Archive for August, 2011

  • Tue, Aug 30 2011

    Frio is a system of storage solutions for your fridge that attach to the walls and ceiling to make the most of unused space. The three options include a round storage pod, a slim mesh pouch, and an innovative bottle holder. Build a system to suit your needs by getting as many of each as you want. This is one product that you’ll be stuck on!

    Nathan German submitted an idea for making extra room in a crowded fridge by using suction cups. Over 811 people came together to make that idea into a product. Frio is now available in the Quirky shop for $19.99 presale ($24.99 retail) with a threshold of 1200 commitments.

    A presale commitment would be for 1 set, with 1 of each option.

    Option 1: Round storage pod

    Features:
    -Stores half onions and other fruits/vegetables
    -Air tight lid keeps food fresh and fridge odor free
    -Textured interior lifts food to maintain freshness
    -Suction cups attach to walls or ceiling of fridge

    Dimensions:
    -3.5″ height x 4.25″ diameter

    Materials:
    -Food safe plastic dome and base

    Option 2: Expandable Mesh Pouch

    Features:
    -Stores small items like seasoning packets, string cheese, and herbs
    -Support frame ensures food is held securely
    -Pouch expands to hold items of different sizes
    -Suction cups attach to walls, ceiling and door of fridge

    Dimensions:
    -4.5″ height x 8″ width

    Materials:
    -Silicone pouch
    -Soft touch plastic frame

    Option 3: Bottle Holder

    Features:
    -Secures bottle to prevent falls and collisions when opening/closing door
    -Suction cup attaches to inside door of fridge

    Dimensions:
    -.65″ height x 3.5″ width

    Materials:
    -Curved stainless steel frame
    -Soft touch plastic back
    -Rubber grip ends

  • Mon, Aug 29 2011

    Prophecy has foretold that on Monday afternoon the top five voted submissions from the previous week’s Community Evaluation would reveal themselves in the form of a blog post. If not listed, submissions in these rounds may still be chosen as Wildcard selections.

    Congratulations to this week’s contenders:

    Product Round 173

    Maria Morill – Clip-On Timers
    J. Andre – Cheese Knife & Board
    Mario Duran – Pet Travel Bottle
    Jin Chai – Dual Cooking Spoon
    Nathan Zampelli – Bungee Cord Magnet

    Personal Care: Atmosphere Brief (Product Round 174)

    Colin Roberts – Outlet Grooming Tool Holder
    Cynthia Talbot – Makeup Roller Mat
    PattiD – LED Light Frame
    Pedro Rios- Retractable Bath Sponge
    Carol Lake – Candle Wick Tool


    These brave submissions have conquered the hearts and votes of the Quirky Community, but their arduous journey from sketch to store has only just begun. They must now now test their might against the brutal truth of DMV as well as unforeseen challenges from the enigmatic Wildcards.

    Who will emerge victorious? Only time (and a future blog post) will tell.

  • Mon, Aug 29 2011

    Hey Quirks, we’re discussing two topics in Wednesday’s live brainstorm.

    From 12:00 – (approx.) 12:45, the Quirky Community, will have the opportunity to participate in this week’s brainstorm through our Quirky Design Staff + Quirky Community Brainstorm Livestream channel on Ustream.

    This week’s topics are:

    1) Product 171: Oil dispensing grill tool

    2) Closet Storage Brief (Product 172): Hanging step stool

    To get the most community participation, 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 trends in biking or cleaning, materials etc. Start throwing out ideas and remember, this is a brainstorm so anything goes.

  • Mon, Aug 29 2011

    Housework. We all have to do it to some degree, no matter what. Whether you’re doing a light dusting or thorough spring cleaning, you’re probably lugging around a bunch of stuff. So how can we make those things easier to carry around and store?

    This week’s brief is all about making cleaning supplies easier to organize, carry around and store.

    You may not like this, but the first thing to do is clean. Yup, do it! Pay attention to what you have to lug around and the little shortcuts you’ve come up with to make things easier. Do you have to run back and forth between rooms to get your supplies? Do you have to climb up a ladder while juggling a few different bottles of cleaning solution? When you open a cabinet, do supplies fall out on top of you? Take note of what your main challenges are, and then think of what sort of solutions can help.

    Our usual parameters apply: physical consumer products that would retail for less than $150 and do not require integrated software. And as always, DMV research (design potential, marketability and viability) will tell us which ideas would be a smart business decision.

    You can submit one idea for free, and the deadline is Mon, Sept 5, at noon ET. If you have an idea that would really clean up, submit now!

  • Fri, Aug 26 2011

    Hey Quirks,

    In the midst of news about that feisty Hurricane Irene, we’re preparing for the worst. Best case scenario, nothing will change and we’ll be able to maintain normal service hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm. If we’re not able to come in to the office, the community team will be working remotely as best we can.

    If you’re in the path of Irene, I hope you stay safe. And to all, a good weekend!

