Wei Yang

A international company shall consist with its core value besides deliver great products. Its attributes are good product, innovation, customer service and value. The goal making the business reach global form. Advertising and promote product over internet with consideration of culture back ground of target countries. Appropriate and not offensive to others as well. It can use facts, humor, experience, and emotion to appeal its audiences. Project Lid is a product and service company. It beliefs it can benefit both the company and earth community. Its goal is providing safer, cheaper and waste reduction products to people. The business stage is maturing and it is more initiative on its corporate social responsibility. We also put resource for research and development to provide better products. We might expand our business through re-branding and expand relate products. Other than traditional lunch box, it will expand product line to drink bottle, dry and preparation food storage. We may expand to make our own manufactures or do business with other manufacture by signing confidential agreements. We will send over our own people to overseas, train the manufactures to meet our standard and provide good quality of products to people.

On week 5, I expect the business will launch product in half of the globe. For a business to survive internationally, it must knows their customers, culture and backgrounds. In Japan, Japanese students and workers bring their own “Bento”. Which usually are food prepared in the morning and carried on to school or work for lunch. Usually one parent will stay home as housewife or househusband. Most of the housewives are well educated and went to college, they sacrifice their career to stay home to take care the family. Parents try to make the food interesting, so their children will enjoy the food. The food container for children are colorful and bright, even the choice of the food is the same theory. Parents mimic food into cartoon characters, that is a good way to make sure the child eats the food. At least it makes me want to eat. For adults, the lunch box shall be warm, solid or dual colors. The cozi link gave ideas what a child eat for lunch in different countries. Some countries provide lunch for children or simple food were pack in brown bags. The business have to research facts like that to prevent it from failing. Also the business also need to consider the country’s economic factor. Some countries do not have enough food for people or they have barely anything to eat. We might less likely launch business there. However, the business might partner up with organization like food bank to stop world hunger for good cost. Like providing food containers, donate money to buy foods, use percentage of profit to aid the needs or volunteer. It is a great market for food container business and every container needs a lid. We have to differentiate ours and make it well know. Getting people’s attention and recognition.

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/whats-your-lunchbox-lunches-around-world

https://www.google.com/search?q=japanese+bento+box&client=firefox-a&hs=TuS&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Xs6vUqGHI4vOsATUuYGYBA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1224&bih=579

As mention in step 3  I will try to contact supermarkets or home goods stores to sell my lids and containers.  My step 3 was launching and expanding my business. I began testing trail with couple stores in tri-states area and gradually expand it. On the week 4, I plan to launch product-Lid Project in USA. According to the CIA Factbook U.S. population rank on the 4th of most populous countries which is 316,668,567. An estimate percentage of students and work forces age groups added up around 45-50% over all population.  That is  fascinating, a great open market. There is great need for the product. People have different appetite and food preference. So different size of containers were created generally in the market. The customization allow people to get desire size, shape and mechanism of food container and lid. Americans change eating from fast food to more healthy food. The cost of yearly lunch is $3,650 and how did I come up with that?  Let’s see average cost of lunch is $10, and the material might cost less than $3 dollars to make if it is self prepare.That is when the food container come in handy. It can pack food, prevent spill and microwavable. I can see a huge saving.

Selling point:

1. Product and service

2. Saving fact

3. Healthy fact

Product differentiation:

1. Lid replacement or customize service

Advertising:

1. Magnet/silicon rubber tag message on package

2. Viral near merchandise counter

3. Posters

In continuation of “Vision of Future”, I like to study food packages and containers as mention previously. I also like accessory and decorations.  I recently focus on my lid project. Lids come with all shapes, color and mechanism.  It has broad market potential. There are similar products already existed in the market. How am I going to make it differentiate from other? Simply adding service like charge a fee for replace and customization lid or container. Finding a better alternatives for easy, and durable and affordable waste reduction materials. Usually food container and lids are not heavy advertising. People see an average food container can last a year or more or it is not that profitable. The project lid can be used to cover food containers, food cover for refrigerate food over the dishes. It can be used for commercial purpose, packed and seal food for sale. Also, it can be endless possible food and nonfood relate for storage purpose.

