WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

You may be thinking that your invention idea is enough to sell on its own even without sketches. It’s unlikely, and it just makes every subsequent step harder. Additionally, sketching has far more benefits beyond being a visual aid to help you tell your story. Sketching is an excellent brainstorming activity and can help you further visualize ideas you may already have. It’s cheap and effective, even when it’s not enormously detailed. Remember: sketches are not drawings. They’re simple, with minimal detail.  You don’t need color or multiple pens and pencils. It’s just the basic concept laid out in visual form.

Having sketches of your work also makes it easier to communicate. Some concepts are difficult to get across verbally. Having an image as a supplement makes communication less of a chore. It also aids in collaboration, as colleagues can actively see and comment on your project. People may interpret your words differently, but a sketch is more universal. It also allows for faster iterations and changes, even if you have an existing prototype. That’s another thing to keep in mind: sketching isn’t prototyping. Prototypes take time, money, and effort. Sketches require far fewer resources.

HOW TO IMPROVE

The most common piece of advice you’ll hear for any skill is “practice, practice, practice.” And it’s true: the more you work at a skill, the more you’ll improve. Painter Bob Ross once said, “Talent is a pursued interest. In other words, anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.” Therefore, if you want to make better sketches, make as many as you can. Sketch whenever you have a free moment. Doodle in the margins of your notebook. Scribble on a napkin at a restaurant.

That being said, there are a few more specific tips we can give you. First, be messy. You’re not creating a masterpiece. It’s okay if there are overlapping lines or eraser marks. Taking field notes may also prove useful, depending on what sort of invention you’re working on. Consider practicing making pen sketches: it’ll prove useful if you’re ever without a pencil when inspiration strikes.

One common recommendation for artistic sketchers is to try precision, i.e. inventive, sketching. Using a different skill set broadens your options and gives you more freedom and experience. The same is true in reverse. Try recreating a garden scene or a loved one’s face in your sketchbook. It may not be the most flattering likeness, but it’s still practice.

If you’re especially passionate about polishing your sketches, you might want to consider taking a class in sketching. Plenty of art and business schools offer courses in inventive or production sketching. Websites like Skillshare also host seminars on the topic. This is a great step if you want your sketches to be above and beyond in quality.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The value of a good sketch can’t be overstated. It’s invigorating, helpful, and even fun. Having a unique, useful idea will always be the most important factor, but coupled with visuals, it becomes something more. It makes the product feel real long before the prototype phase. Sketching is a skill any good inventor- any good creative type, really- should consider having.

Many people struggle to draw a stick figure, but if you can get it down on paper it will be easier to talk about. If you have the time and you have several ideas a class might be a great place to start. Not everyone can be Bob Ross, but everyone can have an idea. Find out what kind of inventor you are today by taking our inventor quiz!

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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!

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1) Factory or Outsourcing?

When you’re looking for an invention company, one of the most important things to check is whether the company will be building your invention in-house or whether it will be outsourced. A lot of invention building companies tend to outsource the bulk of the building work to a factory across the country and sometimes even across the world. They typically do this to save money on production costs, which may make them seem appealing as the cost will likely be lower for you as well. But this savings comes at a price.

Companies that outsource tend to be less customer-service friendly as there will be a constant back and forth between the customer, the sales company, and the outsourced production company. This means if you have a question or concern, it will likely take days or even weeks for the company to get back to you with an answer. And, because the company itself isn’t directly overseeing the invention process, there can be a ‘telephone effect’ where you tell this company what you want and then, when they communicate it second-hand, it doesn’t result in the outcome you expected. As a general rule, look for a company that does its inventing work in-house.

2) Getting products in store and on shelves

Another important thing to look at is a company’s ability to get inventions on the shelves of stores. Once you’re finished going through the actual production process, a lot of product development companies will leave you high and dry. Many may be able to create your invention, but there are very few that will help you with what comes after the invention is completed. Those next steps can be scary and difficult to navigate. When you’re looking for a company to build your invention, see what they can do to help you in the next steps.

