Quirky Brief #6: Let’s Make Something Cool For Kids!

Remember how fun it was to be a kid? We do. So for Quirky Brief #6, Quirky’s takin’ it back. WAY back. We’re takin’ it all the way back to childhood. This brief’s for all the moms, dads, nannies, and mannies out there… Let’s make a really cool thing-a-ma-bob for kids. For this brief, we’re looking for products that cater to the 2 to 8 crowd. Could be anything, so let your imagination run wild. After all, we’re all young at heart! And hey, if it means breaking out the crayons and construction paper for your idea sketches, do what you gotta do. We won’t judge. Ideation is live. Submit your idea here!

Production Report #2: Click n Cook

The past three weeks… Click n Cook is looking good, and it’s almost ready for production. The T1 samples of the five spatula head types looked great, and they even work with our 3D-printed handle! We are making some slight adjustments, like softening sharp edges and specifying a stiffer durometer for the mixing head. Overall, a very positive run. Check them out below (and please note that the colored tab is not shown in these images). Over the past few weeks, we have also made several modifications to the CnC base and handle design, and our factory has nearly finished executing them. Here’s the base in a historical context (final base design on bottom). Its evolution is a great example of how m Read More...

Rating, Schmating

Starting today, there will no longer be rating for Industrial Design, Naming, Tagline, Logo, and other non-evaluation projects. This change will go into effect after the Product 61 naming project closes out. You will still be able to rate ideas in Product Evaluation phase — and you’re encouraged to! There are a couple of reasons why we’re making this change for non-eval projects: - As many of you have told us (quite loudly!) rating for these projects was a major time-suck, especially as the number of submissions continues to grow. - Because fewer people were rating, we weren’t receiving as much useful, conclusive data. - We want you to be able to focus your efforts on finding and pushing forward the best Read More...

Introducing… Shower Station

Searching for the perfect bathroom caddy? Shower Station organizes and customizes to fit your shower space, and it’s now available for just $45 (MSRP: $50) in the Quirky store. Everyone has different shower habits, and different stuff to go with those habits. That’s why we created Shower Station, a stylish modular shower storage solution with detachable components so you can organize all the bath accessories you use. Shower Station consists of a rectangular metal frame with a dual chrome/brushed metal finish and four detachable shelves designed to hold any size bottle or bar soap. Each shelf also includes a removable silicone insert, with perforations to securely hold toothbrushes and razors upright. Shower Stat Read More...

Industrial Design For P63: Inspire Us!

So you may have noticed a little something different when Industrial Design for Product 63, the “perfect scoop” dip bowl, launched last night. Unlike other rounds, we didn’t start off this project with a handful of sketches. We’re offering a completely blank slate. Rather than inspire, we want to BE inspired by all of you out there in the community. So come on — “wow” us! Our design process is a constantly evolving and iterative experience. This is just one way we’re shaking it up. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!

When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

We’re in the process of developing the ultimate dip bowl. So in the interest of product research, and product research alone, we HAD to hold an office-wide dip-off. (Sigh) The things they make us do around here. Our array of dips and dippers. Dip bowl FAIL. Salsa on knuckles: it’s a problem.

Contour Logo Inspiration

We want to make sure the Contour is not just another hanger. Your dry cleaner is giving you wire hangers for free, so we’re making sure that Contour is different, with a level of elegance that evokes emotion. Here’s what’s inspiring us, and what should inspire you for the logo design project: The Swarm Screen shows great play between its different parts. Even though everything is at 90 degrees, the screen creates a lot of movement in the space it takes up. We love that the Autoban chair has a playful nature because of its width and curves. Even though all of those elements are constant, the chair has some very elegant profiles. The A-Stool is a great example of a super simple and clean, yet highly ef Read More...

Hey-Hey From Pei-Pei

Oh hi, Quirks! I’m Nancy, or Pei-Pei (see About Us for elaboration), and I am so excited to be the newest addition to the Finance/Ops team! I was brought on to manage the growing Quirky inventory from all our sweet products. With two product selections a week now, a growing retail presence, and holiday season right around the corner, I’m here to make sure the products are where they’re supposed to be and ready for business. I’ll be diving right in to build the inventory accounting function and compulsively track your products from start to finish. The Finance/Ops crew made it very clear that I need to bring number crunching to a whole new level of kickass. I agree, so on my first day I showed them a product analysis file AN Read More...

Production Report #3: Space Bar

To make a long story short: Production has been greenlit! Projected ship date: December 1st And to make a short story long: We just received the T4 version of Space Bar earlier this week. Great stuff! This prototype was a fully functional test to reveal any issues still remaining with the product. There were a handful of tiny issues, but nothing major: some tweaking on the aluminum parts, finishing touches on the finish, polishing on the mold cavities, adjusting on the hex screws, etc. etc. Overall, we were very impressed with the T4 prototype, and we’re excited to move forward with this project. To ensure the items above get resolved, our incredible partners in Asia will be reviewing parts from a small Read More...

Brief #5: We’re Goin’, Goin’, Back, Back, To College

Across the country, 18-year-olds are leaving the comfort of their parents’ homes for the excitement of college campuses. And for Brief #5, Quirky’s coming with. This week’s challenge is simple: let’s come up with a rockin’ product for Back to College season. We sent intern Ruthea out into NYU to find out what the top troubles facing today’s college students are. See what they say in the following video: Now’s your chance to “school” Quirky in the art of improving dorm life. We’re keeping this brief open on purpose, so put your thinking caps on. Submissions are free, so send us your great idea today!

Introducing… Contort

Hey, we’re flexible folks. Why shouldn’t our USB drives be too? We see no reason. That’s why we developed Contort, now available in the new-and-improved Quirky store for a pre-sale price of $29.99 (MSRP: $34.99) and a threshold of 1650. Your USB thumb drive is just one accidental bump away from sending your valuable files into oblivion. Don’t fear; the Quirky Contort is here. Contort is a four-port USB hub and cord manager, with a flexible neck to protect all your USB devices from accidental damage. Features: Sturdy plastic hub with four easily accessible USB ports. Flexible TPE rubber neck, with 360-degree mobility. Built-in cord management, with four anchors to corral your cables. Expands to accommodate m Read More...

Quirky In Parade: This Isn’t A Cooking Class Or A Hipster Brunch

If you get a daily newspaper, you probably get Parade, the most widely read magazine in the U.S. (Readership? A whopping 71 MILLION.) Parade is included in most Sunday papers, so run (don’t walk) to your doorsteps and mailboxes this weekend to check us out. And for those of you who just. can’t. wait… here’s a sneak peek: Check out the super slideshow too.

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