Reflections on the Industry: You know you're doing something right when, dot dot dot.

Received some word from our hard working, globe-trotting Product Development big man, Steve, who very recently participated in the largest Asian symposia for manufacturers, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and Global Sourcing Fair. 

There's a lot going on about design and technology safeguarding in our industry and Steve shares a revealing observation on where we are in product development.

The gist: How do you know you're doing something right? When people start doing what you do, literally.

From Steve:

October came and with it the opportunity to fly to the Far East to research new manufacturing techniques and materials. Over the course of five days I immersed myself in gadget-land at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and Global Sourcing Fair, the two largest gatherings of manufacturers in Asia. You can imagine my surprise when my quest for new materials - to continue in our legacy of firsts (in addition to bringing color and design to silicone, building in an antimicrobial agent to protect our products, and wireless capacity to iPod speakers) turned into a surreal experience.  

Instead of finding new and cutting-edge materials, I was surrounded by many suppliers showcasing products in very familiar designs and patterns: the very patterns that iSkin created for the soloFX and nano Vibes. My designs were adopted by, not one or two, but a multitude of manufacturers, big and small!

Understandably my initial reaction was anger. Flying sixteen hours to find other people claiming ownership of your company’s designs is not my idea of fun.

Until it hit me… if so many manufacturers are banking on our designs rather than creating their own, we must be onto something. Add this to the tons of comments and feedback we get from our beloved customers all over the globe and I really can’t help but smile, instead, about the inspiration we’re bringing in the industry. 

-----

Stay tuned next week for more ground-breaking designs as we launch new skins for Apple's iPod nano 5G!