Last week was the first time we ever attempted to include the community in QDS’ weekly brainstorm, and it was a learning experience for all. This week we’ve made some changes.
From 12:00 – (approx.) 12:45, the Quirky Community, will have the opportunity to participate in this week’s brainstorm through our kind of new Quirky Design Staff + Quirky Community Brainstorm Livestream channel on Ustream.
Instead of jumping right in to the brainstorm, one of the QDS participants will give a brief overview of how the brainstorm works and the topics they’re going to be covering.
We got a lot of community suggestions to use a digital whiteboard to capture and digitize information as it’s written, but that’s not a possibility at this point. Instead, we’re going to set up some more lights and move the camera closer to the page so it’s easier to see (and hear) what’s being written (and spoken). Behind the scenes we’re also playing around with a Flash codec thing that Ustream claims will increase the quality of the broadcast.
We’re also doing away with the moderator. Some Quirky staff members will be monitoring the stream, but the chat comments are going to be displayed on a screen for the QDS participants to read off of as they pop up. QDS tried this with the bonus brainstorm that took place last Thursday and felt that it helped eliminate the lag between a comment being made, received and announced and kept the flow moving along nicely.
While we’re on the topic of the chat, it has come to my attention that there are two ways to submit comments, via the chat, and the Social Stream. We can only display one of those at a time, so if you want to participate, make sure that you are sending your comments through the Ustream channel chat, not through the Social Stream.
So that’s what’s changed for this week. As previously mentioned, this is something that is going to evolve from week to week, so if you have any suggestions, add them to the brainstorm thread on our support forum.
Now, without further adieu, this week’s brainstorm topics are:
1) The suction brief winner: Suction Cup Fridge Shelves/Containers
2) The retractable whisk
To try and maximize the amount of community participation in the conversation, we’re going to start it right here, in the comments of this blog post. Think about all of the different aspects that go into mindmapping, i.e. exploring all opportunities in terms of design, market, end user, user scenarios, modes/habits, current/future cleaning trends, materials etc. Start throwing out ideas and remember, this is a brainstorm so anything goes.
15 Comments
d | 07/05/2011 8:22 PM
Well since I doubt I can make it due to work….
How about have some or all of the whisk wires/tines zig zagged for more interaction with what ur whipping? Have it so it can stand up so you don’t get the counter dirty when laying it down. A cap/cover when putting away?
How about the suction thingys for in the freezer too? How about specialty fridge suctioned holders specially made for items like eggs, juice boxes, etc, things with a common shape. With pull drawers? Swivel action?
OK I’m done.:)
Brandon Craven | 07/05/2011 8:24 PM
Good information. Yay community!
d | 07/05/2011 8:25 PM
Shake those pom poms Brandon.
Clinton | 07/05/2011 8:36 PM
Whisk ideas:
#1 – Cleaning is a big concern, I think it will need ability to be cleaned both when open and when retracted.
#2 – In the whisk world, bigger is better. Since this can retract for storage, make it 18 to 24 inches long…or more!, when open and in use.
Clinton | 07/05/2011 8:45 PM
Suction cup refrigerator set ideas:
I’d buy this if it were a set: Three 18 inch long containers (deep. medium, shallow), six swiveling suction cups (swivel = attach to side wall, or drop from bottom of shelf), some 6 inch super thin drop bars (super thin = fits between shelf and wall. Attach a container 6 inches below either a suction cup or another container), some optional wire shelf hooks, and make both top and bottom of containers able to attach to drop bars, etc.
J.Andre. | 07/05/2011 9:32 PM
2) The retractable whisk:
it might be a good thing to check out Drummers (like as in musician/a drum set) and the retractable brushes they use:
J.Andre. | 07/05/2011 9:33 PM
that sucks… we can’t post images with html here.
here was the image i tried to post above:
http://www.newarkmusical.com/images/Sku-011331.jpg
Megan | 07/05/2011 9:39 PM
Suction cup fridge shelves:
“Swiveling” suction cups could be an issue when trying to install a shelf (eg the rear cup may get knocked out of allignment as you try to insert the shelf) but having the suction cups able to work in multiple directions is a must. Instead of swiveling they could have multiple possible attachment points on each shelf depending on which angle you want to use, but be rigid at each point.
To make sure the shelves fit universally in every sized fridge, they should be extendable – should be pretty simple; shelf in two parts which slide over each other, so they can be full overlapped in small fridges or fully extended in large fridges (this can also help reduce shipping size)
michelleb | 07/05/2011 11:24 PM
First find out Who and Why people want it, and what functions the target market need it to have – then find out how much they are willing to pay for it – then and only then think about designing it.
uniqueideas | 07/05/2011 11:50 PM
Fridge suction cups~
For me it would be helpful just to have the container be half open on some. That way I could stick random small things in there like – yogurt, applesauce, pudding. They take up space but sticking on side would free it up for larger items. Make clear so we can see what is in them. Also, a mesh web for some items that the suction cups hold could be included.
Daniel | 07/06/2011 5:15 AM
Retractable whisk-Handle separates and flips over rather than whisk totally retracting. I think if it retracts 1/4 of the way and the handle flips over and latches somehow (I’m picturing a stroller), then you might get the best of both worlds: a traditionally functional whisk that also compacts for storage. I’m afraid a whisk wouldn’t maintain it’s shape if retracted.
Daniel | 07/06/2011 5:31 AM
Suction – Regarding Michelle’s point: who/why would want this? I’m one who has too many little things getting in the way. So, I would want relatively small trays for items like: yogurt, cheeses, pudding, kids sized (unfinished) drinks; in the freezer: diminishing sized frozen vegetables, popsicles, etc. Those are the kinds of items that create clutter. The other annoying space-takers are milk/juice cartons. So, maybe an 16-24oz squared container to transfer those drinks to, as part of a kit (as Clinton suggests). I don’t think large containers are necessary. Because, they may get too heavy and flimsy. Plus, most fridges account for larger items.
d | 07/06/2011 6:34 AM
Yes just keep it simple for some suction org shelves for the ceiling and the sides of the fridge.
Carla Holt | 07/20/2011 8:18 PM
Suction container for baking soda. I voted for this one myself. I think it should be marketed using a lady holding a gaming device (baking soda container) directed at an open fridge. The fridge would be filled with onion and cheese odor images, she would use a jello and watermelon images running for their lives.She zaps them with the baking soda container them whips it back in place. All are saved. Read this then think about the pac man game. It is only a thought.
or
You could also have a bunch of cartoonish refrigerators in a meadow with a cartoonish watermelon, jello, onion and cheese images coming together in harmony using flags with baking soda written on them, stating the war is over. These are things just swarming in my head. Just a thought. Ha Ha.