PENCIL AND PAPER

Sketching, detailing, or just taking notes…nothing beats a pencil and paper when you’re first starting out. Any kind of creator, not just inventors, can testify to the usefulness of a blank notebook. Some may even argue that it’s one of the fundamentals of creativity. We do recommend using a pencil rather than a pen, as the eraser allows one to change or remove elements on the fly. However, if you prefer using a pen, do so! Just make sure the paper is thick enough so the ink won’t bleed to the other side, especially if you’re using both front and back.

US PATENT OFFICE WEBSITE

Sometimes you think you have a winning idea only to find out somebody else has come up with it. Thankfully, the US Patent & Trademark Office documents on its website all inventions. When in doubt, you can search to see if your invention idea has already been the subject of a patent registered. Alternatively, you could use it as a cross-reference for your own creation to see what features or elements may benefit it and help it stand out from competitors. Visiting the office works just as well if you have the opportunity and time to do so.

BACKGROUND ON THE IDEA

What inspired you to make this invention? What purpose does it serve? How will it make life easier? These questions and more will be asked by investors. What many do not realize is that having a stellar invention is only half the battle. Being passionate and willing to work on improving and perfecting it can make the difference for potential investors. Enthusiasm is contagious and has a solid background for your device helps build said enthusiasm. In times of discouragement, it will also serve as a good reminder of why you started the project in the first place. As the only non-tangible fundamental on this list, you might want to consider writing down the background information to have on hand, just in case.

PROTOTYPES (BOTH HANDMADE AND PRODUCED)

Whether you made your prototype yourself or had help from another source, bringing it along will give investors a better idea of what your invention is capable of. If you’re still brainstorming, it might be worth making a very simplistic prototype or model just to have another perspective. Seeing it in person is a far cry from seeing it on a piece of paper, after all. Don’t be ashamed if you’re prototype isn’t perfect, either. After all, it’s only a first draft. Nobody expects perfection on the first try! (For more information on this fundamental, please see our other articles about prototyping.)

GRAPH PAPER

This is probably the most forgotten element of a successful brainstorming session. While blank printer paper or lined notebook paper works well, the clear-cut lines of graph paper have their own advantages. The grid layout makes it ideal for working on an almost pixel-by-pixel basis and allow for pinpoint precision. It also helps with estimating dimensions of a finished product. While this fundamental is left out, it is for a good reason: this is easily the most subjective material on this list. Rounder objects and digital inventions are less likely to benefit from graph paper.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the tools you will need in order to move forward with a product idea, let’s get to work! Your first assignment is completing our inventor quiz!  Get to know who you are as an inventor, as well as, what will keep you motivated during the product development phase.

By the way, stay tuned for Part Two of Fundamentals: Prototyping!

The post Inventing Fundamentals, Part 1: The Building Blocks appeared first on Davison.

If you or anyone you know has ever been in this situation, don’t fret. While sketching is an important part of both the brainstorming and prototyping phases, it’s not strictly necessary. There are also workarounds to get something like a sketch finished, without the need for artistic talent.

HIRE AN ARTIST

The most obvious solution is also the most difficult. Art takes time, and as the saying goes, time is money. Unless you have a very close friend or family member willing to be your sketch artist, you’re going to be shelling out for a commission. Even then, what you envision in your head might be difficult to communicate with others. Only attempt this step if the invention is simple design-wise and only if you have the funds.

ATTEND ART CLASSES

If you have the time, a few art courses might help you improve. This is still a desperate option and should only be tried if you have deep pockets. However, most art classes teach a great number of skills beyond being able to sketch, which could prove useful as an inventor. If you’re a student, see if it’s offered as an elective. Also, many community centers offer art classes.

USE CLIPART

Clipart and premade assets might not convey professionalism, but they’ll do in a pinch. Combined with the above methods, it may be possible to create something far closer to your interior visualization. Don’t be afraid to be creative, especially with any recolor or cropping tools. Need a wheel? Crop one off a car. Use a jump rope as a cord. You’re an inventor and therefore naturally creative. The options are endless.

