Welcome to the digital revolution. A time where data and analytics surround us. Doesn’t reminisce of a simpler time of sepia tone photos, hand-written letters and analog clocks make you just “feel all the feels.” Which explains why there’s been an increased fascination with products that aren’t a regular part of the digital world. Working with our clients Charlene and Pauline Webb, we patented, designed and prototyped an educational piece for children that transforms dinner time into incidental learning time. All through the creation of a clock plate.
The Product Inspiration:
Our clients are both brilliantly dedicated school teachers molding the minds of the leaders of tomorrow. After realizing a few of their young students were struggling to grasp abstract concepts such as money, time, and fractions, an idea came to them. “Perhaps we could move forward by looking back using the face of an analog clock as an educational piece,” says Charline Webb, co-creator of the clock plate. They knew they had to speak with MAKO for patenting assistance and prototype design.
The Prototype Design:
The brilliantly simple design is our philosophy at MAKO. We like to make clever simple and simple clever. While the product’s concept was inspired by the analog clock, we knew it had to be unique and distinctive for prototype design and patents. Our designers raised the numbers around the plate for a distinguished appearance and touch. On the base, 4 silicone feet prevent it from slipping or moving while the outer edges feature a lip so it’s easily stack-able and prevents spills. The BPA free dish is dishwasher friendly so it can be washed and used for every dinner. There you have it: the product finalized, the patent submitted and the prototype design is born.
The Clock Plate for Learning:
By viewing and gaining awareness of the numbers on the clock, children can intentionally and incidentally learn number sequencing, fractions, simple math and much more. Providing a visual, concrete tool allows teachers to explain abstract concepts and children to grasp math in a more relevant way. We can’t wait to see Ms. Webb’s class crunching numbers after this!
About: MAKO Design + Invent is the original firm providing world-class consumer product development services tailored to startups, small manufacturers, and inventors. Simply put, we are the leading one-stop-shop for developing your physical product from idea to store shelves, all in a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely manner. We operate as one powerhouse 30-person product design team spread across 4 offices to serve you (Austin, Miami, San Francisco, & Toronto). We have full-stack in-house industrial design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, patent referral, prototyping, and manufacturing services. To assist our startup and inventor clients, in addition to above, we help with business strategy, product strategy, marketing, and sales/distribution for all consumer product categories. Also, our founder Kevin Mako hosts The Product Startup Podcast, the industry's leading hardware podcast. Check it out for tips, interviews, and best practices for hardware startups, inventors, and product developers. Click HERE to learn more about MAKO Design + Invent!
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