18. invention, intellectual property and income

Fututre of this project

Next steps

I am very optimistic about this project, although there are some improvements needed, I believe it has a lot of potential to become a real product.

The most important steps for further development include evaluating different, smaller motors to reduce the thickness of the base and trying a stepper motor for more precise and stable movement. Additionally, if I decide to use a solid material for the axis tube, I need to create an inner structure within the origami to house the LEDs. A very important part is finding and purchasing special origami paper of the required size 600 x 300 (which I couldnt find in the local stationary stores I went to). I would also like to use the vinyl cutter to engrave tha pattern and compare the results of using a vinyl cutter versus laser engraving to trace the pattern. I plan to test the prototype with the target users to observe their experience and see if it helps reduce their anxiety levels, analyzing if the 45-minute interval between breathing exercises is effective or too frequent. Finally, I need to develop packaging that ensures the origami structure is durable and doesn’t get squished during transport.

Here, you can see the difference between the functional prototype made as the final project and the ideal aesthetic design.

Making it a reality

To make this project a reality after finalizing the prototype, three fundamental steps are essential: securing funding, establishing manufacturing, and creating strategic partnerships.

Funding

Seek consultancy and assistance for professional guidance.
Create a crowdfunding campaign to raise the necessary funds for the product launch.
Evaluate the possibility of pitching the idea to investors to secure additional funding.

Manufacturing

Establish the production process and assembly requirements.
Ensure quality control measures.
Identify and collaborate with manufacturers and assembly partners who can produce and assemble the lamps to meet quality standards.

Partnerships

Creating strategic partnerships is crucial for market entry and growth.

Develop social media presence and a dedicated platform for selling the lamps.
Utilize digital marketplaces and e-commerce platforms to reach a wider audience.
Partner with wellness centers to sell the lamps.
Approach large companies that prioritize mental health for their employees and offer the lamps as part of their well-being programs.

Intellectual property

I understand the value and importance of intellectual property in protecting designs and securing rights over them. Given the vast market and numerous products available, obtaining a patent can be challenging since it requires meeting very strict criteria. From my experience and classes on intellectual property, I have learned that protecting a brand name is crucial. While many products can be easily replicated with modern technology, a strong brand adds significant value.

I am also a strong advocate for open source, recognizing its immense value in fostering innovation, collaboration, and accessibility. I would like to contribute to this movement in the future by creating projects that benefit society in various areas.

For this specific project, I was unsure which license to use. After seeing a classmate use the Creative Commons website to determine their project's license, I decided to do the same. I took the test to find the best fit and chose the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license requires reusers to credit the creator and allows them to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, for noncommercial purposes only.If others modify or adapt the material, they must license the modified material under identical terms.