3) Prototyping

When you’re choosing a product development company, have them take you through their process from signed contract to the completed invention. It’s important to make sure they’ve included one crucial step: Prototyping. For those unfamiliar, prototyping is the step in which one makes an early sample or model of a product or invention to act as an example or something to be learned from. This step is crucial because it’s the time to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Without this step, your invention will likely not look or function as you envisioned it.

4) Customer Service

This is another aspect to keep in mind as you’re having a company walk through their product development system. It’s important to know how heavily involved you’ll be in their process. Ideally, you’ll work with a company that involves you in the procedure each step of the way, rather than a company with a more hands-off approach. If the company isn’t willing to take the time to talk with you in detail about your invention throughout the process, you run the risk of them building a product that wasn’t at all like what you had envisioned. So, when you call companies, you should not only make sure you ask about your involvement throughout the process but also make sure you like the people you speak with.

5) Confidentiality

This is one of the more common fears for inventors: how do I know my idea is safe? It’s absolutely crucial that you make sure whichever company you choose to work with takes measures to ensure your confidentiality is protected. This typically involves a confidentiality agreement of some sort between yourself and the company as a whole. However, some companies take the extra measure of making each of their employees sign a confidentiality agreement as well upon hiring. Both of these measures ensure that you’re working with a trustworthy company and that your idea is safe from those with unsavory business practices.

6) Awards/Proof of Excellence

This step isn’t absolutely necessary, but it is helpful to have further proof of a company’s good track record aside from their word. Knowing they’ve won awards or even seeing some good reviews is a way to further make certain that you’ll be in good hands. There are several different awards that a product development company could have won or been nominated for. For example, it may be helpful to see if they’ve ever won or been nominated for an International Design Excellence award, which is an awards program co-sponsored by Businessweek Magazine and the International Designers Society of America.

Summary: Questions to Ask Product Development Companies

1) Do you build your inventions in-house or do you outsource them to another company?
2) Have you gotten products in stores?
3) Take me through your inventing process. Do you prototype inventions?
4) How involved will I be throughout the inventing process?
5) Is my invention idea protected? If so, what steps do you take to protect it?
6) Have you won any awards? Or do you have any other proof of your expertise?

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Do you have a better understanding of things that make an invention company a good one? Are you comfortable with looking for the invention company that is right for you? Check out what kind of inventor you are by clicking our link below!

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Before you know it, we’ll be gathered around the table with our family and friends enjoying a delicious meal with all of the fixings.

But, just as you prepare for your Thanksgiving Day feast, Paula Deen and our friends over at Hugs Pet Products have been preparing recipes for your furry four-legged family members in Deen’s own kitchen, online and on TV!

What could we possibly mean? Recently, Hugs and Paula Deen released their brand-new Paula Deen Premium Select Pet Food commercial!

If you haven’t seen it yet, now is your chance!

This short, but sweet, video gives viewers an inside look at the nutritious ingredients that are used to create this wholesome blend of pet food.

What’s even better is that the work that our friends over at Inventionland did for Hugs Pet Products was featured in this commercial as they were the creative minds behind the package design!

The commercial has been running since Monday, October 19 and will continue through December. The 30-second video even has been featured on the big-time TV network, Lifetime!

As Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner, we can’t help but give thanks for this great update from our friends over at Inventionland and Hugs Pet Products!

Copyright Davison, 2015

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Three of our creative Directors of New Products here at Davison channeled their innovative and inventive spirits to create a costume that won them the award for Best Group Costume.

Lara, Laurie Ann, and Katelynn went above and beyond to tie in their costumes to our company! As you can see in the picture below, the group dressed as a piñata + a cupcake + Peter PAN and the result was the Piñata Cupcake Pan – get it?

“We all had such a great time putting these three costumes together. We worked really hard on them during our lunch breaks throughout the week, leading up to the very last minute! Laurie Ann is so creative and is always thinking outside of the box! We couldn’t have done it without her! Katelynn came up with the idea initially and we just built on it from there. We were so excited to win and even if we didn’t win a thing, the look on Mr. D’s face was rewarding enough! “said Lara.

