I just launched a kickstarter project. I am starting a business producing custom wood veneers covers for the iPhone.
I guess I have always been leaning towards the more entrepreneurial side of design. Though you guys might be interested in checking it out.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2101651398/toast-functional-bling-for-your-iphone?ref=email
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While Core77 is an international “design” oriented website, it is not a retail outlet for craft work. We love to hear, and see, how ideas are developed (not too hard, since you’ve explained it in your k/s link), but the end result of your “project” would be more appropriately posted on Etsy.com
I will allow this to stand, but please refrain from submitting similar posts.
Sorry. It came across as more promotional then intended.
I wanted to show the entrepreneurial direction that I have taken. One career path that isn’t often shown in design schools.
Try the >Business Practices forum here. Lot’s of information there for you. Maybe even start your own thread there to discuss your business venture, but keep it non commercial.
The “Because We Can” blog post(s) on the main page is also good for you as part 1 summary is: “Here in Part 1, the duo tell us about their fortuitous discovery of ShopBot and how digital fabrication helped launch their firm.”
Good luck to you! The mod here has already reviewed your work.
I imagine you know about these guys?
http://karvt.com/shop/?shopp_category=19
But if you can get “the community” to buy you an Epilog, more power to you.
There are certainly a few out there. http://www.grovemade.com/
Most of the time, the output of the epilog seems more graphic design with a little bit of “fabrication” than anything else. Obviously, the possibilities (can) go further than that but that’s not the machines job.
Scott bringing up “community” - now we’re getting somewhere! Who’s your target audience and how do you plan on reaching them? Well, we know one of your answers is kickstarter.
Mbrecher, update your profile with your location. The community here can possibly refer resources that are local to you.
Sure. The idea isn’t entirely new. What idea is?
I am focusing on customization and my graphics are really different.
Kickstarter is a great venue to launch a company. A great way to test if your idea is worth pursuing before going into debt buying equipment.
Well there’s your target audience. Even Ferrari is doing bespoke now.
TechShop Portland is in planning, so you may not need to go into debt, at least as far as buying your own equipment.
http://techshop.ws/locations.html
Thanks. Yeah there is ADX and Tech shop here. The problem is that renting time on a machine doesn’t work out. It is like $2 per minute and some of the designs take 5-10 minutes to cut. I have been renting time on a machine at an Architectural Model Shop for prototyping. To make the covers at an affordable price, there is no choice but to buy a laser cutter.
I met this company at a Shanghai trade show. Nice looking machines. Competent people and presentation and stock in the USA warehouse. Appropriate mass emailings for my interests from them.
$3800 for the engraver.
Thanks for the link. Those are pretty inexpensively priced machines. My concern with buying a foreign made and supported laser is the support network and availability of parts. Have your purchased anything from them?
Thought I would post an update, seeing as so many of you are considering Kickstarter. Be prepared to be a salesman. Kickstarter isn’t going to magically bring you tons of traffic. I have spent the last two weeks doing nothing but chasing blogs, emailing everyone I know and cajoling all my friends to pass Toast along. It is working but not at the rate I need to make my funding goal. I am still waiting to see if some of the major blogs will pick it up.
I am also learning to work FB, twitter and even trying Instagram. Getting the word out is the only job right now, and probably going forward if this launches.
Anyone got a suggestion for a blog to hit up? I am trying to target more fashion and craft blogs now or some of the smaller design websites.
That’s the news from the front.
Kickstarter is a great venue to launch a company. A great way to test if your idea is worth pursuing before going into debt buying equipment.
Anyone got a suggestion for a blog to hit up? I am trying to target more fashion and craft blogs now or some of the smaller design websites.
You really should try http://www.etsy.com, if you haven’t already, but you’ll be competing with 2,500 other “iphone skin” products.
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You really should try http://www.etsy.com, if you haven’t already, but you’ll be competing with 2,500 other “iphone skin” products.
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Thanks LMO,
I am trying for more of a stand alone business model then the Etsy one. Not to say I couldn’t try to tap into that market. But I have set up the business plan on larger production quantities then I think are the norm at Etsy. Last time I looked, Etsy took a good sized cut too. I’ll look into it. Thanks.
M
Try popular tech blogs and gadget sites like gizmodo if you havent`t already.
Dodocase got a lot of publicity like that and is now a huge success.
Thanks. I have been hitting up the gadget blogs. Not a lot of traction with them. The World’s Best Ever was great. Also GrassrootsModern and Design.org covered us. Posting on Reddit has got us infront of people too. We are getting there. 4 days to go and are at 65% funding. This will be down to the wire!
2 hours left! Looks like we are going to make it. I need some sleep…
put a bird on it!
Yes!
