You probably believe that not everyone can be an inventor. After all, you know about the people who created products that changed the world completely. It doesn’t only seem like a lot of work, which it is, but you might also think that designing something new is impossible.
Well, you are wrong. Nothing is impossible. Yes, it will take you a lot of time, but in the end, if you are persistent, we are confident that you can do it. All you need is an idea and a plan on how to make it real. Well, we have come up with a short guide that will help you on this adventure.
Brainstorm ideas
First things first, you need an idea. However small that is, you can probably do something about it. If you don’t already have one, then it is the time for brainstorming. The most important thing is to stay in your lane. What do we mean by this? Well, you probably won’t be able to successfully invent something from the area of knowledge you know little or nothing about.
Due to this reason, think about your area of expertise or something that interests you and that you are passionate about. Make a list of hobbies or jobs you have had in the past, something you are familiar with. Even if you know only the basics, you have all the time in the world to learn more details.
Our advice is to list everything that comes to your mind. It is always a better option to cross off some of the items than to later remember something that could’ve been useful.
Find a problem
The whole point of inventing a new product is to resolve some problem that has been annoying you, and well, the rest of the people. Once you have a list of possibilities, you should try to think of a problem for each item that you could solve. You know, in the past, people weren’t able to work at night, so they came up with candles, and later light bulbs, or they couldn’t communicate with people at distances, so they invented the telephone. Do you see where we are going? Your invention doesn’t have to be some major breakthrough, but simply something that will make everyone’s life a little bit easier.
Furthermore, you can think about some already available products that don’t have a feature that you require, and that would take the item to a whole new level. As you can see, there is always an issue to be found, and guess what, every problem comes with a solution, and you just have to think of it.
Market research
Now that you have the exact idea of what you want to design, it is time to conduct research. There are multiple reasons why this step is crucial. First of all, you have to learn if a similar product already exists. You have to ensure that your future invention is unique, so go online and even visit some stores to see if they offer something similar.
Moreover, you have to learn whether people are actually interested in buying the item. Our advice is to find a third-party, someone who will be objective and able to provide you with feedback. You can do surveys or simply go out and ask the customers. However, be careful. When it comes to online questionnaires, to protect your idea, you should be vague, and if you want to talk with people in person and provide them with more details, you can ask them to sign an NDA, which will ensure that all data stays confidential.
Present the idea
The next step is to find a professional who will help you on this journey. You will need someone who can present your idea to companies that can be potential partners, introduce it to people, and so on. As you can assume, this is a long journey, and you will need all the help you can get. If you want to learn more about this aspect of the process, you can read more about how Invent Help can assist you in starting from the idea to a patent.
Build a prototype
Finally, the time has come to turn your invention into a real product. The first thing that you should do is come up with a budget. Yes, this can be quite costly, and we are not only talking about making a 3D design, but you will have to build a fully functional item.
Up to this point, every detail has been theoretical, but you cannot find all the pros and cons of it unless you have it in your hands. Maybe you will discover that some features do not work the way you want them to, or you might come up with some additional ideas on how to further upgrade it.
Plus, you will need to present it to potential clients and partners. They need to see it first hand to decide whether or not they will invest in it.
Protect the product
Without a doubt, this is something that you should do as soon as you come up with the entire prospect, and this is especially significant if there isn’t a similar product on the market. We have already mentioned the non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This document will prevent other people from sharing any details about your invention, so you can rest assured that no one will try to copy it.
In addition, you should also apply for a provisional patent application (PPA). This document signifies that you are in the process of getting a patent for the product. As you can imagine, this can take some time, so you will be able to continue working on it without having to worry about someone stealing your idea.
If you have come up with a one-of-a-kind name for your invention and want to prevent others from using it, you should file for trademark protection. This can include the name, logo, and a phrase regarding the product.
Finally, you should apply for a full patent. When you reach this step, it might be a good idea to hire an attorney. Yes, their fee can be quite costly, but it is the best way to protect yourself from any legal issue that can arise on the way.