USE A GRAPHING PROGRAM

As we covered in a previous article, graphing and art programs may assist you if you struggle to draw. Being able to connect lines through points, both straight and curved, should give you the same freedom you’d expect with a pen or pencil. The drawback is that some programs are finicky to use or cost money, but plenty of free alternatives exist.

SKIP TO PROTOTYPING

Why not? Skipping to the prototyping is a viable option in some cases. It may be a bit more difficult without a sketch, especially if you’re using a 3D printing program. But it’s still possible! If you can modify previously-existing products, that’s a great way to start. And if you have to start from scratch, using a 3D printer is still feasible. In fact…

USE A MODELING PROGRAM

Using a 3D modeling program has the added bonus of making a multi-dimensional version of your product. There is one downside: many 3D modeling programs are difficult to use and can be costly. Again, if you can find a friend who owns the program and have them assist you, it should make your project all the easier. From there, you can go straight to printing and have a basic prototype for your pitch meeting.

SKETCH ANYWAY

Unless it is physically impossible, try sketching anyway. It may not be the most beautiful or recognizable creation, but the only way to improve is through practice. Furthermore, drawing your invention yourself is the only way to ensure it looks like it does in your head. Just remember to use fresh paper and your eraser.

Remember: there is no wrong way to sketch. If you can hold a pencil, you can do it. Believe in your own talent.

While sketching is important to help get your idea across, don’t feel stressed if sketching isn’t your strong point. As long as you have inspiration for your idea and you can describe it we can help you! Check out what type of inventor you are by taking our inventor persona quiz!

The post What To Do If You Can’t Draw appeared first on Davison.

AUTODESK SKETCHBOOK (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)

If you need a wide array of brushes, this freemium app might be for you. There are 140 pre-designed brushes included, with the option to adjust them or even add your own. There’s also no layer limit, meaning you can stack and blend to your heart’s content. The $16 a month subscription fee might put some people off, but there’s a free trial to let you test the waters. And if you do subscribe, you get  24/7 support and access to tutorials and training videos.

ARTWEAVER 6 (Windows)

Another option with brushes to spare, Artweaver’s main draw (pardon the pun) is the collaboration features. If you and a partner are sketching up an invention, you can work together from your own computers on the project. You’ll need an internet connection, and to shell out $47 for the commercial version. It also runs exclusively on Windows, giving it a limited audience. Still, for collaborative sketches, there’s no better option.

VECTR (Windows, Linux, Chromebook)

Most sketches aren’t too graphic-intensive, which makes programs like Vectr a fantastic option. There isn’t an extensive toolbox (even after expanding the list), but for concept sketching and the like, there’s plenty to work with. There are also built-in tutorials and the option to download the app or work online. Best of all, it’s free, with cross-platform support.

SVG-EDIT (All platforms)

Like Vectr above, SVG-Edit is geared towards simple designing and sketching. You have the option of working online through your browser or through the desktop app, making it technically work on all platforms. No matter what, your finished work will be saved locally and can be used in any other installed program you have. Not bad for another freebie.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CC (Windows, Mac)

Photoshop has earned its place as the most recognizable image-editing software on the planet, but it’s also surprisingly useful for sketching. It’s arguably the easiest option to use on this list, and the latest iteration is cloud-based (CC stands for Creative Cloud). It’s pricey at $28 a month, and for more advanced image editing, some may find it lacking. For beginners, however, there’s no better place to start.

GIMP (Windows, Mac)

The GNU Image Manipulation Program is a completely free equivalent to Photoshop. What it may lack in intuitive design, it makes up for it in the number of features and tools at your disposal. With a competent mouse or touchscreen, the various drawing tools can make any sketch a masterpiece. It’s clunky, but it’s more advanced than its paid counterpart. And did we mention it was free?

LEONARDO (Windows)

Leonardo’s biggest draw is its “infinite canvas.” Zoom in or out, it doesn’t matter–you will never run out of space. For projects with minute details, this feature is invaluable. It’s also designed with tablets in mind, provided they run Windows. It’s still in development with more features being added, but it’s an overall promising alternative to paid art programs.

