Rob G. « a quirky blog

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Tue, Feb 21 2012

This battle-station is fully operational: First HD brainstorm tomorrow!
By Rob G. at 12:30 pm

Brainstorms are back! Now that our state of the art camera system is in place, we can continue this tradition in high definition! For those new to the process, here’s how it goes: every Wednesday at noon ET, QDS blows a few product ideas wide open to kick off the design process. You can take part in that. Here’s how:

1. Topics will be posted on Mon before the Wed brainstorm sesh. In your wildest dreams, what would be the perfect way to make that product? What should it do, and what problems should it prevent? It’s a brainstorm, so anything goes.

2. Visit the Quirky Brainstorm Channel at noon ET on Wed. Log in on Ustream and throw ideas at us in the live chat.

3. Can’t join the live brainstorm? Be sure to add your comments here before Wed at noon, and we’ll have them in mind.

Got all that? Great. This week’s topic is:

-Collapsible Cookware
- Tags:
- collapsible cookware,
- p237
Tue, Feb 14 2012

Bundle Your Buds: Introducing…Wired
By Rob G. at 12:00 pm

Fed up with wrangling your tangled headphones? These buds are for you! Meet Wired, the quick folding earbuds. Thicker sections in the wires allow you to neatly bundle and store your headphones in a flash. Reinforced contact points will ensure that your wires don’t fray or break after extended use. And the three button in-line remote/mic gives you full control over your personal soundtrack. Whether you’re rocking Mozart or Megadeth, it’s all easy listening with Wired.

When inventor Jim Risser submitted his simple idea for tidier earbuds, we saw great potential and the Quirky Design staff went to work. Over 902 influencers lent a hand and when the dust settled, Wired was born. Take a deeper look at these beauties in the Upcoming section now.

Features:
-Wires with variant thickness provide a natural folding point for neat storage
-In-line remote offers microphone, volume control, and play/pause functions (for use with supported devices)
-Standard 3.5mm headphone jack with right angle plug reduces unnecessary stress on inputs
-Attached elastic band secures bundled wires
-Reinforced contact points near input and speakers reduce wear and tear

Materials:
-Rigid and elastomeric plastics

Measurements:
-49″ long

Price, qty and features subject to change during production process.
- Tags:
- p229,
- quick folding earbuds,
- wired
Thu, Feb 2 2012

Customize Your Clean: Introducing…Cargo!
By Rob G. at 12:00 pm

Cargo is a simple way to organize and transport all your shower products. This caddy comes with five flat bungee cords that separate your items and keep large bottles from spilling out. The perforated structure allows you to attach cords in almost any configuration – even on the outside. Couples can co-op Cargo and easily split the shampoo into His and Hers sections. Dorm occupants needn’t shlep their shower shoes; just hook a cord around them and they’re along for the ride. The increased airflow dries Cargo quickly and keeps your items clean. Keep calm and caddy on!

When one of our retail partners asked us to make a sexier shower caddy, we rose to the occasion. With the help of Laura Doty‘s winning concept, and a handful of passionate influencers, Cargo has arrived to simplify shower time. Head to the Upcoming section and take a peek.

Features:
-Deep basket and tall handle can accommodate large items
-Organize any way you like with the five included bungee cords
-Perforated design provides constant airflow

Materials:
-Polypropylene plastic

Dimensions:
-217mm w x 150mm d x 114mm h

Price, qty and features subject to change during production process.
- Tags:
- cargo,
- customizable shower caddy,
- p217
Mon, Jan 30 2012

Brainstorm aftermath: Bendable Speakers, Collapsible Cookware, and Sand Orthotic
By Rob G. at 4:30 pm

You may have noticed that live-streamed Brainstorms have been MIA for the past few weeks. Our state-of-the-art Brainstorm Room is still being assembled, but it won’t be long before we welcome the community back into the eye of the storm! Until then, here are the results of the most recent brainstorms (click images to enlarge):

Product 236: Bendable Speakers

Product 237: Collapsible Cookware

Product 241: Sand Orthotic
- Tags:
- bendable speakers,
- collapsible cookware,
- p236,
- p237,
- p241,
- sand orthotic
Tue, Jan 24 2012

No brainstorm tomorrow due to technical difficulties
By Rob G. at 4:00 pm

Sorry folks. Our badass brainstorm battle-station is not yet fully operational. Tomorrow’s brainstorm is cancelled.

We’ll work on getting brainstorms back on track as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.
- Tags:
- brainstorm,
- cancelled
Tue, Jan 24 2012

Build Outside the Box: Introducing…Linkets
By Rob G. at 12:00 pm

Cardboard boxes aren’t just trash. To children they’re clubhouses, fortresses, and hiding places. Reclaim these boxes and foster your youngins’ creativity with Linkets. These colorful connectors allow kids ages 6 and up to attach cardboard pieces in imaginative ways. Since Linkets rotate from 0 to 90 degrees, the possibilities are endless.

When his son Matt built a cardboard spaceship in the living room, Michael Muscarella realized that kids love to build. He imagined a solution that would pique Matt’s creativity and eliminate the need for hot glue, staples, or other wasteful materials. With the help of the Quirky Design Staff and over 445 influencers, Michael and Matt’s idea became Linkets. You can check out the finished product in the Upcoming section now!

Features:
-Two-part hinged connectors rotate 0-90 degrees – build nearly anything!
-Connectors accommodate cardboard up to 5mm thick

Materials:
-Polypropylene plastic

Dimensions:
-2″ H x 3.8″ W x 0.65″ D

Price, qty and features subject to change during production process.
- Tags:
- cardboard connectors,
- Linkets,
- p222
Mon, Jan 23 2012

There’s a Brainstorm Brewin’!
By Rob G. at 11:00 am

Every Wed at noon ET, QDS blows a few product ideas wide open to kick off the design process. You can take part in that. Here’s how:

1. Topics will be posted on Mon before the Wed brainstorm sesh. In your wildest dreams, what would be the perfect way to make that product? What should it do, and what problems should it prevent? It’s a brainstorm, so anything goes.

2. Visit the Quirky Brainstorm Channel at noon ET on Wed. Log in on Ustream and throw ideas at us in the live chat.

3. Can’t join the live brainstorm? Be sure to add your comments here before Wed at noon, and we’ll have them in mind.

Got all that? Great. This week’s topics are:

-Bendable Speakers

-Shoe Insert
- Tags:
- bendable speakers,
- brainstorm,
- p236,
- p241,
- shoe insert
Mon, Jan 16 2012

Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
By Rob G. at 8:00 am

Our office is closed today. For all customer service inquiries, please email questions@quirky.com. We’ll be back to our regular schedule tomorrow. Enjoy the holiday.
- Tags:
- closed,
- mlk day
Fri, Jan 13 2012

Dinosaurs Extinct. Phone’s Back Up.
By Rob G. at 11:46 am

Our phone system has been restored. Thanks for your patience.
Fri, Jan 13 2012

Temporary Phone Outage
By Rob G. at 11:14 am

Nah ah ah…you didn’t say the magic word! The dinosaurs have escaped and have once again wreaked havoc on our phone system. We’ll be back shortly.
- Tags:
- phones are down,
- technical difficulties