Sharing Product Design Successes and Failures:
Here at Quick Source, I strongly encourage exploring innovative ideas, as you never know when you are on the brink of a revolutionary new product concept.
But sometimes, in the search for the next great product idea, you end up with something that’s just… “weird” for lack of a better description.
Although the initial product concept seemed promising, few of them were able to make it through the execution phase successfully to become a business.
I'll be sharing several product designs and my personal thoughts on what worked and what didn't. You'll gain a glimpse into my private coaching call discussions that identify product design opportunities that either succeed or fall short.
We’ll examine the issues that necessitated the creation of the product, as well as evaluating whether there is sufficient demand from consumers to justify its production.
It's important to remember that not every innovative idea will be successful, and that's okay. In fact, some of the greatest inventions started out as "weird" concepts. The key is to stay open-minded and persistent in your pursuit of the next big thing.
At Quick Source, you’ll learn that the execution phase is just as crucial as the initial idea. It's important to have a solid plan in place and to be prepared for any challenges that may arise.
In this brief product design analysis, I'll be sharing both successes and failures. It's important to learn from both in order to improve and grow as a creative business owner.
So, let's embrace the weird and keep pushing the boundaries of innovation. Who knows? The next great product idea may be just around the corner.
#1 Flashlight SLIPPERS The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Their Marketing: Remember all those times when you woke up for a glass of water in the middle of the night, too tired to turn the lights on, and then proceeded to crash your toe into the counter in the dark? The pain was numbing and you thought that nothing worse could ever happen to you. Well, you are not alone. There was a person who got so tired of it that the LED slippers came to life.
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: How do LED slippers work? Simple: When getting up during the night, put the slippers on and enjoy its benefits. The slippers automatically light your way and no corner will surprise you in the dark. You are free to walk, move and live. The light turns on by pressing the switch with your toes.
Product Pricing: $34.00-$38.00 SRP
In My Opinion: The creator's pitch seems to be more focused on dramatization rather than addressing a significant problem that would necessitate product development.
Product Success OR Failure?: LED slippers for adults can still be found on several online shops but the idea never really became a successful business.
Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: What I get from this is... The creator is targeting adults that want a glass of water at night as their ideal customer.
How big is that market? I don’t see this as a big opportunity.
Could they have targeted an older generation that wakes to use the bathroom multiple times at night and needs to be careful to avoid a fall?
Or maybe it’s for new moms wanting to check on their newborn at night and they don’t want to turn on the lights and wake a sleeping baby.
Do you see how these target consumers are a very specific niche AND a bigger opportunity to sell the reason for the product?
Product FAIL: Overall, I do not feel the adult market for LED Slippers is a viable business.
#2 The DogBrella!
SUCCESS OR FAIL? WHAT DO YOU THINK? The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Their Marketing: Don’t let the rain stop their walking. Daily walking is necessary for your dogs, but hard on rainy days. Protect them from rain, snow and wind.
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: An Umbrella for Dogs! The pet umbrella handle length can be stretched out and draw back. The dog walkers umbrella will cover your dog and keep them just as happy as on a sunny day, keeping them dry and comfortable.
Product Pricing: $14.00 - $24.00 SRP Amazon
In My Opinion: I’m a dog owner and I know for a fact many dogs HATE doing outside in the rain. It makes their bathroom time unproductive leaving their owners cleaning up a mess inside later.
Some challenges with this product is determining how many umbrella sizes you need to offer. The size of a dog and their length will depend on an umbrella being functional.
How many sizes would be needed to properly cover the market? Offering various sizes could become a challenge with moving inventory. The creators may want to do some research and if small dogs offer the biggest problem hating rain- then focus on the consumer of small breed dogs.
Another problem is the umbrella can become a scary distraction for the dog. I read a review that said: If your dog is afraid of the umbrella, you will need to encourage and train him/her repeatedly to get used to it. The consumer will need to decide if this is worth it and the creator must clearly address their product return policy.
Product Success OR Failure?: Although this is a creative solution for dog rain gear, I feel many dog owners will find it awkward to hold and maneuver on a walk.
How far does the umbrella extend compared to the leash length? It may work if the dog is directly in front of you, but I see this as another challenge in the functionality of this product.
Think about it, the human has their own umbrella in one hand, a leash in the other and now they need to hold the dogs umbrella too. That’s without mentioning the process of poopie bags and cleaning up after your dog. Lol... you need 4 hands to make this work. Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: The creator says... Special design for SMALL PETS which back length is less than 19 inches, such as Yorkie, Teddy, Pomeranian, Poodle and Cats etc.
Should the creator be targeting the dog breed or the human consumer need? This is a distinguishing difference as to how to market their product.
Product May Have Some Success: This umbrella is cute and great in theory but it falls short when trying to make a human solution, such as an umbrella, into a pet accessory. Plus, I think the real problem is Dogs will be terrified of the umbrella.
#3 PICNIC PANTS, yup you heard that right!
