| Mar. 13 2008 at 3:54 PM |
|
|
@Kerm: whut? 
Tiger Taco , Nice Taco Blog
|
| May. 29 2008 at 4:26 PM |
|
|
Great article! Many points I enjoyed and offer advice to our clients as well, specifically, showcasing your prototype to the right audience, and having a go vs show prototype.
What this article did not dive into enough I believe, is digital prototypes. These can be an incredible way to showcase your product in many different avenues: your own personal website, others websites (such as invention listing pages, depending on your virtual prototype), at a trade show on the computer, etc.
We have had numerous clients contract our design firm solely for this initial service to showcase to investors. These products all had at least one thing in common, they were going to require at least six-figures in seed money for R & D. With our VirtuType, which run's on a Java platform, negating the need for downloading software such as a comparable SolidWorks (CAD) extension. You are able to rotate, zoom, simulate and explode the view of the invention.
Besides digital prototyping and distribution, I would recommend ProtoCam as a physical rapid prototyping company. They've been very helpful, and much much cheaper then four other prototyping companies when we were comparing pricing for our own products prototype.
Cheers!
-You may indeed fail before you succeed, but don't make it a habit.
|
| Oct. 17 2008 at 5:59 PM |
|
|
Well, this topic is very near and dear to me because I own a product development / design company. Here is my take: If you absolutely do not have the money than you can consider building the prototype yourself or enlisting the help of a single engineer or designer.
BUT and this is the big but, development/design firms will do what they do best: Design and Develop! That means taking everything into account such as human factors analysis (i.e. does this product feel right in an average person's palm), refining designs (colors, surface material), marketability (how do we get this product to SELL well in the market. Does it have a stunning design, yet function as intended?), to cost optimization for manufacturing (how can we design this product to decrease manufacturing costs and boost quality?). All these factors play a big role in the success of your product and ultimately your brand. These firms can help you develop something out of a simple sketch on a napkin, all the way to full 3D models, rapid prototypes, and ultimately helping you source a reliable manufacture either domestic or overseas.
Also, for those short on money, many design/development firms including our own can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement such as designing your product for free but taking 2% - 3% royalty for every sale. That way you don't take a hit up front and only pay a small royalty if your product sells, so it is in the best interest of both the inventor / company and the design / development firm to make the most attractive, marketable, and successful product for you and your company.
Don't be afraid to contact product design / development firms. If your idea is good, I'm sure you can work something out with the firm that does not always require upfront payment for design and development services.
Good Luck!
Sanyo Tzeng
Synthesis Labs, Inc.
www.synthesislabs.com - Product Development, Engineering, Brand Cohesion
|
| Oct. 20 2008 at 1:15 PM |
|
|
Hey Sanyo, that's an excellent summary of the value a firm like yours can provide in areas most inventors don't even consider until they are well into the process; your company sounds like it would be a great partner for someone starting out and I wish you all the best!
Chris Miller, a simple taco maker.
Tiger Taco , Nice Taco Blog
|
|
|