(Morrisville, N.C.) Montie Design, an innovative concept-to-marketplace product design and development firm, is continuing a string of educational outreach events by hosting a November 15 Lunch and Learn featuring Paul Tome with EPEC Technologies. Tome will be leading a discussion called the “Secrets of Flex Circuit Design” at the Montie Design studios located just off Aviation Parkway in Morrisville. The event is free but requires advance registration online at https://www.eventbrite.com/event/2434228844. Continue reading “Luncheon Continues String of Educational Outreach Events to Manufacturing Sector”
Montie Design’s Summer of Design Comes to An End – Part 2
Earlier in the year we sponsored a student design contest for students in NC and Virginia. Josh Little was the first place winner. Josh is an Industrial Design student at NCSU. It worked out that Josh was able to spend the first part of the summer commercializing his entry, a locking rack for assault rifles. His design allows owners to safetly exhibit their rifles while keeping them secure and out of the hands of unauthorized users.
We don’t have a prototype to show you yet but the document below helps explain where we are headed with the design.
Montie Design’s Summer of Design Comes to An End – Part 1
Earlier in the year we sponsored a student design contest for students in NC and Virginia. Nick Pennington submitted a contest winning slingshot design. We liked his design so much that we invited him to serve as a summer intern at Montie Design and commercialize his design. Nick managed to successfully complete two versions of his design. Look to see both versions in the Montie Gear catalog in time for Christmas.
Mason’s High Tech Conference Table Test Build
All the parts were finished this week, so Mason could start assembling his new table this week. He was one of our interns this summer. If you are looking for an entry level Industry Designer, then check out his LinkedIn profile.
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- Closeup of the Joinery
- Table is Made of Aluminum Plates for a High Tech Look
Montie Design Participates in Defense Business Event
(Morrisville, N.C.) Montie Design, an innovative concept-to-marketplace product design and development firm, recently participated in the North Carolina Defense Business Association (NCDBA) Breakfast with a Prime event August 25th as one of the presenting companies. Held at the Research Triangle Park Archie K. Davis Conference Center, Breakfast with a Prime featured a main presentation by renowned government contracting group IEM and was well-attended by representatives of private businesses, local government and universities. Continue reading “Montie Design Participates in Defense Business Event”
Cutting the New Montie Gear Conference Table with a Water Jet
Slingshots Coming – Sound Fun?
Rob and Nick are putting the finishing touches on the new Montie Gear Slingshots. These slingshots were the winning entries of Nick Pennington in the 2011 Montie Gear Student Design Contest. Nick worked with us all summer to commercialize his entry, resulting in 4 different slingshot models.
Getting Feedback from Customers
The landscape of the average person is a very connected one. As consumers, we are constantly bombarded with requests for our time and attention. Surveys and focus groups only capture a sliver of the wealth of ideas and opinion that your customers already have. Customers have amazingly valuable opinions and ideas for improving your product and customer service. Maybe customer A has an idea for your next ground breaking, earth shattering product. The dilemma is how do you engage your customers in a cost-effective manner.
Napkin Labs has risen to the challenge. They are offering a service that provides a collaborative framework for customer engagement. It even rewards participants using a point system. Why not give your customers the opportunity to become super customers in the eyes of their fellow customers. I like the idea. Here are a couple of videos that describe the Napkin Labs approach.
Introduction to the Napkin Labs Way
Tour of the Napkin Labs User Interface and Overview of the Workflow
More Troublesome Gap Goodness
Last weekend, we packed up again to Troublesome Gap to do more product testing. This time we were testing a bracket system for a company called Ronin Metal Masters. They have a really cool technology that allows you to ship a sheet metal part flat and bend it by hand when you need it. They have turned this into a product line called BendAShed. This is a big advance in metal folding technology in an industry where large press brakes are normally needed, because you can now do it by hand. Al Ely of ADR Hydrocut in Morrisville, used their waterjet to cut out the stainless steel brackets that we use.
After some hardwork and a bunch of those really cool brackets we ended up with a picnic shelter. The purpose of the picnic shelter is to use the challenging weather conditions at Troublesome Gap to test just how robust the Ronin Metal Masters design really is.
We also had the opportunity to test an assault rifle accessory that we are working on. Seems like we also consume a lot of ammo on trips to Troublesome Gap.