Nope, these were not inspired by MC Hammer, “can’t touch this” pants. I’m a child of the 80's- and I had a few pairs of those to wear at the disco rollerskating rink.
This product design is something all together different.
Picnic Pants by Acquacalda Design Claims They Make Eating an Easier Task. Okay, let’s see what exactly that means.
The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Obviously someone had a problem finding a table to use in public to eat their lunch and thought a fashion statement, turned functional table could be the solution. Let’s see...
Their Marketing: Picnic Pants allows you to have your meal anywhere. The item of clothing is made from a special fabric that stretches taut for your TV dinner or barbecue.
(Well, that's a head-scratcher of a statement!)
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: People usually stand up eating their hor d'oueurves and holding drinks while scheming for a seat; however, these Picnic Pants make it possible to eat comfortably in your own lap.
(Whoa, hold up! We went from couch potato TV dinners to a sizzling BBQ, but now we're dressing up in fancy pants for a hor d’oeuvre party? Talk about jumping all over the place!)
Product Pricing: Unfortunately, I could not obtain pricing information as the item is no longer available.
Product Success OR Failure?: It’s obvious, but let me say... nobody will anticipate a weird problem they may have later in the day and plan to dress in advance for that potential problem.
Did this person have to go home and put their weird picnic pants on then head out to the park to sit in and think “ah, this is perfect? I think not!
What happened to the idea of a simple picnic blanket?
Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: The creator says... People looking for a handy tool to have during events where seating is limited. An individual that wants to make a platform tray to hold their food by simply sitting down in a cross-legged position so the gray flap will stretch into a sturdy table. The consumer even has the convenience of pockets that will serve as drink holders.
Product FAIL: This is not an issue that calls for a product solution. The invention is simply a quirky and amusing creation that doesn't have a target market.
Plus, the pants are ugly and nobody will wear them.
There’s nothing more to say... It’s a FAIL!
#4 DIET BELT
The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Their Marketing: Fat loss is not measured by weight alone. If you’re working out, you might be adding weight while losing fat. Your scale can’t tell you that, though. But, the Diet Belt can.
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: Wear the diet belt to track the inches you lose through dieting or the inches you add through breaking that diet. For better or for worse this belt will tell you how your circumference is changing.
They say, unlike a significant other or friend who might wish to spare your feelings, the Diet Belt is as honest as it gets.
Product Pricing: I only found crafters making this item and offering instructions how to make it.
In My Opinion: A belt's sole purpose is to hold up your pants, not measure your waistline. Even if it were an effective method of measurement (which it is not), who would want to publicly showcase their waist width anyway?
Product Success OR Failure?: One of the first documented tape measures arrived on the scene in 1829. Measuring tapes have been available for hundreds of years in all shapes, sizes and materials.
Stick with that invention it was a huge success!
Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: Individuals Seeking Dietary Methods for Reducing Waistline.
Product FAIL: It’s just silly and a huge fail. There’s a measuring tape for that!
#5 HUG ME PILLOW... Also called the “Boyfriend Pillow”.
The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Their Marketing: Best sleeping bedmate for lonely people. Feel the hug of a real man without the snoring, smell, tossing or turning.
(I get immediate ICK Factor from that statement!)
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: Super Soft Body Pillow with Benefits. (To be honest, I'm not sure I want to know the ins and outs of the perks!)
Product Pricing: $34.95 SRP on Amazon
In My Opinion: This is a Gag Gift. It’s meant for humor and not for function.
Whether it’s a Boyfriend Pillow or a Companion Pillow, it can be a fun gag gift for a girlfriend as a Cuddle Buddy.
It's your call. But I warn you, gift it to her and risk her wrath. You know your friend best!
Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: A Humorous Gag Gift for Girlfriends.
Is the ideal customer demographic sizable enough to warrant pursuing this product? Do girlfriends buy gag gifts or do they see it as a waste of money?
It's a valid question to consider before investing time and resources into developing a product. In this case, a humorous gag gift for girlfriends could potentially appeal to a specific range of women who enjoy a good laugh and a playful gift.
Product FAIL: Honestly, this product is giving me the heebie-jeebies.
If a friend gave it to me as a joke, I'd still be side-eyeing them and asking, "What's the deal?" It’s just weird.
If I were you, I'd ditch this gift idea for your friend and find something way more awesome to spend your cash on.
#6 ONESIE MOP FOR ACTIVE BABIES
When it comes to new product ideas I can say that not all inventions change the world, some simply exist to make you wonder, how did someone come up with such a crazy invention?
The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Their Marketing: A busy mom doesn’t have time to clean the house when she’s nervous about keeping her eye on her crawling baby.
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: Put that 8 month old baby to work! This is for all those hyper-active parents who want to inculcate working habits in babies as soon as they are born. So, here’s introducing the Baby Mop that makes your kid learn the importance of work. (hmm, that's a bit odd. There must be a more creative way to market this without mentioning child labor. Let's put our thinking caps on and come up with a witty approach that doesn't cross any lines.)
