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I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

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Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#331

Post by adolph »

Zanni wrote: post #63

I came across the Kickstarter [1] for this as a Facebook ad and passed over it for all the reasons folks are citing below. Folding hanger? What's the use case? But watching the video, she's really put a lot of thought into this. The system with the paired rod is pretty slick. I love the notches for keeping the hangers spaced. This solves a problem not everyone has (not me, for instance--I have full-size closets), but…

> Folding hanger? What's the use case?

Anyone who watched the first Indiana Jones film knows how sinister and awesome folding hangers are.

The use case is to be so prepared in life you have one in your leather trench coat to hang it up like a civilized person.

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#332

Post by [deleted] »

konschubert wrote: post #221
fxtentacle wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To me, this really shows that marketing is now the most crucial skill. It has become easy and affordable to design products, the process is now almost fully commodified with all those OEM and production services. The only thing that now stands between your idea and financial success is your ability to reach the target market, i.e. marketing. Also, such a slick KickStarter campaign typically costs $10k plus ad spend i…

Making a product, certifying it and making sure it’s safe is also hard. But marketing is extremely important and it’s just a very different skill than tech. I make these epaper calendar displays. https://shop.invisible-computers.com I have invested thousands of hours into making them as good as possible. You couldn’t tell from my website :D I would probably profit much more if I just stopped improving them and focuse…

[deleted]

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#333

Post by mgaunard »

cricalix wrote: post #317
mgaunard wrote: post #305

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For that price I can purchase 3 Google home smart displays which do all this and more. I guess the main advantage would be always-on with little to no power consumption, but all your pictures still have cables.

You're comparing the output of a small business with a multinational behemoth that has the advantages in procurement and manufacturing due to volume. What's the point of making that comparison and effectively negging someone's work?

People buy products based on the value proposition of those products, not because they are hippies that want to support independent technology makers.

I don't understand why factual statement and reality checks get modded down; this is just plain denial.

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#334

Post by polski-g »

user3939382 wrote: post #75
Zanni wrote: post #63

I came across the Kickstarter [1] for this as a Facebook ad and passed over it for all the reasons folks are citing below. Folding hanger? What's the use case? But watching the video, she's really put a lot of thought into this. The system with the paired rod is pretty slick. I love the notches for keeping the hangers spaced. This solves a problem not everyone has (not me, for instance--I have full-size closets), but…

Cue the low-quality foreign made knock off branded as “Amazon’s Choice” in 3… 2…

If she has a patent, she can sue not only Amazon, but purchasers of the product as well.

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#337

Post by mgoetzke »

konschubert wrote: post #223
jackdoe wrote: post #181

I just love the maker's mind. > I want something that does not exist, I will make it. Making things has never been so accessible, if you don't know how to start, join a community and ask, if they are hostile, just ask chatgpt and start from there. 3d printers are 200$, esp32 is the same cost as arduino nano. Want to make AI things? Make them. Want to make coat hangers? Make them. Want to make a book stand? Make it. I…

I think the best ideas come when you make something that you really want for yourself. In 2020, I really wanted an eink calendar to hang on my wall. Still, many people built one for themselves and never turned it into a commercial product. It’s a lot of work and some of it is boring. And you have to pay for certification and worry about all that paperwork that comes with a business. It took me 3 years: https://shop.i…

Funny . i built something quite similar and many others I am sure too. World is pretty good today. BTW your price is very good, the screen and battery itself is quite expensive already for me (two color e-paper)

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#338

Post by taneq »

jackdoe wrote: post #181

I just love the maker's mind. > I want something that does not exist, I will make it. Making things has never been so accessible, if you don't know how to start, join a community and ask, if they are hostile, just ask chatgpt and start from there. 3d printers are 200$, esp32 is the same cost as arduino nano. Want to make AI things? Make them. Want to make coat hangers? Make them. Want to make a book stand? Make it. I…

> As David Lynch says, ideas are very quiet, you have to learn how to listen, so far I have not heard one, but maybe some day..

If that's your experience, either you're lucky, or just wait, or both. They're loud, and they keep coming faster and faster, and ideas beget ideas. You need a solid mental wall to protect yourself from them.

Edit: *you're

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#339

Post by BurningFrog »

spaceman_2020 wrote: post #79
user3939382 wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cue the low-quality foreign made knock off branded as “Amazon’s Choice” in 3… 2…

And then the copies of the Chinese copies from Amazon itself… It’s theft all the way down

"Design wants to be free"

Re: I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger [video]

#340

Post by good8675309 »

Ah, the classic side quest into a seemingly useless project - I can relate. Spending three years on a coat hanger sounds just like the kind of rabbit hole I'd fall into. It's usually more about the journey and scratching that itch than the end product. But turning it into a business? Now that's impressive. Most of my hyperfocus side quests end up as forgotten userscripts or abandoned github projects. Kudos to her for not only sticking with it but also turning it into something tangible and potentially profitable!
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