Tue, May 8 2012
Watch how Quirky’s designers and engineers face the challenge of turning the ubiquitous milk crate into an innovative system with equal consideration for the object’s function as well as its aesthetics.
Watch how Quirky’s designers and engineers face the challenge of turning the ubiquitous milk crate into an innovative system with equal consideration for the object’s function as well as its aesthetics.
It’s time to dive into some design research for the plug pull and we’d like to tap in to the power of our community. We’re looking for local (New York area) community members who suffer from hand/wrist disabilities causing them to have difficulties pushing and pulling plugs in and out of outlets. If this is you or somebody you know, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re busy working on a variety of concepts and we need some user feedback to ensure we’re creating the best product possible. If you suffer from hand arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle weakness or any other hand disability, we want you. Just think, if the plug pull can make life easier for you, then by extension, it can make life easier for everybody.
It would be ideal if you can visit us in our office, but we may be able to come to you if necessary.
Please contact: plugpull@quirky.com
We hope to hear from you.
Recently, we put the stamp on HydraDuo that said “We’re Making It!”. Over a year has gone by since the product was designed and we have decided to revisit it. The new design reduces the amount of plastic, increases functionality, and makes it more aesthetically pleasing. The HydraDuo now includes two refillable plastic chambers held together with a thermoplastic rubber waist band and two removable leak proof mouth pieces. Water and Gatorade? Apple juice and orange juice? Rum and Coke? Carry one and drink two with HydraDuo.
Check out the new CMF phase and help us determine the best possible colors, materials, and finishes for the HydraDuo.
We have now opened the redesign phase for Trek Support. As referenced in this blog post, we are redesigning the Trek Support due to demand from a key retailer for its main features. For reference, the problem and design brief are below. Let’s see what you guys come up with!
Problem:
Ever been on vacation, a business trip, or any type of travel and experienced the frustration of organizing multiple adapters and tangled cables for your devices? Many of us are traveling with a variety of devices these days, and it can really be a pain to keep mobile devices charged and organized. Often times you arrive at your hotel room or destination and have to find multiple outlets just to conveniently charge all your things. Charging ports are becoming more common on flights, but juggling devices in tight spaces can be a flight of fancy. When an outlet is not at hand, you’re not doing any charging.
Phase Design Brief:
Let’s work together to come up with a portable charging station that:
• Makes it easy to organize and transport your cables and portable devices in one handy product
• Works with a variety of USB-compatible mobile devices (phones, cameras, tablets that charge via USB)
• Fits iPads, iPhones, iPods (all iOS devices), and other devices such as Blackberry, point-and-shoot digicams, other tablets
• Has an integrated rechargeable battery for charging when not near an outlet
• Is convenient to transport: easy to slip into a bag or luggage; easy to hand-carry or carry on body
• Has an ‘upscale’ aesthetic and suitable materials to protect devices and stand up to the rigors of modern travel
• Is TSA-compliant
Now that we’ve closed the concept phase for the auto-stirring microwave bowl we would like to update you on our prototyping progress. Thanks for all the ideas that were submitted! After testing several concepts utilizing the spinning of the turntable as well as the heat generated by the microwave, we feel that we are gradually narrowing in on a direction to move forward with. In addition to the challenges identified in our last update (material limitations, food density, turntable strength) we have begun to focus our attention on product simplicity, manufacturing, price, ease of use, and cleaning, with a better understanding of functional limitations.
The first concept was an attempt to use the motion of the turntable to create a continuous wobbling effect when a bowl is placed on a plastic plate supported only by a single point in the center. The idea was that the contents of the bowl would be agitated gradually when placed on the wobble plate. While this concept consists of only a single part that can be used with a variety of bowls, it proved to be not very effective.
The possibility for harnessing the heat of the microwave seemed promising, so a device was prototyped that would float inside the bowl and use steam propulsion to drive mixing paddles. This prototype consists of a sealed floatation chamber and a separate volume where water can be stored with several ports for emitting steam. The thought was that the water would boil inside the microwave creating a teapot effect at each of the ports, spinning the mixing paddles. After testing, it took too long for the contained water to heat up and generated very little force.
The thought of just inserting a spoon or spatula into the bowl during turntable rotation was worth a try. A model was made with an articulating arm fixed to the interior of the microwave with a suction cup. The articulating arm is adjustable to accommodate a variety of bowl shapes. The end could potentially be detachable and interchangeable. This simple idea did not provide enough of a mixing effect.