Product Pricing: $13.00 - $19.00 SRP on Amazon
In My Opinion: Well, we can safely say that maybe it could serve it’s purpose or it can make a humorous baby shower gift. I believe it can make a fun selling point to the right target market. Try keeping it simple: Turn your baby into the cutest mop with this baby romper outfit! Your baby will mop the floor while crawling. Draw the attention to the Products Benefits: Crawling is an effective workout to burn off energy and tone body muscle, your baby will become stronger and healthier while mopping.
Product Success OR Failure?: The problem at hand is certainly real, but the concept of putting a baby to work missed the mark. However, the idea itself is still promising and presents a fun and innovative solution.
Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: The market of busy mothers with infants is quite extensive, making it a promising target audience. However, it's also worth considering the secondary target market - friends and family purchasing gifts for new parents. This expands the potential reach of your product or service.
Product Success: This is a cute and funny baby shower gift. Great for casual daily wear or as a funny costume for new crawlers.
#7 SCOOTER & BABY STROLLER ALL IN ONE!
The abundance of online versions of this product idea is both astonishing and fascinating, piquing my curiosity to learn more about this invention.
The Problem: (This is the creators reasoning for developing the product.) Their Marketing: Walking through the city with a stroller can be a slow and inefficient way to travel with your baby or toddler.
The Product Solution: (This is the solution the creator found for the problem they addressed.) Their Marketing: Get your child hooked on adrenaline rushes from an early age with some crazy downhill rides on the longboard baby stroller.
This radical stroller will keep your baby safe and comfy as they experience the thrill of whizzing down the street at dangerous speeds.
(What in the world! Who penned that last line? ... It wasn’t a smart business owner- THAT’S FOR SURE!)
Product Pricing: $400.00 - $800.00 SRP
In My Opinion:
The line between crazy and ingenious is often a very thin one, and sometimes ideas for products that sound great in your head should really only stay there.
On the other hand, there are everyday problems we all face, without viable solutions and new inventions that could solve them for us.
So maybe, just maybe, one of the many versions of this invention out there could actually prove to be useful with time, even if in the beginning they sound plain ridiculous?
Product Success OR Failure?: It’s novel, fun and expensive.
That combination is usually not successful.
When it comes to product success, novelty and fun are often not enough to ensure long-term success.
While these characteristics may attract initial interest and generate buzz, they do not always translate into sustained sales. Additionally, when a product is expensive, it may be out of reach for many potential customers, limiting its market appeal.
Is The IDEAL Customer a Big Enough Audience: I see the ideal customer as an Urban-dwelling Parents with Small Children Commuting without a Car.
The Risks of Marketing Baby Strollers as "Thrill-Seeking" Products is a concern.
While some versions of baby stroller-scooters are being advertised as "thrill-seeking", I believe that the safety of baby products should be the top priority.
It is crucial to consider potential safety issues, and marketing strollers as such could put infants in harm's way due to the actions of adventurous parents. This is a recipe for disaster.
Product Potential for Success: To truly succeed, a product must offer both novelty and value, providing something new and exciting while also meeting a need or desire in a way that is accessible and affordable for consumers.
Given the quality and safety concerns for infants are effectively addressed, parents residing in urban areas may find this product appealing if the pricing is reasonable.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I'm sure you've heard the saying that there's a thin line between genius and insanity. The same can be said for product designs and new ideas.
Some inventions that may seem strange or laughable at first glance have actually become highly successful, while some clever product designs go unnoticed, leaving their creators with nothing but crushed hopes and empty wallets.
While some of the products mentioned above may seem silly, there is potential in each idea. Even those that missed the mark could be closer to a big idea than their creators imagined.
It's important to remember that every new product idea has the potential to become a successful business concept. The key is to explore, research, and evaluate the product's potential for success by working out its design features and benefits.
As the old saying goes, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take!"
Innovation requires taking chances, and as a product designer, you can't be too afraid to do so.
It's common to reject our own creative ideas before even exploring the possibilities of the next big thing in product design.
Instead, take a chance and try to solve a real problem with an innovative product design that consumers truly want or need.
Let's unlock your creativity and see what you can achieve.
At Quick Source I value every product idea and encourage innovative thinking through IDEA MAPPING Techniques. If this intrigues you, check out my self guided workshop for people that have an idea and need to work it out on paper to see its true potential.
You can trust I have the experience and knowledge you are looking for. If you don’t know me by now, pop over here, and see how my 3 decades of creative product development has built millions in sales for so many companies that I have had the pleasure of working with.
I am VERY familiar with all the challenges of building and growing a physical product based business.
Consider me, Christine at QuickSource.co, as your year round creative business stimulator providing you insight and pro tips that will truly make a positive impact in your day to day tasks as well as the growth of your overall business.
I hope you found this helpful. Please LEAVE A COMMENT so we all grow.
It's time to show your products to the world!
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