MEDIBANG PAINT (Windows, Mac, iOS)

Many artists covet Paint Tool SAI, a program geared towards the creation of manga and digital paintings. But SAI is expensive, whereas Medibang Paint has all the same features, and more, for free. It’s lightweight, admittedly, but it’s cross-platform and has access to the cloud. Start sketching on your laptop and then have to run to a meeting? You can continue your work on your phone, no problem.

We hope these apps got your creativity flowing! Are you likely to create an app, a product or maybe, a mixture of both! Take our inventor quiz to learn more about the innovator in you!

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In addition to the constant changes seen throughout the inventing industry, having the right mindset and resources readily available throughout your inventing process is crucial.  

Although your inventing toolbox will gain and lose items throughout, here are some of the things you’ll always need:

Lots of Questions
Every step of the inventing process involves asking yourself lots of questions. Before you begin, think about why you’re doing this. Were you bothered by the lack of variations for a specific product on the market? Or, maybe you came across a poorly designed product? Or have you always wanted to be an inventor but you were just waiting for the right inspirational moment to strike?  No matter the reason, it’s important you keep this at the forefront of your mind. You may need to remind yourself of it later in your journey.

As you move forward in the process, you’ll have to start asking yourself more complicated questions. Who is my invention for? What makes my invention different from the competition? These questions can make some inventors feel like they’re slipping into an existential crisis, but don’t get overwhelmed. Take the questions one step at a time. You don’t need to have all the answers right away

The Problem and the Solution
The core function of any invention is to act as a problem-solver. You’ll need to ask yourself- what is the problem that is driving you to build this invention? How does your invention solve that problem? The problem itself could involve creating an entirely new invention or it could be adding something to improve a pre-existing invention. For example, Uber Elevate is inventing a completely new mode of travel in order to solve the problem of Uber customers facing traffic issues. Similarly, every new iteration of the iPhone improves on its predecessor in certain specific features like battery life, picture quality, facial recognition, etc. Inventors often make the mistake of thinking their invention needs to be some big, entirely new creation–that’s not true at all. Think about it, how many people bought the latest iPhone?

Your Idea Sketch(es)
When you think of your idea, you should immediately begin working on the design. And there’s no better way of doing that than by sketching. We recommend keeping a notebook solely for this purpose because your sketch will change several times throughout the course of inventing. Keep your notebook handy and date each sketch along the way. It’s also a fun way of seeing how far you’ve come by the end of the inventing process.

Don’t make the mistake of putting too much pressure on your first sketch. The first one–like any first draft–will be rough. Just focus on getting the idea down in as much detail as you can. You can work out the details later. As you go on, focus on making sure all of the pieces fit together the way that you think they will in your head. And begin to think about what materials would work best as certain parts. If on your third or fourth sketch you realize a certain part or feature won’t work, be honest with yourself about it. Don’t wait until you get into the building process to double-check because you’ll just end up wasting materials. Try to work out a solution right away.

Don’t focus on the aesthetic of your design until the end of the process. Functionality comes first. Once you have that down, then you can worry about making it look pretty.

Lots of Inspiration
Another common mistake inventors make throughout the process is spreading themselves out too much. They make their workshop their inventing space, hanging up all their various diagrams and points of research on the wall like a detective who is losing his/her mind trying to catch a criminal. Don’t let your inventing space look like a crime scene. Having all of your various steps all over the place can easily make you feel overwhelmed and disorganized. It may even make you dread going into your workshop–especially when you’re having inventor’s block.

We recommend keeping all of your materials organized and in one space, preferably a drawer that you can shut at the end of a long day. As far as decor, rather than look like a criminal catcher, we recommend making the space inspirational. That can mean something different to everyone, but some suggestions would be hanging up posters with inspirational quotes or photos of people who inspire you. Make your inventing space feel comfortable and inviting and you’ll always look forward to getting in there and working every day.

