#HTE

Crowdfunding Smashes: The Voyager Outdoor Chair

From time to time, I’m going to post about crowdfunding smashes here–not because we’re endorsing the product, but to make you design entrepreneurs aware of what’s selling. If you can keep your finger on the pulse, so to speak, you’ll have a better chance of launching your own successful campaign.

What puzzles me most are objects that don’t seem that special to me, yet are absolutely killing it on Kickstarter. Something about these objects–even when the presentation is meh–inspire people to reach into their pockets. It’s the kind of thing I’d like to discuss with you all over beers, to see if we could figure out why.

Case in point: The Voyager, an outdoor chair that was seeking $25,000 and had racked up $338,286 at press time, with 23 days left to pledge:

The chair seems…fine, and appears to be competently designed. But I’d never have guessed it would be fully funded in just four hours, and 1,300% funded in a matter of days. What’s your take on it?