Sex toy design process Archives

Designing for availability

The march of digitalisation continues but like an army which can only march on its stomach, can digitalisation sustain itself? We are learning of more restrictions placed on microchip exports. These are only adding to the shortage problem that has been affecting the electronics industry for some time.

Even before the covid pandemic, a global shortage of semiconductors was making life difficult for those of us involved in new product development, never mind everyone else in manufacturing!

Semiconductors are used in everything from mobile phones to military equipment; essentially any digital product requires semiconductors. The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated this problem and created the perfect storm with the closure of factories and the demand for technology increasing massively due to more people home working and home educating. Now everyone is catching up and those with deeper pockets are, quite frankly, being selfish and buying out everything they can get their hands on.

The result of this perfect storm has affected the availability of other components as well and created huge supply chain disruptions for manufacturers and new challenges within new product development.

It’s not all doom and gloom. At Sated Design we will work with electronics designers to consider the use of alternative components and then facilitate a clean implementation. By looking again at a product specification and asking the right questions it is possible to move forward and in some cases have increased functionality for the end user.

At Sated Design we have the knowledge and experience to support you as you adapt to an unstable parts market and help you make the best of a difficult situation. If you’d like to talk to us about how we can help, please get in touch.

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A New Year, A New Idea

Welcome to 2023! It’s a New Year full of opportunity and that often results in many of us looking to make something of that great idea we have been thinking about. At this time of year we always receive an increase in enquiries from Private Inventors. The ‘new year, new start’ mentality often spurs people on but it is easy to be swept up in the excitement and to count those chickens before they hatch so it might be interesting to share the way we approach these enquiries.

We work on the premise that every idea is a good idea until we learn otherwise. We know that most private inventors are unfamiliar with the process of turning an idea in to a product and we support them in an honest and fair way to manage their expectations and set out the journey they need to undertake along with the risks for their hard-earned money. Success is never guaranteed but the chances of success are higher if you understand the snakes and ladders of the ‘game’. With over a thousand products designed and millions of products successfully manufactured we have played and won the ‘game’ a few times now!

Here are 4 ways in which working with us can help:

Feasibility Studies & Risk Assessments
It is a really good idea to determine if your idea is do-able. A risk assessment allows you to demonstrate that you have fulfilled your obligation to sell a safe product. A feasibility study can help you define your product design specification and identify commercial factors that are key to every product such as standards and conformity.
Protecting your idea
Any initial discussions about your idea must be protected with Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). Crucially your ideas and claims should be protected as Intellectual Property (IP). We have excellent links with trusted and experienced IP Attorneys in several specialisms who work with us to advise you and to help you establish the IP landscape around your claims before securing the right protection.
Developing a Prototype
Prototypes are an intrinsic part of the development process. They enable testing of the design, market activity and consumer feedback before you make big financial commitments. We have experience of a huge range of prototyping techniques, many of which can be offered through our own in-house workshop, helping to manage your costs and protect IP.
Manufacturing
Whatever your budgets we will work very closely with you and the manufacturing partners to determine the optimum manufacturing solutions to deliver your project.

Contact us today and start your new year, new idea journey!

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Carbon Neutrality & Net Zero in Adult Toy Design

Last week, we questioned in an article whether a product should always be designed, even if it serves little or no purpose? The answer, at least from this camp, is a resounding no!

A core part of the ethos of Sated Design is to question from the outset of any new project, is this adult toy product right? Will it serve its purpose? Will it be made with the right materials? Naturally these questions will help lead us to consider becoming Carbon Neutral and reaching Net Zero.

We are all hearing about the importance of being carbon neutral and meeting the target for net zero emissions but in order to understand and to implement strategies effectively we need to know what these terms actually mean. Designers in all disciplines have a critical role to play in the journey to becoming a Net Zero society.

So what can we do?

We have created a new video presentation to consider Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero in adult toy design to help consider this question. This includes 10 practical steps, we as a business, our clients and colleagues can take towards achieving Net Zero.

WATCH IT NOW

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Should a product always be designed?

We receive all sorts of requests for assistance from potential clients looking to develop new products. The majority of these are clearly considered and well thought out, but just occasionally we get inappropriate ideas for new products and a handful that have been truly alarming and quite dangerous to contemplate!

At least we, as responsible product designers, can filter those out but our world is littered with examples of products that should never exist. Pointless products, unsafe products, irresponsible products and badly conceived products. The list is endless but at some point there was a designer and manufacturer who was part of the process. It’s tempting to think that those involved cannot have looked at anything other than the profit they would have made by bringing these to market.

We are all plagued by products becoming obsolete. Some of this is necessary but much of it is deliberately planned to force a new purchase. This inevitably results in huge amounts of resources going to waste and new resources being consumed to continue the merry go around.

How can it be fair on all of us and the planet to squander such valuable resources?

It seems to us that quite often a good idea is not always a good idea if it gets challenged using real world values.

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UKCA – Countdown to compliance

The UKCA mark applies to most goods that previously required a CE mark. In April last year, our sister company Hillside Product Design published an article about the new UKCA mark which came into effect on 1st January 2021. According to Government requirements, many businesses would still be able to use the CE marking until 1st January 2022 to allow them time to adjust to the new UKCA.

