Author Archive

• Mon, Sep 19 2011

  This Week’s Brief: Back to School

  By shirley at 12:10 pm

  

  It’s that time of year again. Time to prep your kids for being in class all day long after a full summer off. While you’re shopping and getting them ready, let’s come up with a product that could make this easier on them.

  This week’s brief is all about back to school products for K-12.

  Most stores have backpacks, pencils and paper supplies. Do you have any new ideas for supplies? How about better ways of keeping everything organized, including supplies or lunch?

  You could even think out of the (pencil)box and come up with a product that nobody’s seen before. If it makes back to school better for kids and their parents, it might become a great product!

  Give your idea some tough love before submitting. DMV research (design potential, marketability and viability) guides us towards the smartest business decision. Critique your own idea with family and friends to make it stronger. Remember, you’re trying to convince thousands of strangers that your product should be made by Quirky!

  You can submit one idea for free into this round. The deadline is Mon, Sept 26, noon ET. Got a product that would school us? Submit now.

  • 1 Comment
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  • Tags:
  • back to school,
  • brief,
  • p189,
  • quirky brief
• Mon, Sep 12 2011

  This week’s brief: Recycling Solutions

  By shirley at 12:15 pm

  

  It’s time to put your thinking caps on to help the planet. Recycling is one way we can lessen our impact on the environment, but the extra work discourages many people. Let’s change that.

  This week is all about making an awesome recycling solution!

  The most familiar forms of recycling involve cleaning and sorting aluminum cans, plastic bottles and paper. Could a product help make that process faster and easier?

  Maybe Quirky’s next product could make other types of recycling, like light bulbs, batteries and plastic baggies, more accessible.

  If you really want to think outside the recycling bin, check out Real Simple’s A-Z guide to learn about all the things that can be diverted from those nasty landfills.

  Give your idea some tough love before submitting. DMV research (design potential, marketability and viability) guides us towards the smartest business decision. Critique your own idea with family and friends to make it stronger. Remember, you’re trying to convince thousands of strangers that your product should be made by Quirky!

  You can submit one idea for free into this round. The deadline is Mon, Sept 19, noon ET. Got a product that will change the world? Submit now.

  • 2 Comments
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  • Tags:
  • brief,
  • p185,
  • recycling
• Mon, Sep 5 2011

  This week’s brief: Pool and Beach Accessories

  By shirley at 12:15 pm

  

  With summer pool parties and beach visits fresh in your mind, it’s time to dream up a product that would make those experiences even better!

  This week’s brief is all about pool and beach accessories.

  This one’s wide open. You could come up with a solution that would make packing and transporting supplies a whole easier, or invent gear that everybody is going to want.

  For inspiration, here’s a list of what’s out there:
  -Coolers on wheels
  -Beach chairs with cupholders
  -Beach umbrellas
  -Pool float toys
  -Poolside showers

  Brainstorm ways to elevate those pool/beach visits! We’re looking for a product that solves a common problem or would appeal to a large number of people. 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 12, at noon ET. If you have an idea that would make a big splash, submit now!

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  • Tags:
  • brief,
  • p182,
  • pool and beach
• Fri, Sep 2 2011

  Closed for Labor Day (Mon, Sept 5)

  By shirley at 1:00 pm

  Quirky will be closed this coming Mon, Sept 5, for Labor Day.

  We’ll be back bright & early on Tues, Sept 6.

  Have a great holiday weekend, Quirks!

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• Fri, Sep 2 2011

  Briefs Ahoy!

  By shirley at 11:00 am

  Hey Quirks,

  Since the last post about upcoming briefs, I’ve learned that we shift dates around frequently! It’s because we take on many new, exciting projects with little warning. So this time, I’m posting the 6 briefs coming up without dates. That way, you’ll know what’s coming up without getting surprised if it doesn’t happen exactly on the date we originally planned.

  Hope this leads to some awesome brainstorming for all!

  Upcoming Briefs

  Pool and Beach Accessories

  Recycling Solutions

  Back to School (Grade School)

  Camping Accessories

  LED Lighting

  Luxury Items for Seniors

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  • Tags:
  • planning ahead,
  • quirky brief
• Thu, Sep 1 2011

  Introducing… Scute

  By shirley at 12:00 pm

  

  Scute is a cat litter scoop that allows you to sift litter and discard waste in one easy step. The scoop reaches into all corners of a litter box, and the handle on top makes for a smooth motion. Use with or without a bag so you can clean up without getting your hands dirty.

  Stephen Dillard proposed a litter scoop that did more of the cleanup work. Over 575 people came together to develop that idea into a product. Scute is now available in the Quirky shop for $7.99 presale ($9.99 retail) with a threshold of 1500 commitments.

  

  Features:
  -Disposes of waste without getting your hands dirty
  -Can be used with bag to immediately seal waste
  -Stability ledge keep bags in place during use
  -Handle placement on top allows smooth scooping motion
  -Beveled front edge slides through litter easily
  -Smart design enables scoop to reach into far corners of litter box

  Dimensions:
  -6.75″ h x 5.25″ w x 8″ d

  

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  • Tags:
  • cat litter scoop,
  • p152,
  • scute
• Tue, Aug 30 2011

  Introducing… Frio

  By shirley at 12:00 pm

  

  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

  • 4 Comments
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  • Tags:
  • fridge,
  • frio,
  • p150,
  • storage system
• Mon, Aug 29 2011

  This Week’s Brief: Housework Organization & Storage

  By shirley at 12:10 pm

  

  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!

  • 1 Comment
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  • Tags:
  • housework,
  • organization,
  • p179,
  • quirky brief,
  • storage
• Fri, Aug 26 2011

  In Case of Emergency

  By shirley at 4:45 pm

  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!

  • 4 Comments
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  • Tags:
  • customer service,
  • emergency plan,
  • hours,
  • service
• Thu, Aug 25 2011

  Introducing… Twist

  By shirley at 12:00 pm

  

  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.

  

  • 1 Comment
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  • Tags:
  • collapsible drying rack,
  • p138,
  • twist