This sweet costume was inspired by the Mrs. Fields Bake N Stuff Cupcake pan, a product that our friends over at Inventionland designed for the Love Cooking Company. Before airing on QVC, this innovative baking product was repackaged as the Piñata Cupcake Pan!

“We had so much fun with our costumes! Katelynn and Lara were troopers working so hard during lunchtime with all of my bossiness. I agree with Lara that seeing the look on Mr. Davison’s face was priceless. The hardest part was maneuvering around in a giant cupcake,” said Laurie Ann.

Just like the Piñata Cupcake Pan made an impression on QVC viewers, so too did this costume on the judges!

“This is the third Halloween party that I’ve attended to date at Inventionland and I must admit this year was the best! Laurie Ann is so creative in the way she put together the concept of the ‘Pinata Cupcake Pan’! It was so much fun getting to work together and bring the idea to life. The look on everyone’s faces was well worth the embarrassment of walking around as a Pinata! I’m excited about next year’s challenge and, who knows, maybe it will be another costume inspired by a great product!” exclaimed Katelynn.

We must admit that this costume was pretty sweet! Congratulations Lara, Laurie Ann and Katelynn for a job well done!

Copyright Davison, 2015

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Where did the Pittsburgh Business Times’ Coolest Offices Month showcase begin? None other than at our friends over at Inventionland’s creative design facility! Yes, they were featured as the first, coolest office of September!

In the write-up of “WHY WE HAVE A COOL OFFICE,” the Pittsburgh Business Times’ listing states:

“Inventionland is America’s largest invention factory, where new products are designed, engineered and packaged by creative professionals who work inside 16-unique themed sets. Ideas are conceived at the round table in the Inventalot Castle, take root inside Davy’s Treehouse, come to life inside the Animation Attic and really take off at the Inventionland Motor Speedway, just to name a few. Our innovators are inspired by the sights and sounds of a shipwrecked pirate ship, three running waterfalls, life-like trees and grass-lined sidewalks.”

What an awesome way for our friends at Inventionland to start out September! See the entire Pittsburgh Business Times’ Coolest Offices Month showcase on Inventionland here!

Copyright Davison, 2015

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Well, since we hate to disappoint, we’ll just go ahead and spill the beans one more time!

This Sunday, June 7th, Fox & Friends will be featuring a few of the innovative Hugs Pet Products that we’ve designed for our clients at our very own invention factory, Inventionland!

In a national segment called “How to Keep your Pets Cool this Summer,” Fox & Friends will feature some of the Hugs’ Arctic and Hydro toys, the Cool Cot and Chillz Mats!

That’s not one, not two, but three client products that will be featured on national TV this Sunday!

Right now, the “How to Keep your Pets Cool this Summer” segment is slated to run at 6:50 a.m. EST on Fox & Friends.

Of course, after our products air on Fox & Friends this Sunday, we’ll have a complete recap for you, but who can wait that long?! Set your DVR and start spreading the word today!

Copyright Davison, 2015

Images:

http://global.fncstatic.com/static/p/show-page/all/img/ff-avatar.jpg

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

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If the buzz we’ve already received from last week’s National Hardware Show is true, Davison and our very own invention factory, Inventionland, are in for an even more exciting year ahead. Last week, we were in sunny Las Vegas meeting with some of the 2,500 exhibitors who represented over 15 product categories.

The 2015 National Hardware Show was the perfect platform to explore the products and exhibitors in the industry. This trade show allows us to connect face-to-face with the people behind the brands and products!

This year, we sent Davison representatives to explore the trade show and make connections; and, that’s exactly what they did!

Our reps met with big-name companies that cater to catalog, seasonal and fourth quarter items. They also touched base with a company that represents some popular lifestyle brands. But, they didn’t stop there!

Davison and Inventionland reps talked with companies that specialize in the tool and hardware industry, the juvenile industry and the outdoor products industry.

