A list of steps to turn your new invention idea into a successful product
Inventions and discoveries don’t just happen. Although in many stories about famous inventors the lightbulb moments are described as coming out of nowhere, usually only part of the story is being told. It’s true that a lot of ideas and groundbreaking innovations are inspired by a seemingly random series of events, but the journey to fully materializing those ideas almost always requires creative thinking and persistent efforts over a period of time.
Whether your ideas are about creating a new product or improving an already existing design, you’ll find it easier to market and sell your invention after you’ve turned it into a physical object. If your products are digital – such as a mobile application, website, computer program, or digital service – at least provide a sample that your potential customers can try. Keep in mind that the whole process from the point when the initial idea is thought of to its materialization may involve a lot of paperwork too. You need to get the proper documentation and file a patent for your invention.
The prospect of turning an innovative idea into a product is financially promising, but the amount of work required to make it happen can be quite intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before and if you’re also focused on other areas of your job. To make it easier for you to understand what’s necessary, here are 10 steps you’ll need to follow to turn your idea into an new invention design.
1. Documentation of Your Idea
Having a bright idea and the motivation to turn it into a reality can create a lot of excitement, but don’t forget to write down your plans in an organized way. Take note of everything related to the idea, for example the background, inspiration, what the product will look like, your intended design approach, a set of features or functions the product should offer, your target market, materials, colors, textures, estimated manufacturing costs, marketing strategy, retail price, etc. Think of it as a record of your brainstorming process; the plans can always change as you progress.
Make sure wherever you keep your notes, the pages are properly numbered and cannot be removed or reinserted without noticeable damage. The point is to give credibility to the notes, assuming there are no lost or missing pages. If possible, ask a reliable witness to sign the journal. Remember to write clearly how you came up with the idea and all the consecutive processes that followed so far.
2. Comparison and Competition
Do your due diligence and check for any product in the market that might be similar to your idea. Just because two products appear similar, however, doesn’t mean they’re actually the same. Do an online patent search in the USPTO website. It’s easy to use and free. You can only file a patent for something that doesn’t already exist or hasn’t been patented before. Proceed to the next step if you think you have a chance of acquiring the patent for your product. If you need help filing a patent, one of our patent expert freelancers can help you out.
3. Product Research
Researching your new product prototype usually involves the following:
- An invention has very little, if any, monetary value unless it’s marketable. There are some simple “informal” methods to figure out if your product will appeal to your target market.
- Consult your family and friends
- Have informal interviews with store owners and customers
- Talk to people or students knowledgeable about your product market
Keep in mind that your relatives and friends may be biased toward the idea because they want you to succeed. Even if they promise to buy the product once it’s available, you can’t rely on your friends and family to support your venture alone. Strangers you meet in chain stores may not be as biased, but you should not base your sales expectations solely on what they think. This is why professional evaluation is necessary. Take the time and effort to consult several people who are experts about the product, if you can.
In addition to getting reliable insights into marketability, you also need to know whether your idea is realistically possible. If your idea is about designing a car engine with only six and a half cylinders, you’ll need to talk to a professional mechanic. If you want to make a jacket that features an electric massager or a stove that doubles as a media player, make sure to consult electricians beforehand.
4. Evaluate Your Idea
To understand whether your idea has the potential to succeed in the market, use PIES (Preliminary Invention Evaluation System). Some universities offer this kind of evaluation for a small fee. Check your local universities to see if the institution provides the service. Otherwise, do a search online to find one that does. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has a long list of info on where to get help. The PIES evaluates your idea/product to determine its market and financial value based on dozens of data points. In most cases, the evaluation doesn’t require you to submit a prototype as the system is designed to work at the idea stage. The evaluation system assists with:
- Identifying whether the product/idea is worthy of further development.
- Pinpointing errors and other areas which require immediate attention.
- Acquiring feedback from potential end users.
- Determining marketing strategies.
