Archive for October, 2010

• Sun, Oct 31 2010

  Quirky Brief #6: Let’s Make Something Cool For Kids!

  By jess at 11:59 pm

  Remember how fun it was to be a kid? We do. So for Quirky Brief #6, Quirky’s takin’ it back. WAY back. We’re takin’ it all the way back to childhood. This brief’s for all the moms, dads, nannies, and mannies out there…

  Let’s make a really cool thing-a-ma-bob for kids.

  For this brief, we’re looking for products that cater to the 2 to 8 crowd. Could be anything, so let your imagination run wild. After all, we’re all young at heart!

  And hey, if it means breaking out the crayons and construction paper for your idea sketches, do what you gotta do. We won’t judge.

  Ideation is live. Submit your idea here!
  

  • 5 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • kids,
  • quirky brief
• Fri, Oct 29 2010

  Production Report #2: Click n Cook

  By brian at 6:46 pm

  The past three weeks…

  Click n Cook is looking good, and it’s almost ready for production. The T1 samples of the five spatula head types looked great, and they even work with our 3D-printed handle! We are making some slight adjustments, like softening sharp edges and specifying a stiffer durometer for the mixing head. Overall, a very positive run. Check them out below (and please note that the colored tab is not shown in these images).

  

  Over the past few weeks, we have also made several modifications to the CnC base and handle design, and our factory has nearly finished executing them.

  Here’s the base in a historical context (final base design on bottom). Its evolution is a great example of how much designs can change in a short time span. Throughout its development, many factors dictated this product’s final form: improving visual aspects of design, modifying general ergonomics/usability, solidifying manufacturing feasibility, etc.

  

  We received an updated quote for the final base design and confirmed with the factory that it is within our range. It is now time to move forward. Let the injection molding begin!!!

  The next three weeks…

  We are expecting T2 versions of the spatula heads next week, and we should see tooled T1 samples of the final base design and improved handle in mid-November. We will provide an update then, so stay tuned.

  • 2 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • click 'n cook,
  • manufacturing,
  • p33,
  • production report,
  • products
• Fri, Oct 29 2010

  Rating, Schmating

  By jess at 12:32 pm

  Starting today, there will no longer be rating for Industrial Design, Naming, Tagline, Logo, and other non-evaluation projects.

  This change will go into effect after the Product 61 naming project closes out.

  You will still be able to rate ideas in Product Evaluation phase — and you’re encouraged to!

  There are a couple of reasons why we’re making this change for non-eval projects:

  - As many of you have told us (quite loudly!) rating for these projects was a major time-suck, especially as the number of submissions continues to grow.

  - Because fewer people were rating, we weren’t receiving as much useful, conclusive data.

  - We want you to be able to focus your efforts on finding and pushing forward the best names and taglines through your votes.

  That’s all, folks! Feel free to hit us back with questions and comments on our community-powered support forum powered by Get Satisfaction.

  • 17 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • evaluation,
  • process,
  • rating
• Thu, Oct 28 2010

  Introducing… Shower Station

  By jess at 8:53 pm

  Searching for the perfect bathroom caddy? Shower Station organizes and customizes to fit your shower space, and it’s now available for just $45 (MSRP: $50) in the Quirky store.

  

  Everyone has different shower habits, and different stuff to go with those habits. That’s why we created Shower Station, a stylish modular shower storage solution with detachable components so you can organize all the bath accessories you use.

  Shower Station consists of a rectangular metal frame with a dual chrome/brushed metal finish and four detachable shelves designed to hold any size bottle or bar soap. Each shelf also includes a removable silicone insert, with perforations to securely hold toothbrushes and razors upright.

  Shower Station includes:

  - A rust-proof metal frame, with an inner chrome finish and an outer brushed metal finish.

  - Four sets of shelves, each containing a rust-proof wire frame shelf, removable silicone insert, and plastic clip for attaching to the frame.

  - Hangs from your shower head — no installation necessary!

  - Bottom suction cup, so your Shower Station attaches firmly to the wall without sliding around. Suction cup also includes two hooks for holding loofahs and bath poofs.

  Shower Station’s metal frame measures 21” x 13.5”, and fits most standard shower walls.

  • 8 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • p58,
  • products,
  • shower station
• Thu, Oct 28 2010

  Industrial Design For P63: Inspire Us!

  By gaz at 12:19 pm

  So you may have noticed a little something different when Industrial Design for Product 63, the “perfect scoop” dip bowl, launched last night.

  Unlike other rounds, we didn’t start off this project with a handful of sketches. We’re offering a completely blank slate. Rather than inspire, we want to BE inspired by all of you out there in the community. So come on — “wow” us!

  Our design process is a constantly evolving and iterative experience. This is just one way we’re shaking it up.

  Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

  • 1 Comment
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • industrial design,
  • p63,
  • process,
  • quirky design staff
• Wed, Oct 27 2010

  When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

  By jess at 5:22 pm

  We’re in the process of developing the ultimate dip bowl. So in the interest of product research, and product research alone, we HAD to hold an office-wide dip-off.

  (Sigh) The things they make us do around here.

  

  Our array of dips and dippers.

  

  Dip bowl FAIL.

