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August 14, 2008  ShowerMinder makes a big splash at the Green Tech Expo! This year's conference was hosted by Governor Schwarzegger. He liked the ShowerMinder product so much he proclaimed "I want one of these in my home." (www.ShowerMinder.com) July 2008 Another rave review for Snowflake from Bios Magazine January 2008 Products designed by Design + Vision for Blue Microphones received rave reviews at both MacWorld 2008 in San Francisco and NAMM 2008 in Anaheim. Design + Vision is the exclusive designer for Blue Microphones.
New York - October 5, 2007 Two new products designed for Blue Microphones were rolled out at AES in New York City. The designs for both the Snowflake and Joe microphones came from the studios of Design + Vision, Inc. You can read about these exciting new products at Macworld.com.
Ventura County Star - September 9, 2007 Ojai resident Todd Metlen, 42, has been professionally involved in product design for 25 years. He has worked for several major firms, including BMW's Designworks USA. He now owns and operates Design + Vision, a full-service design firm at 210 N. Fulton St., Ojai. The company will move to a larger facility on Olive Street in West Ventura on Oct. 1. The two-year-old, six-employee firm takes initial ideas for new products and turns them into marketable products, Metlen said. The process usually involves creating the basic design of the product and packaging, patenting the concept, selecting materials, branding, manufacturing and marketing — even developing a Web site. Most of the product ideas come from individual inventors and companies. "A simple idea can change the world," Metlen noted. "The key is taking the right steps at the right time. It's not just patents or engineering or marketing. It's all those things plus other critical and interdependent processes that need to happen in concert. We bring it all together." The firm specializes in "green" product development, incorporating eco-friendly materials, environmentally responsible manufacturing techniques and sustainable technology. It has been particularly active in LED lighting and solar products and the use of bioplastics in the design and manufacturing of products. Product development costs can be substantial. For a simple product, an industrial design process might cost $10,000, Metlen said. To get that same product through mechanical and electrical engineering would take an additional $30,000. The branding, logo development, packaging design, Web site and sales collateral materials could add up to $30,000. Then there is marketing activity, often involving trade show and media advertising. That could easily cost another $50,000, he said. "Even a simple product can cost between $75,000 to $150,000 to bring it to market," Metlen said. "The projects we handle usually cost from $30,000 to $500,000. We're often able to bridge financial gaps with strategic funding. "For an individual inventor or company that does not have the capital required to bring their product to market, I sometimes create a situation where I charge minimal fees, take an equity position and get long-term manufacturing and distribution rights to the product. Basically, it ends up like a royalty agreement for the inventor. But it has to be a great product that we believe in." Metlen also has invented a couple of products related to water use and conservation. For more information about Design + Vision, visit the firm's Web site, www.designplusvision.com, or phone 640-2468. — Star columnist Jim Woodard of Ventura is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. Fax him at 644-0790 or e-mail him at Storyjim@aol.com. Ojai, CA – Thursday, August 31, 2006 – The newest member of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce is Design+Vision, Inc. Founded by Ojai resident Todd Metlen, D+V is breaking new ground in the area of industrial design.Metlen brings together a depth of experience in "real world” product design that speed an idea from concept to reality better than any other firm. Each project is different, and every client has unique needs and goals. With a large network of design associates, consulting affiliates and manufacturing partners around the world, Design+Vision, Inc. puts together a top-talent team to tackle unique and challenging design needs. From initial design sketches to prototyping - manufacturing to product marketing, D+V is quickly branding a name in the world of engineering and design. With over 20 years in design and development, Metlen has been an integral part of the design process in many both high profile and familiar products. He has done work for BMW, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens, Porsche Design Golf, Samsonite and Nokia. Metlen’s contribution to Nokia’s luxury marque phone, Vertu (www.vertu.com) was so significant, he was named co – inventor on the US and International Nokia patent. A concept setting Design+Vision, Inc. apart from other design firms is their approach to the design process itself. Marketing their own design and marketing strategy, D+V, Inc is creating a paradigm shift in the way products successfully handle the transition form sketch to shelf. D+V’s, Radial Development® strategy offers a new way of approaching the traditional linear design process. The experts at D+V are the best in the world at their craft. The results not only show in their manufactured products, but in their ability to simultaneously focus their effort - maximizing efficiency and compressing the delivery time line. A symphony of design, engineering, technology and manufacturing defines Design+Vision, Inc. and their sense of concept, action and delivery. Since it’s founding in October 2005, Design+Vision, Inc. has been awarded over $2.5 Million in design contracts from both domestic and international clients. These projects have given birth to over a dozen US patents on behalf of their clients. Design+Vision, Inc. is pleased to be a member of the burgeoning design and business community here in the Ojai Valley. For more information, please visit www.designplusvision.com, or call, 805-640-2468. You may also email to info@designplusvision.com . |
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