Journal Journal: In the beginning.....
Anyway, before this degrades into a blog, I might as well introduce the one idea which I want to spearhead: Open Source Product Design. It may exist in some form or another, but not nearly in any form (that I know of) which produces great products consistently. So here are a few ideas:
First, we could start with the basics of open source: some one has a great idea and posts it on a website. Then people comment on it and suggest modifications and such. In the process, some drawings are made and a product begins to take shape. Eventually, a "final" version is released. Now here's where things get interesting....
The main problems are getting prototype made and making sure some company just doesn't steal the idea. Well, as far as I know, in Canada, designs are treated as copyrightable material. Now I don't know if getting the idea copyrighted would simply induce more legal trouble or not, but I would hope it would at least keep the idea from simply being taken. Maybe there could be a clause in the copyright asking for a heads up on any potential infringements so they don't sue or something. So after that's dealt with getting it made would simply be a matter of asking companies to buy it...or something. I don't know.
As someone who wants to be a product designer, this idea has intrigued me because it would make sense to have the people who actually use the products have a say in what they are. Besides, unlike software, ideas for new products are something anyone can have, no design experience neccessary. So I guess to make money off this, one could set up a design company to act as a hub for these ideas. Money would be distributed based on contribution. The company would take a share for hosting the idea. Kinda like an idea ebay.
Anyway, please share your thoughts. I figure the best way to develop this idea is out in the open. I'll be posting a few of my ideas in subsequent entries.
