product idea

[bhavz007]

I have a product idea which is currently just at concept point, it will be based in the retail food industry.

However before i get started the USP is how it actually works therefore I am looking to get hold of a product designer, who is able to work with me and design my product.

Overall the product is not complicated, just need the right brains to figure how its actually going to work.

So guys is there anyone on here who has an idea on were i can start?

Im based in Leicester, if anyone knows of any good designers which are able to help me out.

Im 17 years of age, so not looking really looking at the high prices

thanks in advance

 

[confusedbanker]

You might not like it, but i'm going to be practical here -You're going to need lots of cash to get this off the ground and at 17, regardless of how good an idea you have, the banks won't want to help.

Why don't you approach an equity investor, eg, business angels (basically, dragons den funding but without all the tv nonsense!) they can give you a steer and help finance you if you have a good idea - you'd need to let them take most of the money if you succeed but they will also be taking all the risks and opening doors for you. Remember, a small slice of a huge pie is better than no pie at all!

Before you do that, i'd see a business link advisor (its free up here in manchester, i guess you'll have a similar thing down there?) and download a confidentiality agreement from the web to get anyone you tell to sign.

Good luck!

 

[bhavz007]

Yeah, thanks for the honest advice.

I know what you mean as iv come up with a few business ideas, and have gone ahead to talk to bis link about it. The major thing is my age and the finance I need to get my ideas actually up and running, and its basically a brick wall for me.

But ill have a go again with bis link with this idea, see what they say about it.
However i think going in with designs and giving a real visual design will help them see my point of view, and come across as a better idea compared to me just talking from the top of my head about the concept.

Therefore a designer to help me draw the product would be ideal.

 

[confusedbanker]

Well, good luck whatever happens.

Maybe you could approach the local college or uni and befriend a design graduate? otherwise its going to get expensive! This way, at least you'd have something to take to an equity investor to show you are serious but beware, you may go to all the expense and trouble and then find out that your product has already been patented or, isn't practical.

Some ideas seem genius but unless you know the ins and outs of the manufacturing process etc, there could be lots of things you've not thought of that will spoil your plans - best to find out now and move on to your next idea if its no good!

 

[jasonnoguchi]

Seriously, your age is going to be a big problem. Most experienced people won't work with people your age.

 

[oldeagleeye]

There is a lot of trial 3D cad software out there for product design and it is quite easy to use. I doubt your get anyone else interested so try a bit of DIY.

 

[cinddy]

Sounds good things running in your mind. i will suggest you to make a detail plan about your retail idea and then work accordingly..

Well if you want to find some wholesale stuff then you may help to some wholesale directories stuff etc. Good Luck

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Now obviously I don't know what the product that you have in mind actually does, but before you proceed any further ask yourself this very important question. Does my product solve a problem? If the answer is no then let it go. If the answer is Yes then ask yourself, is this a problem that people will be prepared to pay to overcome and can it be overcome through different means?

A lot of people come up with genuinely brilliant ideas and innovative products but there are good examples of where the product is often great but not viable as a business. For instance, NASA spent alot of time and money developing a pen that could write in zero gravity, it worked beautifully and solved the problem but at great expense. The Russians on the other hand used a little initiative and brought pencils into space!

There isn't always a market for problem solving products!

 

[vvaannmmaann]

There is a guy near me who makes working models designs etc,he may help?
workingmodel.co.uk

 

[Innovationguy]

There is a great book detailing the necessary steps for bringing innovative products into the market place.
Don Debelak, Bringing Your Product To Market.

LicensedtoTrade, made an important point. But before you get discouraged, work with design students. They can draw and have access to a workshop for prototyping. You might be able to exchange some of your skills for their time.
You do need a prototype, even if it is out of plastic sprayed up looking like stainless steel. Try out the function and talk with retailers. Don't worry too much about somebody copying your idea. You will learn more from showing your idea and getting feedback. In order to get good feedback show your product together with competing products. If yours stands out great if not fine tune some more. Be flexible, come up with many ideas, only keep the best. Listen carefully to criticism.
Only after completing your research and product demonstrations are you ready to talk about finance. Let us know how it goes.

 

[rhadidian]

might be able to create 3d model from your
sketches.

 

[Liybpg]

Design is usually not the most important bit. Before you go on with designing the product (which may cost about 700 pounds at least), you need to think about the market, competition, suppliers and consumers, research all of it properly and then only spend money on design. Speak to business link and if they are good they will tell you to build a business plan. I know what I am talking about because I am 21 and I have done one business plan before and doing one now. This time, I have a product in my mind which needs designing. Before doing the design, I am doing a research - survey of 400 people, which will cost me about 300 pounds. It is necessary as if basically people don't like it, you need to question whether it is needed at all, plus nobody will give you money for the idea which hasn't been researched properly.