Strangely Unique

Everyday people across the world are developing products that they think are going to be ‘the next big thing’. But what does it take to be the next big thing? Something we discovered in our research is that things that become extremely popular are also extremely unique. We focused our research this week on finding unique product designs.

One popular product that everyone would recognize from a mile away is Crocs. Crocs were invented by 3 men in Boulder, CO who were all friends who boated and fished often and they wanted comfortable boating shoes that wouldn’t get wet and stay wet but they would grip the boat so they wouldn’t slip around. They invented Crocs and took them to the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida nd they sold out all 200 pairs that they brought.  After that they could be found on millions of people across the United States and were soon after deemed as hideous. People loved them because they were comfortable, breathable and easy to slip on and off. They are made completely out of a foam resin called Croslite, which is a closed cell resin. It forms to the foot and was highly praised by podiatrists for their benefits. They also have holes around the shoe that allow for breathing and if they get wet they dry almost instantly due to the Croslite material. After they became popular they started developing shoes in all different styles including heels and warmer winter shoes, made with the Croslite resin as well.

-Mare

Who here has a Snuggie?? I know I do and I absolutely love it! Don’t know what it is? Well I’ll tell you! Nicole Goodkind, from the Daily Ticker states that “Blankets are okay but they can slip and slide, and when you need to reach for something your hands are trapped inside. Now there’s the Snuggie- the blanket that has sleeves!”

That’s it! That’s a Snuggie! A blanket with sleeves. I know it sounds strange, but they are surprisingly very successful. They weren’t the first blanket with sleeves ever invented; they were just the first ones to be marketed successfully. They were marketed not just in catalogs, but on television and after just five years after its first release, the Snuggie has sold over 30 million units, bringing in over $500 million. The Snuggie continues to release four new products a year and those products continue to sell out. People are just itching to get one, and I don’t blame them they were a wonderful invention and I use mine almost every day!

-Chatty Charlie

With the needs of the everyday consumer changing constantly an impulse in unique products have been in regular development. Currently the increase in colon cancer has made the unique product development of the Squatty Potty.

The squatty potty has taken on the challenge of eliminating bathroom pains. According to the squatty potty website “Squattypotty.com“ they state, “modern urinary facilities have kept the colon kinked and blocked waste flow.” To counter act this, the squatty potty was designed as a stool to place your feet on while you go. With your feet placed on the squatty potty you legs in association with your hips and colon are angled at 34 degrees, this removed the kink in your colon providing for an easy colon. A “happy colon: happy you” comes from the purchase of this unique product. So the next time you have to go remember to grab your squatty potty and bend to 34degree so you too can have a happy colon and be worry free of colon cancer.

-Mary

Water is essential to our bodies and our functioning organs. Of course there are tons of different water bottle brands: Arrowhead, Aquafina and Smart Water just to name a few. And most importantly having purified water is the number one priority among consumers. Bobble is a stylish, reusable bottle that is designed to filter the water as you are drinking. When the water passes through the filter, the carbon filter removes chlorine. Bobble is an alternative to single-serve plastic water bottles, which harm the earth and your wallet. Bobble is free of BPA Phthalates and PVC. and it is guilt-free as well.  The prices can run you about $8.00 to $17 for two.

-KeAnna

Sustainability is becoming an important factor in product design. Many water bottle companies have made the initiative to trade in their old water bottles for newer, slimmer, eco-friendly designs. Nestle is one such company.

In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint Nestle created a unique water bottle design, the 500ml Eco Shape that contains 60% less plastic than their original Pre-Eco-Shape 500ml bottle. The new design is 100% recyclable, features a label approximately one third smaller, is easy to carry, and is flexible so it is easier to crush for recycling. Companies are consider our environment and what the consumers want more now then in the past, and these are evident in the unique product designs they are creating. Consumers have the power to decide what they want to be produced with dollar voting, and brands are stepping up to make products that meet the needs of their fans.

-Shani