  • Thu, Aug 25 2011

    For the past few days, the Quirky Design Staff has been alternating shifts in the window display of Bed Bath & Beyond on 6th Avenue here in New York. There they sketched solutions to everyday problems tweeted at us from people all over the world. Well it wasn’t just for fun, it was actually the beginning of a week long Quick’n'Quirky!

    In case you’re unfamiliar with the Quick’n'Quirky concept, what we do is take the Quirky process and condense it into an amazingly short amount of time.

    Yesterday, at the conclusion of the three-day sketchathon, we chose five ideas out of the hundreds that were sketched, ran a DVM analysis, and did a one-off mid-week evaluation. The result? Say hello to Product 177: Cooler with beach umbrella attachment.

    The problem was identified and tweeted by Quirky designer Sally Rumble. This being the case, the 50% of influence typically reserved for Ideation will be spread out across remaining phases, including Research, Design, Branding and Presales. That means that there’s a ton of influence up for grabs over the next few days.

    We’ve just launched the Research and and Concept phases for this product, which will last for 24 hours. If necessary we will have a Refine phase, but given the aggressive timeline we’re working on, we’re not planning on it. Tomorrow we will be kicking off the Naming and Tagline phases, and this Sunday night (possibly in the middle of a hurricane) we’re going to launch the product, live in the window of Bed Bath & Beyond.

    To recap:

    Today: Research and Concept

    Tomorrow: Naming and Tagline

    Sunday: Product Launch for presales.


    You better get moving!

  • Thu, Aug 25 2011

    Wash those worries away! Twist is a drying rack that helps you dry clothes the way you want. Clothes can be hung or laid flat on mesh platforms. When laundry day is over, the entire rack can fold closed for easy storage. This is one drying rack that truly stands and delivers.

    Jin Chai wanted a drying rack that could accommodate the different needs of his clothes. Over 672 people came together to turn that idea into a product. Twist is now available in the Quirky shop for $31.99 presale ($39.99 retail) with a threshold of 1000 commitments.

    Features:
    -2 mesh platforms for laying clothes flat
    -12 nylon clothesline segments (3 long cords which wrap around all 4 sides)
    -Scuff resistant caps protect flooring
    -Folds completely closed for storage
    -One-twist mechanism opens, closes and locks rack in place

    Materials:
    -4 metal poles
    -12 nylon clothesline cords
    -2 nylon mesh platforms
    -1 reinforced plastic locking mechanism

    Dimensions:
    -Open: 24″ square width at top, 19″ square width at bottom, 50″ height
    -Closed: 3″ diameter, 60″ height

    Patent pending.

  • Wed, Aug 24 2011

    Hey Quirks,

    We’ll be closing early tonight, at 8pm, so the whole team can attend the Quirky Premiere Party for our upcoming reality show on the Sundance Channel! Leave us a message if you call or shoot an email to questions@quirky.com. We’ll be back bright and early tomorrow morning at 8am to help with all requests.

    Rock on,
    Shirley

  • Tue, Aug 23 2011

    Look sharp while serving! Slice is a pizza cutter wheel with dual crust cutting blades for smooth slicing. The soft contoured design fits in the palm of your hand and leverages body weight for easy rolling. When dinner’s over, cleanup’s a snap.

    Robin Huberty wanted a pizza cutter that could cut through a slice easily in one go, crust and all. Over 697 people came together to make that idea a reality. Slice is now available in the Quirky shop for $8.99 presale ($10.99 retail) with a threshold of 1200 commitments.

    Features:
    -Sharp stainless steel pizza wheel
    -Dual crust blades on both sides of pizza wheel
    -Handheld design eases strain on hands and wrists
    -Soft handheld piece makes for easier gripping
    -Dishwasher safe and easy to clean

    Materials:
    -Stainless steel pizza wheel
    -Heavy duty, food safe plastic crust cutters
    -Food-safe ABS handheld housing and components

    Dimensions:
    -4″ h x 6″ w x 1.25″ d

  • Mon, Aug 22 2011

    Prophecy has foretold that on Monday afternoon the top five voted submissions from the previous week’s Community Evaluation would reveal themselves in the form of a blog post. If not listed, submissions in these rounds may still be chosen as Wildcard selections.

    Congratulations to this week’s contenders:

    Product Round 171

    Justin Porcano – Wallplates Item Hanger
    Marc Zech – 4-Sided Plug Splitter
    Michael Taylor – 3-in-1 Spatula/Tong/Strainer
    Andrea Zabinski – Portable Retracting Gadget Charger
    Kellie Hoskins – Universal Remote w/ USB Charger

    Closet Storage Brief (Product Round 172)

    Michael Schlect – Hanging Step Stool
    Mlegg – Slide Out Organizer
    YC Chan – Curved Closet Drawers
    Andrea Zabinski – Closet Organizer
    Phil Nassaux – Behind the Door Storage


    These brave submissions have conquered the hearts and votes of the Quirky Community, but their arduous journey from sketch to store has only just begun. They must now now test their might against the brutal truth of DMV as well as unforeseen challenges from the enigmatic Wildcards.

    Who will emerge victorious? Only time (and a future blog post) will tell.

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