Today there is so many different procedures when making a product. Lets take a clock-radio. First you need a 3D guy, then you need a PCB guy. The 3D guy is usually so so and so is the PCB guy. Why not create a homepage where the visitors comes with suggestions and if you know 3D you can join in! Or if you know electronics. This could then be sold as a better product and cheaper. All suggestions get rated so only the good one goes in to production. Files should be open to everyone to use and change. Information wants to be free. Like Wikipedia or like GNU software. I give this idea away to anyone who agrees. Everything should be developed, from coffee-brewers to Shirts. Designs and already developed PCB could be for users to download or change.
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So you're saying that people will stop into your webpage and design things for free? I don't think so.
As for the "3d-guy" (this is sort-of a description of my profession, mechanical engineer), he's often not the person that comes up with the shape that's desired, (although he'd like to be). In a small company I get more lee-way, but in a large company, an industrial designer will dictate the shape and controls, etc. Also, your boss and the rest of the project team all have input and mess with your design.
And the "PCB guy" will need schematics to work from as well as board outlines from the 3D guy. Maybe you mean 'electrical engineer" here.
But really I think the functions on those schematics and in the innovation in the 3D will have more to do with if you sell a popular product than if it was designed for free on a website.
Apple computers were 'team designed' with input from teachers, etc, years ago and it helped get the customers to 'buy-in' before the design, sort-of obligating them to purchase what they contributed to. It was an interesting scheme, but I personally don't think it promotes those paradigm-shifting changes that really sell products.
No 'team' ever thought of an idea--every idea has come from one person's brain. There are no team-brains. Teams are more apt to quash an earthshaking idea than adopt it. That's why most good inventors have to quit their traditional company and go out and start their own company. Also, great ideas are usually not given away free to a website. Not even to whynot.
So if you think that you're that one-person with the ideas, than you can hire a 3D guy and a PCB guy and go make some great products. I think it will work better than asking for them for free.
I have hired 3-D guys before and i still think it would work. Internet takes it to a new level. The old way of thinking is no good. You should adapt to today. Im sure people still hire 3D people. But im sure that products would turn out better this way. 100 minds is better then 1.