Organization
It’s never too early or late in the process to get organized. And we don’t just mean keeping your workshop in order (which is also important), but also just categorizing your invention in different ways. From beginning to end, focus not only on building your invention but also on where it’s going to go after it’s created. So, for example, what stores do you think would carry your invention? Would it fit best in a convenience store like Rite Aid or a home improvement store like Home Depot? What aisle would it be under in its prospective store–apparel? electronics? housewares?

It’s important to consider this throughout the process because, if you want your invention to be sold in stores, it’ll have to fit with the other products that they sell. Come up with a few ideas on specific stores you’d want to stock your invention and where you think it’d fit. Then take a trip to that store/aisle, look at all the different products and packaging there. This may help you with your final invention sketch/design or even give you an idea for an added feature.

Your Actual Toolbox
Lastly, you’ll need your actual toolbox, aka the materials and tools you’ll be using throughout the process. Every invention requires different tools and materials. Our biggest recommendation is to play around and see what works best for the functionality of your product. You may think a certain material would be perfect in your sketching stage, but once you begin to actually build your invention you find that it doesn’t work at all. Don’t get discouraged. Research to see what types of materials similar products are using. In addition, think about what price-point you’d want your invention to be when you’re choosing materials.

If you’re trying to create a less expensive version of a product and you build with super expensive materials, you’re doing it wrong.

Make sure your inventing toolbox is constantly stocked with these basics and it’ll be easy to look into the future with excitement and fear. Isn’t that what change should be all about?

There’s no time like the present to start stacking the resources you’ll need while on your inventing journey. First things first, though: you need to know what type of inventor you are. From there, we can help you stay motivated and organized while you continue to push your product idea forward. Learn your inventing type today!

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If you celebrate Christmas, you certainly remember the excitement that came when it was time to put up the Christmas tree. Boxes upon boxes of ornaments scatter the living room as if a decorative bomb went off, leaving behind a colorful mess in its wake while you eagerly ran back and forth putting up as many ornaments as your tree could hold.

For Ryan Kenny, Christmas was always a special holiday that he held near and dear to his heart. Growing up, Kenny would meticulously comb over the Christmas tree, repositioning the ornaments until he felt it looked just right.

That same energy stuck with Kenny all the way through to adulthood. One day while decorating the tree with his family, Kenny couldn’t help but notice the unsightly pole that supported the artificial Douglass Fur. “Never should a tree that represents such a special holiday have such a hideous green fuzzy pole holding it upright,” Kenny thought to himself.

After realizing the glaring problem, Kenny took to the internet in search of a solution that would hide this imperfection. To his surprise, there was nothing on the market that currently addressed the problem at hand. Kenny decided to take action.

With a background in graphic design, he began developing a few prototypes that might do the trick. Keeping in mind that his product would have to fit more than one model of tree, Kenny finally decided on a design that worked – thus, the Christmas Tree Hugger was born.

After scouring the market for the right materials, Kenny decided on neoprene, a particularly elastic material that could stretch and hold shape. This material, coupled with a few Velcro closures did the trick. Taking a traditional tree bark design, Kenny printed a nearly perfect tree trunk right on to the material.

With a reversible wrap, one side being bark and the other side being a candy cane pattern, the Christmas Tree Hugger proved to be the perfect holiday accessory.

*Davison had no involvement with the design of the featured product

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Jennifer Sullivan, mother of two, was enjoying a rare moment of downtime and watching one of her favorite shows, Cougar Town. In this episode, two women were talking about wine and how uncorking the bottle is always the most dreadful part.  In the episode, one of the women took out a device which she screwed on to the top of the wine bottle, turning the bottle itself into a wine glass.

Awestricken by the device, Sullivan turned to the internet to find one for herself. To her surprise, the ‘invention’ didn’t actually exist. Beaming with excitement, Sullivan phoned her brother-in-law who also shares a love for wine. The two began brainstorming different ways they could make this product become available to the public.

After setting up a website and working out a deal with a manufacturer, Sullivan and her brother-in-law, Randy Rothfus, began selling the Guzzle Buddy – a one-size-fits-all wine bottle topper.

