Just a little bit of context, we are given coursework (a Non-exam Assessment - NEA) here in the UK for our GCSEs, to make a product that fits into one of three contexts: providing a safe and comfortable home; a high-profile activity or occasion; working towards a sustainable future. We are required to create a shopping list of components necessary to manufacture our product, the school's Design and Technology department is given some money to fund the parts we need to make our product. I've decided to use this as an opportunity to create a prototype of a product that I will eventually sell in the future, building a brand/company out of.
I've thought of creating a smart desk lamp, not necessarily a need but a want. The idea came about when I had wanted to charge my phone on my desk, the charging wire kept getting caught when I tried to check something while studying and I muttered, "I wish this lamp's base had a wireless charger". Wireless charging seems a better option as you are only taking your phone off charge momentarily to check it, but the problem is, they seem to take a lot of space on your desk. So why not build a wireless charging pad within the base of the desk lamp, which doesn't take up space at all, except for the area the desk lamp already uses.
I believe I can make this a superior product by skewing the right value attributes in comparison to traditional desk lamps (offers for students, warranty, HQ photos, video tutorials etc.) I think the best way to market this product would be to create a brand out of it (e.g. Casper) through social media. After evaluating the idea on Grade My Business Idea (Thank You MJ for this useful tool), here, The Smart Desk Lamp, I have decided to pursue this idea. To find the needs and wants of my product, I went on to Amazon, found similar products to mine with the most reviews and read most reviews with 4 stars and below, to see which product functions people wanted.
I've written this post to ask, "If you were creating a new business, would you follow through with this idea?" and if so, what attributes would you want in a desk lamp? This is a vital part of the coursework, and it would be much appreciated if someone could offer some criticism, functions you would desire in a desk lamp, problems you have with your current desk lamp or functions you wished your current lamp acquired. Here are some examples of functions for reference: a weighted base, 360° rotating arm, ambidexterity etc.
I've thought of creating a smart desk lamp, not necessarily a need but a want. The idea came about when I had wanted to charge my phone on my desk, the charging wire kept getting caught when I tried to check something while studying and I muttered, "I wish this lamp's base had a wireless charger". Wireless charging seems a better option as you are only taking your phone off charge momentarily to check it, but the problem is, they seem to take a lot of space on your desk. So why not build a wireless charging pad within the base of the desk lamp, which doesn't take up space at all, except for the area the desk lamp already uses.
I believe I can make this a superior product by skewing the right value attributes in comparison to traditional desk lamps (offers for students, warranty, HQ photos, video tutorials etc.) I think the best way to market this product would be to create a brand out of it (e.g. Casper) through social media. After evaluating the idea on Grade My Business Idea (Thank You MJ for this useful tool), here, The Smart Desk Lamp, I have decided to pursue this idea. To find the needs and wants of my product, I went on to Amazon, found similar products to mine with the most reviews and read most reviews with 4 stars and below, to see which product functions people wanted.
I've written this post to ask, "If you were creating a new business, would you follow through with this idea?" and if so, what attributes would you want in a desk lamp? This is a vital part of the coursework, and it would be much appreciated if someone could offer some criticism, functions you would desire in a desk lamp, problems you have with your current desk lamp or functions you wished your current lamp acquired. Here are some examples of functions for reference: a weighted base, 360° rotating arm, ambidexterity etc.
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