There are eight categories to evaluate including market acceptance, social impact, demand analysis, business risk, possible market issues, commercialization strategies, competitive criteria, and experience factors.
5. Revision and Redesign
Based on the research and analysis steps mentioned earlier, do a follow up by addressing possible flaws in the design. Make some refinements to make your idea even better. If need be, submit the revised idea for a re-evaluation with the PIES.
6. Prototyping
Once you’re sure the idea is executable, build a fully functional sample of the product. There’s always a chance that the theories you wrote down in your notes won’t work as expected when they’re put to the real-life test. The main purpose of a prototype is to give you a chance to do a test run with your product. Having a prototype that you can actually hold and use will help you identify any flaws in the design before you file a patent for it. The most common approaches in prototyping are:
- Start with a simple hand drawing. Sketch the idea (no matter how rudimentary the sketches are) to include all the basic facts, working principles, design formula, or methods.
- Create a 3D model of the design. If you need professional help, Cad Crowd offers many 3D modeling services.
- If a 3D model isn’t feasible, make a computer animated prototype instead.
The blog post 10 Tips for Good Product Design is also a good starting point for more info.
7. Patenting
Consider hiring a licensed patent attorney to help you write professional patent application that describes every single detail of your invention. Although you may not need a patent attorney until you have a working prototype, it is always best to hire one if you come across any procedure (evaluation, building a prototype, etc) that requires a non-disclosure agreement.
Only hire a patent attorney registered with the USPTO (if you live in the U.S.) or the equivalent administration office in your country. All of the freelance patent attorneys available for you on Cad Crowd are registered with the USPTO. A professional patent attorney handles all the works related to filing a patent including the research and application processes. Talk with multiple attorneys to compare services and fees and check out our patent application FAQ for more info.
8. Filing your Patent
Even if you have no intention to commercialize your invention, having a patent helps prevent someone else from copying or stealing your idea. While you can fill out a patent application without attorney, it’s always best to have the application checked by one prior to submitting. Patent law is unfortunately not a very-friendly area of the law. You can’t just file a patent for anything; there’s a myriad of rules and statutes to comply with, so hiring a patent attorney to handle the job is almost always the right decision. The attorney will also make sure that your patent doesn’t infringe any existing one. If you don’t have a strong patent application, your competitors might find loopholes to file a competing patent. Avoid potentially costly legal problems in the future by doing it right the first time.
9. Market Testing to Consumers
Now that you have a patent for your new consumer product design, you shouldn’t have any concern that someone will steal your idea even after the product is released into the market. Take a look at your notes to reassess your target consumer and perform a market test on them. Of course this means you’ll need to manufacture a small batch of products and handle the distribution, which you’ll have to swallow the cost of. Small production orders are often more expensive to produce, so keep this in mind. Remember that this is just a test and not a long-term business plan. Overall market response and consumer feedback will help you determine whether you need to continue with large-scale production.
10. Market Testing to Manufacturers
You can either license the product to an established company or collaborate with a manufacturer to do the production process as a team. The latter is more financially promising, but it also means you’re directly involved in the process. You’ll need to invest money to achieve greater returns. For consumer products, you may have to consider the pros and cons of manufacturing in China or other locations. On the other hand, while licensing relieves you of possible financial burden you can still earn money from sales, albeit a smaller percentage. If your product succeeds in the market, you’ll get a steady flow of income simply from having an idea.
From the time you come up with an idea to the point where it becomes a fully functioning product, there is a series of steps to follow. The process may not be the fastest or easiest, but it ensures you get all the credit for the invention and any financial benefits that may result from its production. Most inventions and great products take years to develop. If you fail the first time you try, stay creative and keep improving your idea for when the next opportunity comes along.
Although there are many steps in the product creation process, Cad Crowd can help you along the way. Whether you need assistance with designing your product, with filing your patent, or creating a prototype, we have expert freelancers around the world that are ready to turn your dream into a reality.
Tell us a little bit about your idea and what you need help with and we’ll give you a free, no obligation quote.