Thanks to viral videos and the internet, the Guzzle Buddy grew in popularity – eventually finding its way to The Ellen DeGeneres Show and became a featured gift idea in several magazine articles. Made using borosilicate glass and silicone, the Guzzle Buddy easily screws into most standard-sized wine bottles, creating a great gag-gift and conversation piece at parties.

Although popular, Sullivan and Rothfus were constantly faced with the question, “Why not just drink from the bottle?” In an effort to combat the negative stigma around their product, the two began researching. It wasn’t long before they found an answer.

As stated on the Guzzle Buddy website, “Researchers suggest that when we taste something, as much as 80 percent can be attributed to the smell.” Drinking directly from the bottle doesn’t allow appreciation of the smell of the wine or beer. While using the Guzzle Buddy, however, “liquid streams down the inside of the glass allowing the carbonated bubbles to burst releasing those wonderful aromas that you inhale.”

Today, the Guzzle Buddy remains one of the most popular wine-related gift items on the market today. The company has even begun to branch out, creating beer soda bottle toppers as well. Remember, just because you see it on television doesn’t mean it exists.

*Davison had no involvement with the design of the featured product

The post From TV Show Prop – To Real Life Success: The Guzzle Buddy appeared first on Davison.

It’s when we open our eyes and open our minds to the nature of improvement that innovation ignites.

For over 27 years, so many people have reached out to our professional team at Davison because they believed in their ideas. They are idea people. They are innovators. They are inventors.

These clients believed that they had found “a better way.” While some confidentially submitted ideas for completely new inventions, others submitted ideas for innovations that would improve a current way something is done. They were able to tune into their power of observation and open their minds to the possibility of improvement. In either case, these client stories are not unlike the story of our founder, Mr. George Davison. While they may have tried and failed and then tried again and failed again, it’s all a part of failing your way forward.

As we keep going after our ideas, new observations are realized. We learn to understand why it didn’t work the first time, the second time, the third time. However many times it takes is what’s necessary to make movement and progress. Just take it from one of Mr. Davison’s inspirational thought leaders:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

The lesson is to keep curious, keep observing and continue on the path to innovation. If you have an idea and want help on your invention journey, contact us today.

Copyright Davison, 2016

Media:

http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventors/fl/Failed-Inventions-of-Thomas-Alva-Edison.htm

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Inventing is not an easy process. It takes motivation and dedication to move your invention forward. Founder George Davison has identified three key fundamentals of inventing. Let these ideals motivate you to push forward towards your goals.

A desire to do good by improving things.

In a previous blog post, we talked about the importance of desire when pursuing an idea, which noted:

In the invention industry, desire is what sparks the fire; it’s what helps a person persevere despite the ups and downs of the process…

Desire is fueled by your ‘why?’… For our founder, George Davison, his ‘why’ was fueled by failure and his story of passion and desire has become a great example of how to fail your way forward.

Why do you think your idea is better and what goodness will it bring into our world? It takes desire to begin answering these questions. Until you’ve found that inner spark that fuels you to open up and be creative, it will be hard to latch onto the desire that’s necessary to accomplish great things. When the desires change and we ask ourselves for something better or for something more, our minds open up and we start to look for new solutions.

Use your observational skills to identify improvement opportunities that mean something to you.

Every invention started somewhere. You’ll find that when you give your mind permission to seek innovation and improvement, a world of different opportunities will start to present itself to you. Some of us may seek improvements that we encounter in the world around us, while others will go into deep science seeking understanding that will one day provide insight for inventors in the future to invent their creations.

Start innovating.

How to start innovating begins with the environment around you. We are big believers in creating inspirational environments around our inventors. When you are immersed with a positive can-do spirit, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

One of the first things about innovation and invention is creating an environment for yourself that enables mental openness to allow you to think of a better way to do something.

“I have fundamentally altered innovation labs, R&D labs, college makerspaces, high school makerspaces and more for people, just trying to set the stage for a creative mindset to take root,” said Mr. Davison.