Even though I have not started any design in accessory and decoration, I observed designs others have came up in the market.  They are in various trends, shape colors and materials. Bow ties, earrings, scarves, gloves, mittens, lightnings, frames….etc.  I like to study and develop expertise in those areas. There are many resource available for entrepreneur to make it happen. I personally think I need to partner up with one or two partners to start the business.   I will feel more pressure if I am in a team rather than when I am alone. I have the urge/need to get it done. If the partnerships are right,  we can all share information and insights. For certainty I  do  not like to be ordered/micromanaged,  I like to  take leadership role when the situation requires and I do not mind to do a little extract work.

https://www.google.com/search?q=food+storage+containers+with+attached+lids&client=firefox-a&hs=2eL&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=hWGvUo7nEJOjsQT6gYG4Dw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1224&bih=579

https://www.google.com/search?q=food+storage+containers+with+attached+lids&client=firefox-a&hs=2eL&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=hWGvUo7nEJOjsQT6gYG4Dw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1224&bih=579#q=accesory+and+decoration&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=msBGnCXm8T0JhM%3A%3BHgJM94K_wtsTkM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.allthingsforsale.com%252F749-4089-thickbox%252Fjapanese-bento-egg-mold.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.allthingsforsale.com%252Fbento-accessory%252F749-japanese-bento-egg-mold-4956810221288.html%3B600%3B600

I can not belief it is end of semester. It seem like I just starting to use Sketch-UP yesterday. Well, the class experience was interesting, the class inter-grate students from art and entrepreneur background. It required collaboration,  technical support, sophisticate planning and execution. I do not think anyone could survive without either one of them. I see the class as a starting platform for exploration of interest and communicate ideas.  Besides 3 D can be the next big thing, people try to find ways to better human live with this high technology.  Making something useful and you can be part of history. I heard the HP is making its own 3D printers, may be we all could have one one day and make great gadgets.

What did I learn from this class? Empathy-Thinking in others’ shoes. Be very thorough organized and flexible. I learned that making plans were helpful to current and future, even though result might be different.  Plenty of researches and brainstorming can prevent waste of time and fully understand the product and market. Team can not execute plan as they expect it should be, there always change need to address.  The design shall have an objective and purpose. It needs to be standout or differentiate with others. I learn correlation between function and measurement. Measurement has to be nearly perfect precise and make sense. I learn to save my works step by steps in different file name. Saving files in different version is crucial, it is easy to upgrade than downgrade in all software programs.

During teamwork I did not take much role in leadership in this project. I tended to be more supportive and collaborate with other team members. We started from three members and we only have two left on the team. It is unfair for one to do all the work. If the team work were split evenly and each one does what he or she wants, the purpose of teamwork is defeated. We might not learn the value of “teamwork” itself. We try to discuss and share parts. I also find it helpful if team members give each other feedback.

I personally like this class overall. The class is a source to access, create and gathering of 3D print design and ideation. 3 D print exists for years, and people are ready to take it in the next level. It is expanding that students, teachers and professional coming to explore its possibility. As mention previously I like to design food relate package like lids and containers. I am also fun of accessories and decorations. The class provide resource and environment that I can do more on the research. It is possible for me to start my own business with the knowledge.

I remembered I had read an article about cling food film like Glad can actually contribute germs in food. Will the lid solve this problem? Let’s see an average film was roll and split with blade. It is typically wrapping food with hand to make it tight.  The problem with film is it can not seal from air completely. Often germs will penetrate into holes and gaps.  It also attracts germ on top of  this thin layer film. However, the Glad also introduces its  press and non leaking film. May be there shall be a better way to do this. A design of silicon rubber lid secure  the dish tightly. It can mold the shape to seal it from germ. It is more reusable, rather than wasting plastics. Typical lid shall cover bowls and plates in either round, oval or rectangular shape. The size can be from small, medium to large.