It sounds like our representatives covered a lot of ground in their three days at the National Hardware Show! But, you know what they say, “Seeing is believing.” So, here’s even more proof! In total, our representatives made connections that covered over 22 miles! Yes, you read that right, 22 miles!

Stay tuned to see where those 22 miles will lead us this year!

Here are some more pictures of the event straight from the National Hardware Show’s Instagram page!

[nggallery id=3]

Copyright Davison, 2015

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No, you didn’t read that headline incorrectly. We said that the Hanger Pockets we designed at Inventionland for our client Jennifer have some serious “Tex Appeal!”

Now, what on earth did we mean?

The clothing accessory organizer that conveniently slips over a hanger, allowing users to keep their outfits carefully coordinated, has been featured in the September issue of a Central Texas life and style magazine, aptly named “Tex Appeal.”

According to their website, Tex Appeal is “fascinating, alluring, engaging, tempting, influencing, and charming… all about Central Texas living . . . the people, the places, and the things that make us appealing.”

In their September 2014 issue, Tex Appeal writers featured an article that told the story of how Hanger Pockets came to be. Not only was a Davison inventor and her product featured in the magazine, but our founder and CEO Mr. Davison contributed to the story as well!

In a one-on-one interview with our inventor, Jennifer, she reveals that she originally signed with Davison in 2008, but it took her over two years to save the funds to move her idea forward. Our client said that even when her idea moved forward, there was a lot of waiting around.

“When I did hear, I got rejections from several manufacturers. At that point, I decided to put the matter in God’s hands and move forward with my life,” Jennifer said.

Early in 2014, Jennifer got a call that was not a rejection, but a licensing agreement with the Jokari Corporation. Though she was overjoyed, she said that she, again, waited another six month for her Hanger Pockets to hit the market.

“Be sure you have a strong support network also, because you will go through a roller coaster of emotions – you need people around who will believe in you and listen. You also have to walk by faith and not what you can see at the moment,” said Jennifer.

Mr. Davison said that Jennifer’s product is off to a great start, thanks to her persistence to pursue her idea.

“Hanger Pockets is off to a good start; it’s gotten the kind of response we hoped to get… [Jennifer] had an idea that worked and Jokari was happy with it, too. This is a win-win for all parties involved,” said Mr. Davison.

Read more about Jennifer’s Hanger Pocket story and see what the magazine has to say about our nine-step Better Way to Invent on pages 42-43 of Tex Appeal.

Congratulations, again, to Jennifer and the entire Davison and Inventionland teams that worked to bring Hanger Pockets to market!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://issuu.com/tdtnews/docs/texappealsept2014/0

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But, why wait until next year to get excited about seeing some Davison-designed pet products on the market?

Recently, it was brought to our attention that Coupaw.com had a deal on Sticks Throwing Dog Treats, a tasty product that we designed for Hugs Pet Products!

According to their website, Coupaw is a pet-friendly, member website that offers its users limited-time deals on pet supplies in order to “tell other people about some of the best pet services and retailers [they] could find, and to arrange some great savings for all of us!”

When a user subscribes to Coupaw, deals on dog and cat products are emailed to them. For a limited time, they are able to take advantage of those deals and share them with friends and family to get credit toward future deals.

Although the Sticks deal has now expired, it had featured both the Smokey Bacon and Peanut Butter flavors of the throwing dog treats for as low as $6.95, almost half of their $11.98 suggested retail price.

What’s even better than seeing one product that we designed at Davison for sale?

While pawing around for Sticks on Coupaw.com, we spotted ANOTHER Davison-designed pet product featured on the website!

The Whack-a-Mouse Interactive Cat Toy had been offered as a deal on Coupaw, too! The Whack-a-Mouse, cousin of the whack-a-mole, is a game that will keep any cat chasing after a toy mouse for hours.

If you’ve got a pet (or even if you don’t), sign up for Coupaw.com alerts today and see some awesome Davison-designed pet products at super-great deals!

Copyright Davison 2014

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