Looking for How People Misuse Your Product
Some of the best product enhancements come from how users put make use of your products in creative ways. This picture is a good example.
I also noticed how the cutting board grip (handle) didn’t fit into the Montie Gear Camp Rack slot, so a short length of 550 cord fixed that problem. Similar situation for the black plastic ladel. Future products and products enhancement goodness in this picture for sure. By the third evening, Al had decided that the loft in the structure would be a great place to sleep, so after using enough clamps he gave it a try. Thankfully he remembered that the first step off the cot is a big one. I think that Mike was already rethinking some of his structure design when he saw Al’s creative use.
I will admit it was hard to come back to Raleigh after 4 wonderful days on Troublesome Gap. Here are some pictures of why it is so hard to come back.
Now the only question is “Are you Troublesome Gap Tough?” Come with us next time and find out!
Calling Entrepreneurs – Free Office Space during the Durham Stampede
Office Space
The Stampede space will host about twelve startups and is in the middle of everything. Parking is free, along with the area’s fastest wi-fi, office furniture, and meeting space. You’re job is to bring a laptop, cell phone, and a good idea. We’ll take care of the rest.
Free Advice
Durham has lots of successful entrepreneurs who are committed to supporting future all-stars. The Bull City also has plenty of service providers who have worked extensively with startups. You’ll have access to all of this during your 60 days.
The Culture
You’ll be joined by over a dozen other startups so the culture is yours to create. The one guarantee is that you’ll have great coffee shops, nice bars, and tasty restaurants close by to fuel you along the way.
Sign Up at: http://startupstampede.com/#sec1
Montie Design / Montie Gear New Product Testing Weekend
Last week we took our annual trek to Troublesome Gap for our product testing weekend. This is when we suffer through the beautiful scenery and beautiful weather to make sure that Montie Gear products are truly Troublesome Gap Tough.
- Tree Hook in Use
Dennis Johnson of Stowaway Speaks Innovation
Dennis Johnson is the man bringing the Stowaway Attic lift to the market (and a Montie Design client). Here is his company’s creation:
This morning he had a great addition to the standard definition of innovation. He said:
Innovation is not giving people what they asked for. It is delighting people with something they never dreamed of. Dennis Johnson, Stowaway, 2011
Its a great way to think about measuring the effectiveness of your innovation by the results. Never discount the “wonder” factor in your work or design.
Have a great day!
Montie
Day One — North Carolina Defense Business Association Event Does Not Disappoint
I enjoy getting out of the office to attend events like the North Carolina Defense Business Association (NCDBA) Event held in Pinehurst April 19-20. Each time, I meet exciting people, obtain invaluable contacts, and learn more about the defense industry. This week’s event does not disappoint. I have connected, and reconnected, with defense industry vendors, and heard from several influential speakers, including Keith Crisco, NC Secretary of Commerce .
Check out the picture from the trade show taken earlier today.
Learn more about defense contracting on the Military Contracting page on Montie.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.
Fuquay-Varina Announces Sphere Incubator for Gaming and Defense Industry Start-ups
The Fuquay-Varina Economic Development Committee has announced the SPHERE incubator that provides low-cost space for start-up companies in the gaming, simulation and defense industries. Fuquay’s location between the Research Triangle and Ft. Bragg really puts them in a position to benefit from the growth of these industries. Flyer available for download at:
http://www.fvedc.com/assets/files/PDFs/SPHERE%20Flyer.pdf
If you have any questions please contact James Sauls at jsauls@fuquay-varina.org.
Test, Test, Then Test Again
Product Design 101
Here at Montie Design, we believe it is important to test, test, and retest a design. This process allows us to identify, and modify potential issues in a way unlike traditional sketching or modeling. Michael Laut of Laut Design said it best, “There’s just no simple way to tell what collides, pinches, abrades, stretches, etc without actually feeling what it’s like to use the product yourself.”
We couldn’t agree more. The evaluation stage plays a pivotal role in our ability to produce high quality products for our customers. Shown below is an example of a collaborative project with Laut Design. Here, the shooter’s posture, aim, and balance are paramount. Thus, we are testing a rifle setup on a flat surface to ensure that the preceding points are addressed.
We’d love to hear from you. What is the most important aspect of product design?