Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS WRITER
My first blog for the crowd-funding campaign talked about the kind of questions I get asked, as a sex toy designer.
Thinking through those questions and also getting feedback on the Blog, from people who know about these things, I can see that some people are interested in the “how to” of what we do at Downunder.
The first thing is to have an idea about what might feel good, and be able to visualise how that feeling good thing looks. Our latest innovation, AVA, is shown above, and she has been designed with a lot of consideration for what feels good, what is comfortable for customers with weak hands or wrists, and what is good for the environment.
The second thing to do is either draw, or describe the idea, in as much detail as you can.
The third thing is if you can sculpt, or otherwise create a 3D model of your idea, from which a prototype could be made, have a go and try it. The more you can do to make your product idea a working model, the less it will cost you to get to market.
Steps that follow these first, important development steps is, ask yourself, “could my great idea work?” that is, in practise, and importantly, would people pay money for it?
To find out, go online and search for something that could be your product. Look for any vendor selling anything that either does what your great idea does, or is your great idea. If it’s already out there, buy a sample and see if it does what you think your idea should do. If it doesn’t and your idea is the best or only version, then you can go to the next phase.
This serious phase of your project involves either making a prototype or finding a vendor who can make one for you.
As luck would have it we, at downunder toys, can make a prototype for you. With 25 years of experience in making sex toys by hand and sourcing simple, reliable and good value electrical components, we have access to all the essentials that you might need.
An alternative is that you go and find a skilled person to help you make a sample of your idea. It’s important to work with someone you can trust, if you think your idea is highly commercial.
In any case, get whoever you work with, to sign a non-disclosure agreement BEFORE you describe your idea.
An NDA takes the pressure off everyone involved as you are all protected, because it puts a frame around who-owns-what.
Once you have a prototype, have it tested by someone other than your friends or family.
In order to make sure you’re not wasting resources, you need to prove your concept.
Once that is done, you might have to modify some elements or it might be so good, you want to go straight to production.
In order to protect your great idea in the market, you could take steps to protect it from being copied, with a registered Trademark and/or Patent
Be aware that many of the steps described above, can be very costly. So, in addition to bringing your great idea into the world, you have to find the resources to make it happen.
If you are having the nice people at Downunder Toys’ develop your product, ask us about each step, the likely costs and the potential Return On Investment, because we have been there. Many times.
For anyone who reads this and thinks they have a great idea, think carefully through the steps described here. If you think your idea has potential, find us and let’s talk, we may be able to help. We have 25 years of experience, of turning ideas into commercial reality.