At the start of 2022 the UKCA marking must be present at least as a label affixed to the product or an accompanying document. From 1st Jan 2023 UKCA marking must comply with specific regulations that apply to the product.

This all sounds pretty straightforward; you would think, however concerningly, there appears to be a lack of understanding, or even knowledge of this requirement with many of the UK-based manufacturers we are speaking to. This suggests that come next year this is potentially going to be a problem for any who did not comply.

The new UKCA is a legal compliance, therefore markings must be appropriately displayed with newly manufactured products by the start of next year. With a deadline of less than 8 months away this could easily catch many manufacturers on their back foot.

UKCA marks must conform to certain size requirements. This means manufacturers will need to find space to integrate the new UKCA mark. As this is a compliance requirement, manufacturers have no choice but to do this and yet potentially this is going to cost a lot of money and, even more worryingly, a lot of time and inconvenience to implement.

There is frustration at this new legislation with some questioning whether the new UKCA is really necessary. Our position is that this is a regulation and will therefore need to be adhered to. Our advice is to address this early on and make adjustments that meet requirements.

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World IP Day

Intellectual Property Protection (IPP) legally identifies the originator and owner of your idea and gives you exclusive rights to exploit it. In the simplest terms, if you are unable to legally protect your new product or choose not to protect it, then competitors could not be prevented from copying all your hard work!

The adult toy industry is notorious for unscrupulously copying great ideas. Both securing effective IPP and taking swift and aggressive action to stomp out copy cats are both crucial to maintaining your competitive edge.

Tuesday 26th April marks World IP Day so in celebration of this fact, we have compiled a list of our Top 5 Tips for protecting your New Product Development (NPD).

Keep the secret
It is important that the early stages of a project are kept as secret as possible, until you have suitable Intellectual Property (IP) measures in place. Releasing details of your idea into the public domain (which includes your friends) without protection may jeopardise the chances of your IPP applications being granted.
Non-Disclosure
If you need to discuss your idea with anyone, such as a supplier, use a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) document to ensure that all parties understand their obligations to keep the discussions secret.
Research, Research, Research
Research existing product and patents using internet search engines and patent databases. There are many free patent databases that you can use to carry out your own searching, but professional patent searches and patent attorneys who specialise in such services will almost certainly dig deeper and could find documents that are more relevant than those found by a novice searcher.
Utilise the expertise of others
A design consultancy team like Sated Design will help you explore the idea and identify where the novel elements of the design might be. The designers can help with providing descriptions of claims and supporting illustrations which will reduce your search and filing fees significantly.
Get professional help
When you are confident you have established what the main strengths of your idea are then you should investigate the best form of IPP. Attempting a DIY IPP is not the best approach and can do more harm than good. There are a number of ways to protect the intellectual property of your idea and we recommend that you speak with an IPP expert such as a Patent Attorney.

At Sated Design we have excellent links with trusted and experienced IP attorneys in several specialisms who can help you to gain the right protection. We have established clear working protocols that enable them to offer our clients favourable, fixed cost structures by keeping their involvement focused in key areas and at key stages in the NPD process. It has been our experience that even when allowing for the costs attributed to these services, our clients still save themselves time and money in the long run.

You can find out more in our company Information Pack. Contact us now to get your copy.

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The Power of Prototyping

Providing a link between a world of virtual design and real life, a prototype is a vital way of testing designs. 2D images do have a place in the designing process but there is no substitute for holding something tangible in your hand. The prototype offers extremely high levels of accuracy and intricacy, this paired with modern prototyping techniques such as stereolithography (‘growing’ parts out of laser cured resin) can provide stunning results.

For a product design consultancy, a prototype is a preliminary version of a product which can be used for testing and evaluation – this can be to gain client approval on form and feel of the product, or to inform the designer of necessary adjustments to mechanisms or tolerances on parts that fit together.

The prototype can also help stake-holders to make the best decisions for the project, so that the design can be optimised as part of its development journey leading to manufacture and launch. It is therefore important to set out the purpose for the prototype as this is key to how a prototype should be prepared.

At some point a human being will interact with a product. The sooner that user interface is evaluated, then the better that interaction can be. It is impossible to overstate how important prototyping is to ensuring an effective product design and development process, delivering the optimum results and a great end-user experience.

Here at Sated Design we have a large catalogue of external suppliers for all manner of prototyping services and an in-house prototyping capability, enabling our expert model-makers to produce high-quality prototypes with fast turnarounds.

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Q&A with Louise for International Women’s Day 2022

International Women’s Day falls on the 8th March each year. Its purpose is to celebrate the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women around the globe. In recognition of International Women’s Day 2022, we’re talking to Louise Beard, our Business Manager about her career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), an industry where historically, women are underrepresented.

Can you tell us a bit about Sated Design and your role within the company?
“Sated Design is a name used for marketing the specific expertise of Hillside Product Design Ltd, in designing adult pleasure products and toys. Hillside is a consultancy specialised in helping companies develop and engineer innovative and successful products. We can help you get your new or updated product to market by working with you on product conception, engineering, prototyping and production.

