So it only took me a ton of years to figure out 1 silly thing.

Your product is your brand.

I’d been thinking about doing all these things that were “DS4 design” branded.  Why,, no one wants to wear a brand that no one knows a thing about.  People want cool stuff and to later find out it’s part of a known brand, or it is associated with a brand.

So that’s it,, go make stuff (he Fred, why not listen to your own advice?)

Make products, your products are your brand.  So where are your products?

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!

so far, I’ve only managed to:

Delete my entire blog at www.ds4design.com

fail at upgrade a total of 5 times

Gotten VERY frustrated with the crew at Go daddy who have managed to: attempt to help me with my install, then fail, the next call,, another customer service guy inform me that they’re not allowed to help me, and the assistance provided was unsanctioned.

I’m really considering leaving GoDaddy and going somewhere more wordpress friendly (one of their reccomended providers).

It is bizarre, GoDaddy hosts, and does a 1 button install of wordpress (2.3.1) but they offer zero assistance when it comes to wordpress 2.3.2 yet there are known issues with 2.3.1 and it isn’t good to have that anymore (it can be hacked).

Any hints here would be awesome. Till then,, its back to wordpress.com (should I tell feedburner?! I guess so!)

How about that, Patriots and Giants! Who’da thunk it!

Click here to get your I’m not Steve shirt!!

You think you’re all that,, but are you Steve enough to get a Steve shirt?

There are two main models, the first, it just says “Steve”. Expected sales, 1 unit (yeah Mr. You Know Who)

For the Rest of us, there’s the “I’m not Steve” Shirt.

Simple, yes,, but let’s face it folks. Sometimes, you’ve gotta know where you stand. Sometimes it’s just on a floor in Cupertino, or it’s just somewhere else.

Click Here to get the shirt!!

Social Bookmarking

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!