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.

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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The first prototype is a “proof of concept” model that determines if the invention can work as intended. It may not look exactly like the final prototype and it certainly isn’t made from the same materials. It is usually made of very inexpensive materials. This model is used to determine what design options are working, what will need to be redesigned and the overall “look and feel” of the product idea. With this model, the design team can see how the product fits in with its intended environment. For example, if the product fits in your hand, then they can ask: Is it a comfortable size? Is it easy to push buttons (with your thumb or other hand)? Does the shape feel right?

After the Davison design team has had a chance to refine the design, the next step is to make a product sample. These models are usually more like the intended final product in terms of materials, proportions, style, and function. The team will most likely still use less expensive prototyping materials, but the materials will be closer to the type used in the ultimate product. Photographs can be taken of this version and used to create marketing materials. Because this prototype is used to create the product packaging.

Davison creates packaging for the new product sample prototype, so that licensees can imagine how it would fit into their product line and imagine how it would look alongside their other products on store shelves. This by far is the most measurable benefit of the product sample development process, because manufacturers don’t buy great ideas, they buy great products that are well designed and ready for production.

If a manufacturer decides to license a product, they can request that an additional prototype be created to work out issues with their preferred materials and manufacturing processes.

So, you can see that from early concept to final product, the prototype development process is an important part of creating a new product that is well designed and appealing to customers.

The post The Benefits of Developing a Product Sample appeared first on Davison.

Once we discuss your idea and determine whether it fits within our scope of work, we can offer you our services – the same services that we provide to individual inventors and corporations that we develop products for.

In fact, we’ve been providing those same services since our CEO, George Davison, founded our company in 1986, when he set out to help everyday individuals professionally develop their ideas for an economical cost… essentially, our better way to invent.

You see, Mr. D poured his life savings into chasing down his product idea for a new tooth brush sanitizer, only to be beat to market by a large corporation with bigger pockets and better resources.

That’s right, Mr. D spent $30,000 trying to bring his invention to life… and, he’s not alone either.  There are countless inventors who choose to go the road alone, spending all of their precious time and money to pursue their ideas.

Unlike many inventors, Mr. D’s experience did not defeat him; instead, it inspired him to found Davison and find a better way to invent, which is the benchmark of what our business is today.  At Davison, we have the resources to confidentially discuss, design, engineer, build, package and present ideas – and it doesn’t cost an entire life’s savings.

So, of course, there are costs involved with making your idea a reality.  But, what can you expect?

Again, there is absolutely no cost for submitting your idea and you will receive a confidential consultation just for trusting us with it.  Once we’ve talked it over and you’ve decided to commit to Davison’s Better Way to Invent, there are fees for the research, product development and package design we may do for your idea.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a large corporation or an everyday person with an idea.

Simply, it costs money to present your idea in the best way possible.  And, that’s something we’re pretty proud of.  Davison has won numerous international design awards.  More importantly, we’ve put dozens of  products in over 1,000 retailers and online stores.  By comparison, our services are among the best of any design and prototyping company out there.

Get familiar with Davison’s Better Way to Invent by exploring www.davison.com.  Our product pages show inventions that we’ve helped bring to life for everyday people and corporations, alike.

Finally, submit your idea and we’ll get started on your no-cost consultation as soon as possible.

For more information on costs, please visit our website.

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Prospective buyers of your invention feel the same way. They want to see a 3D sample of your product that proves its functionality beyond your theoretical blueprints.

When developing an idea, creating a prototype is a crucial step in the process that mustn’t be ignored. Having a prototype let’s you and potential buyers experience a real version of your product.

Prototypes also help inventors:

SAVE: Prototyping sheds light on any costly errors that may exist in production before finalizing the process and Before Patenting!

TEST: Specs alone can often miss necessary components of the product. Holding a product in your hand can help you catch these omissions.

ACCENTUATE: When it’s time to patent, having a working prototype accentuates your product, making easier to sit down with a patent attorney and see what design aspects may be patentable.

RESEARCH: With a tangible sample, research can be done with the potential licensees, manufacturers, or buyers of your product.

TRYOUT: A prototype gives potential sellers the ability to see how your product may look and fit both physically and aesthetically on their shelves.

“When you arrive with a prototype in hand to meet any professional — from your own attorney to a potential licensing company — you separate yourself from the dozens of others who’ve approached them with only vague ideas in mind. Instead, you’ll be viewed as a professional with a purpose, as opposed to just an inventor with a potentially good idea,” says Tamara Monosoff, founder and CEO of MomInvented.com, in her Entrepreneur.com article.

Give your invention the best possible chance to work properly or be licensed – make sure you create a prototype.

Prototyping is also an important part of the Davison process. Our objective is to build a product that fits seamlessly into a corporation product line, and building prototypes is what we do every day in our design facility.

The post Why You Should Prototype Your Invention appeared first on Davison.

If you haven’t yet started, you may find yourself stuck in either the excited or confused category.

A common question for new inventors is “Should I make a prototype of my idea?”  And, that question is common for a couple of reasons.  Of course, when you come up with a new idea, the first thing you want to do is see it and touch it.  So, the logical thought is to create it, then and there.  Plus, if you don’t have something tangible, you may question whether or not a company will even be interested in your invention idea.  How will they see it the same way that you do?

But, taking your idea from your mind and putting it in your hands can be a difficult and expensive thing to do.  Here are some things to consider:

–          Do you have the time to create a working prototype?

–          What kind of materials will you need to make a prototype?

–          How much will it cost to bring your idea to life in the form of a prototype?

The truth is, when it comes to a new product, a prototype is more appealing than a drawing and companies will often go through many prototypes until they’re happy with the final product.

When we present our clients’ ideas and prototypes to corporations for possible licensing, it’s not always the first one that is accepted.  In fact, it rarely ever is.  If a company shows an interest in one of our clients’ ideas, we may send a product back to design over and over again, to test things like:

–          Are we using the same materials as our target corporation?

–          Is the product cost-effective?

–          Can the product be easily mass-produced?

So, while you ultimately may want to have a prototype to present your idea, at the early stages of submitting your idea to our firm, you are not required to have one ready.  The confidentiality agreements that we provide will allow us to discuss your idea with you and then move forward to designing, engineering, prototyping and beyond.

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