Taiwan is looking like a good place for design entrepreneurs to set up shop. We’ve already seen what Mininch has done time and again, successfully kickstarting a bunch of little pocket tools (here, here and here); a similar approach is being taken by their neighbors Human Mechanic Method, who launched their Rule/One Pen & Ruler on Kickstarter a couple of years ago.
What Mininch and HMM have in common is what I’ll call the Design Nerd Aesthetic; both presumably have Dieter Rams books on their shelves at home and started with small, digitally-fabricated re-takes on common household items. They both manufacture in Taiwan and are presumably in close proximity to their manufacturers, and they both continued to push outwards and design new objects after their initial hits. In HMM’s case they’ve followed up with Mugr, combining fine ceramics with walnut or beech handles…
…and an upcoming collection of coffee-brewing paraphernalia that includes a cast-iron scoop with a wooden handle.
The other thing both firms have in common is that they both set relatively tiny (~$20,000 USD) Kickstarter targets that they were easily able to reach. Just a reminder for you would-be design entrepreneurs that being close to your manufacturers and starting small isn’t a bad way to go. Just be ready to follow up with more.
http://www.core77.com/posts/51016/Design-Nerds-On-the-Rise