We had a brainstorm at the GE Garages at Maker Faire this morning. Below are the results from the session, featuring the collaborative work of our team and Maker Faire attendees. (click either image for a larger version). Work off of these ideas help submit to the community design phase.
Our new friend Sanjay Gupta recently swung by Quirky to talk invention. Tune in to ‘The Next List‘ on CNN today at 2p EDT.
Our partnership with GE continues in Houston. If you’re in the area, swing by the GE Garages at Rice University. This is your chance to roll up your sleeves and learn how to prototype (with 3D printers, injection molders, laser cutters and welding) and participate in workshops and training sessions.
Where: Rice University, 2100 Rice Blvd. at Wilton St – West Lot 3
When: Through 5/3 (2p – 8p daily)
More info: ge.com/garages
We’re reinventing storage and we’re doing it in the US! This is a huge and really exciting undertaking for Quirky and the community, so we’ve built a dedicated page for all things Crates. Here, you’ll be able to:
- Rank your favorite accessories for influence (a new type of project).
- Participate in the different Crates projects (currently Naming, Accessories Concept and Pricing Game are live).
- Follow the story as we share frequent video updates on bringing crates to life.
Congratulations to Inventor Jenny Drinkard, from Atlanta, GA. Last year, she submitted a brilliant idea. This marks the first product that we’ve pulled from the archives. See how Crates was born.
You’ve got a deep understanding of business operations, but you truly are one of those mushy people.
You simply want everyone to be happy and successful.
You’ve spent the past few years managing a rapidly growing online community that works tirelessly to throw virtual sheep at each other, or something equally as important to the future of the universe.
But, for one reason or another you’ve quietly been looking around for opportunities to take the helm of a community that is actually doing things. Making things. Changing things.
We’re looking for someone to be the Head of our Community: A quickly growing community of more than 170,000 people that has literally changed the face of invention.
This is a huge job.
You will do the following:
If you’re right for the job:
You’re as persuasive as you are persuaded: Confident an approach is the right one? Persuading the masses it’s the right direction isn’t going to be tough. Not quite sure? You’re open and expectant of feedback.
You believe in people: Plain and simple, you expect the most out of your fellow human beings- and you build systems & plans that help people maximize their potential.
You know how to say no: A big part of our day to day interaction with our community involves saying no, gracefully. Unfortunately, we can’t make everyone’s product real. We want to make sure those who hear a “no” from us understand why, and walk away at the very least, educated.
You’ll take the bullet: You’re that unique type of person that will put themselves in the line of fire. You’re the champion of change within the company. You’re willing to have a decision temporarily hated, with the hope that it will be enduringly revered.
What’s right for them is right for you: You don’t have an agenda. You’re the most selfless human being on the planet. All you want, is to Make Invention Accessible to people around the world. So long as a given action does that- you’re all ears.
You’re proactively proactive: You’re countless steps ahead of everyone around you. You pick out your outfit for Thursday on Monday.
You’re super strategic: While constant suggestions and feedback from our vocal community is inevitable, you’re deeply involved in making sure implementation of changes does not effect the long term strategy of the company. Of course, you’re also intimately involved in making sure that the long term strategy of the company is set with the best interests of the community in mind.
You measure: You come up with unique ways of measuring progress within the community and company. Your measurements (regardless of how scientific) directly inform your actions.
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
To Apply:
Spend some good time on our site understanding what we do and understanding our community. If you are still interested, submit your resume along with a personalized cover letter to Ben Kaufman, telling him why you want this job and why we should pick you. Submit here.
It’s time for you to help us test the actual products that you’ve helped bring to life.
We’re excited to announce an important new role for the community in the product development process: Product testing. Moving forward, all products will go through this testing phase. But we can’t do it without your help. This is your opportunity to get your hands on pre-production product samples to give us valuable feedback before they hit the market.
Sign up for the Quirky Product Testing Program as we strive to produce the best products in the world. Here’s how it works:
• Visit: http://www.quirky.com/product_testers/faq
• You will be asked to fill out a demographic survey before you’re officially in.
• For each product we test, we’ll select a combination of random users and specific demographics based on the product’s market (total number of testers will vary by product).
• If selected, you’ll receive an email to confirm your interest, then we’ll send you the product and instructions on how to test it.
• You’ll have a deadline to test the product and provide feedback.
• For participating, you’ll be able to either keep the product you were sent or you’ll receive a Quirky.com credit to buy a final production version.
Questions? Call us at 1-866-5QUIRKY or email us at questions@quirky.com.
This year, major retailers are opening their doors at midnight for Black Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country will be lining up early to score a discount on their holiday shopping. We think this is the perfect opportunity to introduce them to Quirky.
We’re looking for 50 community members to go out on Thanksgiving night and early Friday morning to encourage people to submit their great product ideas.
We’ll arm you with 500 Quirky postcards, which have a free idea submission code unique to you. For joining this team, you’ll get $100 credit in your Quirky account. To up the ante, the community member whose code has the most idea submissions by Monday night will win a $500 Quirky gift card.
We’re putting this together quickly and we understand that not everyone can be involved, but it’s a test for bigger plans for you. Moving forward, our goal is to give anyone who wants to be involved great resources and opportunities. If you’re interested in giving Black Friday shoppers something to actually be excited about, please email blackfriday@quirky.com by 6pm ET today, and make sure to include your phone number so one of our Invention Ambassadors can reach out to you.
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