  

  Salsa on knuckles: it’s a problem.

  • 9 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • dip-off,
  • p63,
  • product research
• Tue, Oct 26 2010

  Contour Logo Inspiration

  By kate at 4:59 pm

  We want to make sure the Contour is not just another hanger. Your dry cleaner is giving you wire hangers for free, so we’re making sure that Contour is different, with a level of elegance that evokes emotion. Here’s what’s inspiring us, and what should inspire you for the logo design project:

  

  The Swarm Screen shows great play between its different parts. Even though everything is at 90 degrees, the screen creates a lot of movement in the space it takes up.

  

  We love that the Autoban chair has a playful nature because of its width and curves. Even though all of those elements are constant, the chair has some very elegant profiles.

  

  The A-Stool is a great example of a super simple and clean, yet highly effective, design. Its pure geometries mixed with the tapering of its profile creates a really interesting form that is visually very light.

  • 6 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • contour,
  • inspiration,
  • logo design,
  • p59
• Mon, Oct 25 2010

  Hey-Hey From Pei-Pei

  By nancy at 9:07 pm

  

  Oh hi, Quirks! I’m Nancy, or Pei-Pei (see About Us for elaboration), and I am so excited to be the newest addition to the Finance/Ops team!

  I was brought on to manage the growing Quirky inventory from all our sweet products. With two product selections a week now, a growing retail presence, and holiday season right around the corner, I’m here to make sure the products are where they’re supposed to be and ready for business. I’ll be diving right in to build the inventory accounting function and compulsively track your products from start to finish.

  The Finance/Ops crew made it very clear that I need to bring number crunching to a whole new level of kickass. I agree, so on my first day I showed them a product analysis file AND a box of scones. How ‘bout them apples? In short, I’m here to make things happen and have a lot of fun doing it. I’m feeling all sorts of fantastic about this because the amount of intelligence, creativity, and passion in this office is unbelievable and I am so happy to be a part of this team.

  Now, some random snippets of delight about me:

  I fist-pumped my way across the Pacific Ocean at the ripe age of 4 because someone told me there were unicorns in America. This was a cruel and unfunny joke. To soothe my heartache, my parents (HI MOM AND DAD) bought me a Chow-Chow puppy, which is some sort of hybrid between a lion, a grizzly bear, and a piece of popcorn, with a purple tongue. Pei-Pei and Chow-Chow… I can’t make this up.

  Anyone who has ever seen me in the presence of a candy bar knows to physically restrain me because I will eat a 2 lb. bag of jelly bellies in one sitting then curl up in fetal position for the rest of the night on the floor.

  I really like headbands. The more offensive, the better. Sometimes I like to bring out the good ol’ mini sequined top hat headband, which drops my friend count faster than Speedy Gonzalez.

  I frequently think about how cool it was when we got bathed in bowls when we were babies. Granted I picture a giant white porcelain bowl with perfect soapy bubbles, but I’m just sayin’…

  Every day I find myself dressing just a liiiittle bit more like a penguin.  I’ve realized there’s really no use in fighting it.

  • 7 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • chow-chow,
  • finance,
  • finops,
  • pei-pei,
  • quirky team
• Mon, Oct 25 2010

  Production Report #3: Space Bar

  By brian at 7:16 pm

  To make a long story short:

  Production has been greenlit!

  Projected ship date: December 1st

  
  

  

  
  

  And to make a short story long:

  We just received the T4 version of Space Bar earlier this week. Great stuff! This prototype was a fully functional test to reveal any issues still remaining with the product.

  There were a handful of tiny issues, but nothing major: some tweaking on the aluminum parts, finishing touches on the finish, polishing on the mold cavities, adjusting on the hex screws, etc. etc.

  Overall, we were very impressed with the T4 prototype, and we’re excited to move forward with this project. To ensure the items above get resolved, our incredible partners in Asia will be reviewing parts from a small production run to ensure quality and regularity of each unit early next week. We are moving forward with this pre-production run as an extra step of quality control and opportunity to have the factory calibrate and refine their production processes before our larger run.

  Some tasks to be completed before the final quantity run:

  - Developing QA (Quality Approval) sheet. This will be submitted to the factory to help them understand our expectations of craftsmanship during the production phase.

  - Completing packaging design.

  - Reviewing the small production run for remaining imperfections.

  After that, we’ll be ready to get the show on the road!
  • 11 Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • p22,
  • production report,
  • products,
  • space bar
• Mon, Oct 25 2010

  Brief #5: We’re Goin’, Goin’, Back, Back, To College

  By jess at 12:58 pm

  Across the country, 18-year-olds are leaving the comfort of their parents’ homes for the excitement of college campuses. And for Brief #5, Quirky’s coming with.

  This week’s challenge is simple: let’s come up with a rockin’ product for Back to College season.

  We sent intern Ruthea out into NYU to find out what the top troubles facing today’s college students are. See what they say in the following video:

  Now’s your chance to “school” Quirky in the art of improving dorm life. We’re keeping this brief open on purpose, so put your thinking caps on. Submissions are free, so send us your great idea today!

  • No Comments
  • Permalink

  • Tags:
  • college,
  • quirky brief