Using bits of the previous prototype, we then created an array of paddles attached to the lid of a bowl that would turn when impacting a point held fixed with a suction cup. The wings at the top of each paddle could impact anywhere along their length allowing for some flexibility with suction cup placement. The results were promising so we decided to pursue this further and create a version with gear driven paddles that would spin more continuously.
The following video describes this concept in more detail:
After a conversation with the inventor Michelle B. last Friday, it was agreed to move forward with the geared paddle concept. In addition to mechanism refinement, we will be considering possibilities for optional paddle shapes that may be interchangeable for use with different types of food. Our goal for the short term will be to focus on a simple mechanical solution with a minimum number of parts made from microwave safe materials. In the long term we will continue to research other more advanced and technically challenging ways of stirring inside a microwave oven.
If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments of this blog post.
The Concept Phase for Ryan Campagna’s adjustable baking tray has launched and we are pumped to see what types of concepts get submitted. This product is all about user experience and workflow, so don’t hesitate to get into the kitchen and allow your observations to dictate your concept directions. We are going to open this concept round up to the community before the QDS team dives in too deeply. We know we have some experienced bakers in our community and we want to see how you would approach this product. Additionally, we are also excited to see how areas of interest outside of the kitchen, such as camping and origami, may inspire the adjustable feature.
Daniel Foster’s original submission called for ‘bumpers’ on a changing pad to stop a baby from wriggling. From our quick research with a newborn and two year old twins, nothing short of a straight jacket will stop a child from wriggling and newborns to 6 mos don’t move. A lot of parents in the community have already responded to the submission as being flawed as you should never rely on a product to keep your baby in place (AND we would NEVER want to communicate that it’s a safety measure for obvious reasons).
Please visit the Refine phase for this product to give feedback on the features (which are all listed). We definitely need to hear from the parents on this one!
We are currently seeking skilled product design interns to assist our design team in developing consumer products. A Quirky Design Intern will have opportunities to pitch in during all phases of the design process, and will have the chance to be an integral part in a young and growing company with a unique business model.
This internship will last approximately 3 months this fall. The exact start and end date can fluctuate based on the candidate’s schedule.
One IMPORTANT thing to note: if you can’t live around NYC area, it’s a dealbreaker… sorry.
Each one of our interns needs to commit to five days of work per week in our office located in Manhattan’s NoHo. We will offer an hourly wage and we can offer college credit (upon discussion with your specific institution).
To apply send a pdf work sample and resume to designintern@quirky.com.
- At least 2 years of experience in an Industrial Design academic program
– An enthusiastic and agile work style
– Strong ability to communicate through sketching
– Ability to generate ideas rapidly through sketching and brainstorming
– Advanced skill level with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
– Ability to work independently as well as under tight creative direction
– Willingness to learn
– Familiarity with SolidWorks, Hypershot or Keyshot are a plus
– Above all else, a passion for design.
While Product 157 started as a “Soap Dispensing Pet Brush”, after doing some research and testing we’ve decided to go a different direction. We’re getting rid of the soap dispensing feature in favor of creating a product that focuses on the entire workflow of washing your pet.
As we explored a number of different directions submitted in the concept round, we were inspired by Jason Hennessy’s idea of having an ambidextrous, one size fits all hand mitt with soft and hard bristles. We found that having both allows for a more thorough cleaning. Through our research and testing, we also found that the workflow that Dave Fulton described in his submission was the more natural and easier way to wash a dog.
The design we’re proceeding with is composed of two units, a pre-wash dry brush for removing dead hair and stimulating skin, and a silicone hand mitt for the bathing.
Here are a few more reasons for the change:
• The soap dispensing feature adds an unnecessary step in the washing work flow.
• Soap volume will not be enough for a wide range of dog sizes
• Professional groomers usually use their hands when bathing a dog (support for the silicone hand mitt) for a more intimate/calming experience for the dog.
• Groomers recommend to pre-brush your pet before washing to remove any dead hair and to stimulate blood flow.
• The two units in the chosen design fit together for practical storage.
Here’s the design we’re working with:
Feel free to participate in the (just launched) CMF phase for this product, right here!
Hey Quirky Community, here’s a chance for you to earn more influence on the Iron Station
We would like to know your thoughts on adding an adjustable height feature to the design
The survey will be up until Tuesday at 9:00pm ET.
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