Good design can help solve problems with existing products and give old product ranges a new lease of life as well as help you create a brand new product.

I am the Business Manager and I have a very varied role within the company. I am primarily responsible for the accounting, payroll and administration side of the business and that means I do everything from payroll and invoicing to ordering materials for the making of prototypes, however I also take part in brainstorming, testing, prototype building and other areas of the business as and when needed. The ‘non design’ staff within the business can have an input into the design process with ideas and review throughout the concept to prototype stages”.

How important is it do you think to have female representation within product design and engineering?
“I think it is essential to have a female viewpoint into design and engineering. If being involved in this world has taught me anything over the last 30 years, it is that men and women often have different ideas as to how things work and how they should be used. These differences may not always be particularly big or noticeable but they do exist and a slightly different way of coming at things usually leads to a more rounded product that will suit its targeted audience”.

How can the STEM sector be made to be more attractive to women as a career?
“I think it needs to be pushed more in schools. Right down to primary school level, where girls can and should be told that engineering and scientific roles are as open to girls as they are to boys. Education has come a long way since I was at school and girls were not allowed to play rugby or football or do metalwork or woodwork. Girls were pushed into needlework and cookery and whilst those are admirable things, it didn’t give girls of my generation any idea that could do these things and be very good at them! Lets catch girls early and let them know that STEM subjects can be fun and can lead to amazing career choices!”

Do you do anything to promote STEM outside of business as well as inside it?
“I am, or have been, a member of a lot of local/national bodies such as Traders Associations and the FSB and I am always pushing for females in business, in general and in STEM businesses in particular, to stand up and be counted!!! I am a fervent believer that women have an equal ability, role, passion and competence within this world and we need to shout loud about it and bring in the next generations. We need to tell our young girls and women that they are capable, welcome and wanted in what has been seen in the past as more male dominated spheres of work”.

What are your hopes and dream for the future?
“I would like to see far more women realising that they have got what it takes to succeed in STEM, to succeed in the workplace and to succeed in the traditionally male dominated areas of work and to rise within their chosen fields.

Things have improved hugely in the 30 years I have been business but we still have a way to go – and we women are the people to take it there!”

You can follow Louise on LinkedIn

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Season’s Greetings from Sated Design

And so we say goodbye to another year. During last year’s greeting we were hoping that the worst was behind us and so it was but like many other businesses we are not totally free of the repercussions and ravages of Covid 19. This has the makings of a story that will go on for a long time with ever more twists and turns like a rubbish TV serial way past its switch off date!

Despite these challenges, we as a business continue to adapt to new ways of working and have remained on hand to support our clients at every step.

Sated’s Director Chris Howsam says “The resilience of our business community continues to be tested but it is determined to move forward by adapting to every twist and turn of the plot whilst acting in the best interests of its employees and customers. This has been a challenge we and many other businesses have faced and overcome. So, this year we should say thank you to those who have supporting our decisions, good and bad as we get through to the other side.”

“I wish all of our clients and colleagues a safe and restful break over the holidays. I feel sure that 2022 will see new energy, new ideas and new success, so let’s look forward to that as 2021 draws to a close.”

If you would like to embark on a new product development in 2022, we’d be delighted to hear more about it. Contact us today to start your project.

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How much do our sex lives impact on climate change?

The adult toy industry is estimated to be worth £36.1 billion by 2027 and encompasses electronic products, clothing, lubricants and contraceptives within its remit. All of these products will have a carbon footprint and an impact on climate change. Clearly some more than others – 10 million latex condoms are reportedly manufactured each year and disposed of in landfill after a single use. Many water-based or organic lubricants cannot be used with most condoms because of the risks of breakages.

So there lies a problem. Being responsible and protecting ourselves (i.e. using proper methods of contraception) can be in direct conflict with protecting our planet. The environmental costs of contraception will need to be off-set but it is our choice as a consumer if and how we choose to do this. For example, pledging a meat-free day, walking instead of using the car, showering instead of using the bath can all act as carbon offsets in exchange for our extracurricular activity!

Many pleasure product manufacturers are now considering ethical design – rechargeable toys and ethically made lingerie now feature in the majority of online and bricks and mortar retail outlets. Manufacturing poorly designed and poorly made novelty products is not justified. Not only does this damage the reputation of our industry but these products are manufactured waste products that shamefully clog up the planet.

We touched on the latest ISO 3533 safety standards for sex toys in our last article. Although voluntary, these standards will help set a quality bar within the industry.

At Sated Design, we can do our bit by ensuring that every product we design has a purpose and is designed with quality and longevity in mind. We invite our clients to think about the bigger picture too through their innovation.

It isn’t always possible to do the best thing for our planet in order to protect our own selves, however by being design savvy and off setting with ethical consideration we will go a way towards reducing our carbon footprint.

If you have an idea for a new adult toy or wish to review a current one we’d be happy to discuss this with you. Contact us today.

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