I have seen something similar than what I just described. A banana leaf silicon lid is available to sell on the second link. It came with two sizes choices, price from $17.99 to $24.99.  Can it be better and cost less? That’s the question I would I to explore. If the question will be able to be solved, it will increase individuals to use it more than waste plastic on film. It is secured, sealed and tighten. Putting a end to spill and less germ penetration.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article…/Is-packaging-poisoning-food.html

http://www.cindysgarden.com/products/364/bananleaflid.aspx

I see the lid making  also relate to container making  or even combination. I will try to contact supermarkets  or home goods store to sell my lids and containers. The packaging can include a magnet tag state we offer this service, all product have one year warranty or discount. Placing a viral near merchandise counter. I will make a poster offering lid replacement or customize service. My step 3 was launching and expanding my business. It will be big. I will test trail with couple stores then tri-states area.

Needs and target: Even though people enjoy fast food. They change their habit into more healthy eating food, often it is costly, if you are not prepare it yourself. For average student, the tuition, room and board can be costly if you are not attending CUNY school and staying with parents. Students and workers often prepare their own food  to eat because it is cheaper and  healthy. The food containers shall be safe, durable and easy to use.

Selling point:

1. Product and service

2. Saving fact

3. Healthy fact

Reviewing step 1 was research and design product-lid. I think it could be develop into a customize service. My step 2 is promoting my product after making the lid.  I planned to hire couple guys to distributing flyers, and making my very own product demonstration in class and school. I also want to make it  viral like post on Youtube.  Possible story board and my demonstration of my lid snap tight with the Glasslock container.  Introducing problem and solution.

Pitch/ Selling points:

Story board / real action / my own story telling

Introduce problem broken lid.

Asking questions: How many of you have an experience with broken lid or due to change a lid?

What did you do with a broken lid?

What did you do with other fine part?

What’s the average replacement- usually the whole thing?

Want to find a way to solve it- a cheaper and non-waste alternative?

Insert my own demonstration- microwavable food save material for lid.  Making it snap, fit and easy to peel.

Simply following step 1, 2, 3.

1. Scan file or original and  send your lid spec to me.

2. Design and customize lid.

3. Get it when it is ready.

My broken lid made me get into journey of lid making. My original first step was to replace broken lid  by research and design. My focus was to find a better way to design it with less materials. Instead of scan the broken lid, I had measured my Glasslock lid last weekend.  I made a lid in the Sketchup. I was impressed by the material the other group demonstrated during presentation-Gecko silicon rubber sticker. I think it is good material for the lid.

Following are some of my personal experience with containers:  I think Glad containers does not always prevent water spill. At the first couple time of use it would be fine. The lid and  container could not seal tight after couple time of microwave or wash. It can be used to pack dry food. Glasslock lid compared to others was more durable. However, the rubber rim turn dirty quickly. Mime was broken because it drop  and smash into ground. The broken piece was small though. A flaw was it get stuck when you seal it with hot food. I think the problem is it does not have an air hole to cool it down. There are some food containers allow open and close of air hole.

My research on the lid were whenever I am in a store I will look at their containers.  There are many form  of containers and lids. Besides they can make off various material, rubber, plastic, steel and combination.  It also come with different shapes (round, rectangle), sizes (small, large) and mechanisms. I was more excited with its mechanism, snap and tight, screw, lock…… It is endless possible for a lid. I did not know a simple lid can be so sophisticate or complicate.

The class had a media experiment last week in the Newman Field Center. I made the building, garden and mini transportation in  the resort with block, paper, paper deck and wood pieces. The building was made with blocks/legos and a  pair of plastic leaves. The main colors was choices of bright colors like green, orange and red. The transportation was  made with paper decks  that connect with wood pieces and the Lego person drove it. The paper fold tree and flower laid on top the block deck.  The working progress was fun. Experimenting with different media, making them fit together and conveying a theme. I did not have clear idea about thing  I should make.  Someone said it is a nice building or resort.  So I start to make a series of objects match it up. I even have time to join other group to help them figure out how to the mechanic work by using my simple daily observation. I was glad to able to help others. I was amazed by classmates can come up with the different things with the available materials. The giant bird, the turning rose with sound, the Lego dog etc…. During this exercise, we felt the media, brainstormed ideas, figured out mechanism and accomplished by combined pieces together.