Regarding The Wrapster
by jessWe’ve gotten a lot of feedback in our Community Forum on the industrial design for the “Wrapster,” the “Earbud Cord Management Thingy” submitted by Matthew Fleming. In the spirit of transparency, we’d like to give you guys some insight on how we came to our final decision on this project.
We got some great design submissions this round, and after much discussion, we narrowed the list down to two — Matthew’s original design and the Quirky “Bracelet Style” design. Neither design was perfect, and neither seemed like a fully marketable product for several reasons: size, design, functionality, etc. It was clear, that regardless of the winner, there was still a ton of work to be done in order to incorporate everyone’s feedback and design a bad-ass product.
In these cases, we try to select the design that is most like how we envision the product ending up. The form of the bracelet design was closest to the form we reckoned would wind up being used, given all the feedback that we’d collected and the competitive landscape. That said, the integration of a clip, vertical/horizontal wrapping, and even the elimination of the bracelet function were at the tops of our minds.
At the end of the day, we want to work with you to create the best product we can, which will appeal to a wide range of consumers. Put simply: we’d like to sell bajillions of stuff.
Given the conversation that’s transpired over in the Community Forum, we’d like to give both design ideas a fair shot… we’re going to a re-vote.
Over the next few days, we’ll fully complete both designs given all of the feedback that came in from the ID, research, and eval phases. We will create formal, 3D visualizations of both designs and reopen the project on Tuesday for a 24-hour revote. Submissions to this project will be closed, but comments, votes, and rating will of course be on.
We are excited to see how this plays out. We’re listening closely!
11 Comments
By Dion Carroll
You guys are so transparent & awesome! With the incorporation of the bracelet function, this will point blank SELL! You guys remember bendy rulers in elementary school that rolled up around your wrist? Maybe that was a lead or something. (Maybe not)
I like how you guys roll!
By Matt F
This is great. Yes, conveniently for me, but also as a gesture of good will, thoughtfulness, and collaboration.
I will happily vote for the bracelet version myself if I understand it (which was hard to do from a drawing), so I hope it is demo’d/explained well, from initial storage, to earbud use (with the product staying attached and/or as a bracelet), back to storage (winding and cord securing), Thanks! I want bajillion to sell too, so I want the best product to be made, not necessarily mine.
By Sandra Dee
This is fantastic. Thanks Quirky!
By grangermdk
The increased transparency, it is appreciated. I was lucky and happened to vote for both designs this last time.
I understand your thoughts on the re-vote, just be careful though, it seems like a slippery slope. I know the goal is to make the product better, but it could open a whole new can of worms. There is always someone that will not be happy with the way things turn out. So we have to be careful of not having to re-vote everything. Just my thoughts.
(I do want all of our products to be the best they can be, makes us all more money. So I trust Quirky to make those decisions for us)
Thanks for all of your hard work. I love the site and really enjoy the entire community. It is clear that the whole Quirky team works hard for all of us.
Thanks,
Mike
By Jerry tirado
Thank You QUIRKY!!! I was really disappointed because I create/demo the band industrial design and it was not good. I understand Quirky might do something a little different but I didn’t like the fact it didn’t clip on my shirt and wrap nicely. The wrap was really too tight, the wire didn’t slide smoothly and I can’t see myself paying more than 50 cents for it.
In the spirit of making money and quality products I’m glad Quirky is taking these steps. Take a look at the product demo I created.
From Designs
By amp
I am glad to see this step being taken. Where is the informational email to the entire quirky membership?
The bracelet design has one profit killing flaw. Anyone with a “Live Strong” bracelet or another currently available for 50 cents + an exacto knife, steak knife or cuticle scissors can rip off your bracelet idea. No money for all our effort.
Matt and quirky deserve to launch BIG from this concept. I’m ready to be a wholesale buyer, should the design change. Already into a promotions company, music industry and major trade show, as well as some corp giants.
The bracelet killed it all and caused me to doubt the integrity and professional choices made by your staff. I think a discussion forum of final design ideas needs to be presented to the community to avoid missteps, like the colors chosen for several products that definitely hurt sales.
By rroberson
Hey – It is starting to look a lot like a rubber band.
By rroberson
Problem: Winding the cords around the Wrapster causes them beend too tight and short out.
By rroberson
OK so I thought about it and came up with a better design idea. Simpler, lower cost, works better and has a the “Quirky factor”. I should be able to scan and attach it… Someone tell me HOW.
By jess
@ All: Thank you so much for your positive feedback. We’re glad our move toward greater transparency has been well-received.
@ rroberson: Unfortunately, we already held a revote on the design for this product, and Matt Fleming’s design won. You can check out the project page here: http://www.quirky.com/projects/236.
For the future, you can contribute your design ideas (by sketching and scanning them) during the industrial design phase of each project. The next ID phase will take place for Product 0033 today or tomorrow.
By William James
I like it.But I see know reason you can’t use the same name and idea to monopolize in Apple Iphone/pod craze and design one in the shape of an Apple?