The professional team at Davison is here to help guide you through the inventing process, just like they’ve done with so many other Davison clients who dared to invent.

Get started today by confidentially submitting your invention idea!

Copyright Davison, 2016

The post How-To: Inventing Basics Every Inventor Should Know appeared first on Davison.

Moving forward with your invention idea can be scary. Why? Because it’s a big risk and the future is uncertain.

Commonly, things that fall outside the bounds of our comfort zone scare us; they make us second guess ourselves or make us believe that our idea will never work.

Today, we’re going to offer you some tools to combat that sort of thinking and realize as the popular saying goes, “Life begins outside of your comfort zone.”

Is it worth it?

When deciding on whether or not to take a risk, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself some questions and really delve into the roots of the idea. Here are some questions to ask:

• Is this risk worth fighting for?
• Does your idea stir emotion?
• Could it help others? Inspire action?

If you can answer “Yes” to these questions without hesitating, then it’s at this point that you really ask yourself, “Am I ready to take this risk?”

Be smart about it

Risks come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s taking a risk at lunch and opting for the taco bar instead of your go-to turkey club or deciding on whether or not to go skydiving, risks can be big or small and that’s why it’s always important to weigh the pros and cons. So, if you’ve wanted to move forward with something, but you think it’s too big of a risk, take time to write down the pros and cons of the idea. By doing so, you’ll be able to look at the list of positives and negatives to see the big picture of your idea.

Think quick

Sometimes when it comes to risk taking, you only have a split second to make a decision. It’s in these times that you’ll have to both act fast and learn fast. In quick-decision situations, it’s best to have your wits about you, be in tune with your gut feeling, and process the details at hand, so that you can figure out where to start. Every day is a new opportunity to learn. When taking risks, be logical and realize that failure is a part of life. However, how you deal with failure is a choice. You can either let it define you or let it help mold you. As Thomas Edison once said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

You’ll never know if you don’t try

Risks are just that – they’re risky. There are no guarantees that when you take a risk, the outcome will be in your favor. Though you can’t go into a risk knowing that you’ll be rewarded, in the end, you can approach a risk with the mindset that you’re going to learn something new either way. On the contrary, there are risks that can be taken where the outcome is fairly obvious and might not be in your favor. It’s up to you to trust your gut and, like we mentioned in the last tip, weigh your pros and cons and be smart about your risk taking. So, the next time you’re faced with a risk – consider these tips and make your decision!

If you’re ready to take the plunge – you can submit your invention idea, today!

Copyright Davison, 2016

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1.  First up, with corner drawers like these, who needs a Lazy Susan?  From the looks of these deep, far-reaching drawers, they’ll hold everything but the kitchen sink!

2.  Stash your cash in a wall outlet?  Who wouldn’t be fooled by this secret hiding place?  Although, finding cash in an old pair of jeans is nice, finding it a wall outlet would be electrifying!

3.  This tub is the perfect place to store soap, shampoo, razors and more.  It’s also perfect for quickly cleaning up any items you wouldn’t want guests to see in your bathroom!

4.  Another unique space-saver, there really would be some things “hiding” under these stairs!  And, if you’ve ever lived in an apartment or home with too little closet space, these would be a life-saver!

5.  While it may not look so conventional, this is one ladder that looks out for you!  It’s ergonomically correct, so your body won’t mind the climb!

6.  Very in-tune with today’s needs, this little tool is great for the ultra-resourceful musician!  Make your guitar picks out of used gift cards or credit cards!

7.  A certain improvement to the day-bed, this sofa allows you to easily transform your living space into a bunk for two!  Who’s calling top bunk?

8.  Mother always told us not to drink out of the sink, but what if it was easily converted into a fountain?  With this simple tool, it is!

9.  Finally, another awesome invention Mr. Davison sent over, you’ve got to see this one in action!  Imagine these “Air Swimmers” chasing around your family and friends around at your next party or gathering.  Definitely crowd-pleasers, these fish are remote controlled!  (Jaws theme song not included!)

We hope you enjoyed today’s wild and wonderful creations!  Be inspired!

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