SCORE (the SBA’s retired executive coaching wing) is a really useful place for knowledge on simple things like getting a business license, which ones we needed, and the like.

Do go and read Dave’s articles please, you’ll be better for it!

He even did a post about our meeting,, cool!

It’s so funny, Dave is so introspective, while I sat there and we talked his pen flowed across the page. I always enjoy watching people who take copious and excellent notes, as it is a wholly different experience from my hideous chickenscratch.

Apparently I should go do things now, but there’s much more to write of Dave’s and my meeting in the near term (as well as enumerating my ongoing projects and how Dave’s advice has helped me.)

Have a great day! Go make an online friend a real friend!

Their iconic piece the “Ionic breeze” is up for a Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum People’s Design Award.

This is a piece that has been around for years and everyone knows it by sight. Great lines, and functionally excellent, the Ionic Breeze is just a great piece of hardware. Please do go vote for it, and other favorites of yours by following this link.

Why would I do this,, hey, the designer is a good friend of mine, plus, he might tear my arm off and beat me with them like a wookie.

Why? Why would I not put it all out there, on the line, and say

Hey!

Look at me toss out idea after idea that doesn’t work!

Oh, yeah,, that’s why.

So coming out of my little shell is a tad odd. There’s a lot to do, and a lot still to be done. Part of this is all just one big “Note to self”. The rest can be chocked up to self serving whining, and offhanded mild publicity attempts.

Like you, I read all the “web marketing”, “Web 2.0″, “social networking” things.

I can be found on Facebook, Myspace, Coroflot, Orkut, Friendster, Linkedin, Cork’d, and a bunch of others I can’t even think of right now.

The problem is, there are so many ways to “be out there,” yet, with “being out there.” What’s really going on? Do you have something to really sell? Are you running a business, or just having fun (and being silly?) Silly is fine, especially if you’re focused on silly,, sometimes, silly is best.

But to do that, you’ve still got to have the knowledge to know just where you’re going with it (plan your silly just a bit here).

As much as I’ve “planned” what I’m going to be doing here, it’s still not as solid as I’d like it to be. I design products and sell them. Personally I prefer to license them to large companies and bootstrap my projects by having big companies buy and sell them. It’s a win win for them, they get a different type of product that is thought out, manufacturable, and works with their current product line. While I get rewarded for my efforts.

I’ll elaborate much more about my process as we go on, but this leads us to the next upcoming post “Not Invented Here Syndrome” and what to do about it.

Also, we’ll deal with the realities of “too many clubs” or put another way,, even if you’re a member everywhere, what should you do with it, and is it worth it?

Cheers!