idea island

Innovative solutions to 3rd World Challenges

2010-04-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

There are always challenges providing humanitarian aid to various developing countries, such as connecting various innovations to those who need them. The next few posts will look at some of these low cost innovations.

An example of this is not reinventing the wheel, but the way in which you transport water from the well to the village. It's called the Q-Drum a roll able water container, allowing rural people in developing countries to transport adequate quantities of water from a reliable water source.

Q-Drum

Make a Kayak Sail

2009-08-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

Designing and creating new products does not always have to be an expensive process, ingenuity can start in the backyard. A good example of this is the kayak sail, giving wind power to the typical adventure kayaker allowing them to go further distances with little effort. Below are the details on creation of this sail and associated YouTube clip.

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Materials Required

Rip Stop Nylon:- 1.5m x 150cm wide Thin nylon cord - approx 5m
Velcro: 20cm of 25mm wide Bungee 6 or 8 mm - approx 0.6m
15mm Class E PVC pipe x 2 Bungee 5mm - approx 2.5m
Tee peices for 15mm pipe x 2
Bamboo Canes 1.2m long x 2 If Required
End capes to fit over pipe x 2 Saddles and bolts for Kayak Deck
Dog clips 2 x 12mm, 1 x 20mm

All units are in metric if you wish to convert here is a useful link: Conversion

Make the Sail

Take note the dimension specified are only a rough guide on proportions for the sail it can be larger or smaller depending on the size of the kayak mine was around 5 metres long.

Initially draw the pattern of the sail onto the rip stop nylon using the dimensions shown and then cut it out. With any of the off cuts create two strips 12cm wide and about 1.7m long for the mast pockets.
Now fold over a 1cm hem on the top and bottom of sail, pin it then sew.
Then Hem the ends of the mast pocket material then fold mast pockets length wise in half and pin down each side of sail. Make sure when sewing to allow for a 1cm seam. Also Sew across the tops. Note. It is a good idea to reinforce the tops of the pockets to reduce stress from the poles.
Roughly halfway down the mast pockets cut holes 8cm long and 4cm wide to allow the guidelines to be tied to the mast.
You can also add a Velcro strip at the top of the sail so it can be easily tied down to the kayak when not in use.

Create the Mast

Initially cut a 0.5cm ring off the end of each of the mast pipe then cut to make split ring. Then glue these to the masts about 2cm up from where the bottom of the hole in the mast pocket is positioned (This is done to stop the guide lines sliding down the mast poles.
Now with the bamboo canes about 1.2m long fit them up the centre of the mast piping. This helps to strengthen and reduce the amount of flex in the pipe.
Glue or tape end caps on then insert the masts into the pockets on the sail.

Create the Footing

A lot of kayaks already have saddles in the front of the kayak such as the ‘Puffin’ Q Kayak. Otherwise you will need to purchase or create a saddle to support the footing of the kayak sail.
Assemble the footing as shown in the diagram testing on the kayak to determine the correct pitch of the sail. Using foam can also help to protect the decking and raise or lower the pitch.
Attaching the footing is best done using a bungee cord attaching directly to the kayak footing; an alternative is to wrap it around the whole kayak nose.

Now Rig the Sail

Place the masts into the footings and get someone to hold the sail perpendicular to the deck (do not glue the mast into the footing T-piece so it can be removed easily for storage). Tie a length of bungee onto one side above the split ring, add the 20mm dog clip and clip it on to the kayaks nose carry handle. Tie the other end of the bungee to the mast on the other side. The bungee should be firm but not stretched.
Do similar with the nylon cord looping it twice through each of the 12mm dog clips as this acts like a locking knot so the angle of the sail can be adjusted.

In order to stow the kayak sail pull the nylon guide lines towards you to lower the sail and secure using the Velcro ties. To release the sail undo the Velcro and the bungee will automatically pull the sail into the upright position. Then adjust the lines to catch maximum wind and speed.

Make a Travel Documentary

2009-08-23T03:14:00.000-07:00

Why not create a travel documentary earn some money from your global travels find a niche and film it. But there are of course a few things to think about when creating a documentary it is not always as simple as point and shoot, here is a quick guide.

Have a Plan

You to establish the story with reasons behind it. Who are the characters, what is the characters main goals and objectives and most importantly how is the audience your trying to target. 'Long Way Down' and 'Long Way Down' are two great travel documentaries that follows this.

The Right Equipment

Next, practically you are not going to want to travel with an expensive heavy camera to a large proportion of travel destinations through out the world for safety, security and other reasons. So look for a bargain there are a number of great lower cost digital video cameras on the market today, that also shoot in HD quality. A Tripod is also helpful for those diary entries and scenic shots of majestic landscapes. Also for various lighting conditions an attached direction camera light is best for moving round with ease in an ou door environment. It is important that you have good audio if you are dissatisfied with the a built in mic opt for an external one. Other important necessities are batteries, storage medium and protective bag to safe guard you valuable equipment/footage.

Production

Production is a thing that you will develop and improve on with experience. Techniques will differ depending on the situation but here are a few that could be helpful.

Don't stare into the camera, blend into your environment. Ask permission to film where possible before intruding on someones lively hood. If you choose not to ask have the camera hidden preferably at wait level with LCD hidden, people are less likely to notice. When shooting interviews or landscape shots use a tripod, and do not allow the interviewee/or to look directly into the camera. When shooting in daylight preferably make sure the sunshine over shoulder. If possible use a microphone on a boom poll to increase the audio ten fold. Minimise the need of zooming while filming especially during dialogue.

Post Production

Having gathered the footage on your journey, post production plays just as important role in developing your storey through selecting scenes and including the appropriate audio, music and transitions to give the best emotive response for your work.

If all you want is a simple transition music overlay video windows movie maker or iMovie would be fine. But looking for that extra production quality look at Adobe products or Final Cut both great packages although price is always an issue, you how ever pay for what you get.

Now, Before your first edit watch through all your footage get an idea of what you will use or discard and try to map out your story where tension points will be and comedic relief. Clarify the goal at the beginning of the documentary with it achieved by the end.

Also learn from the pros, watch documentaries analyse them and use them for creative influences. But the best way to learn is by doing and making mistakes, your first piece will not be a masterpiece but you are at the least on your way.

Threadless

2009-07-27T01:39:00.000-07:00

Threadless is not just a t-shirt company but is a social community allowing consumers to design, rate and purchase t-shirts. The website has numerous competitions for the best t-shirt designs, which are then manufactured and sold online. The site is run by Skinnycorp started in 2000 by two young entrepreneurs with $1000.

The Threadless T-shirts are run in limited batches and reprints can be requested upon demand. This means the company doesn't need to maintain high stock levels and doesn't have to discount left over stock, saving warehousing space and loss of profit.

Another similar site to Threadless.com is Designedbyhumans.com running a similar concept also worth checking out.

Threadless

Free Paper Cups

2009-07-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

Anything free is always good, now there is a company supplying free paper cups to offices around the US. How does it work, the cups are each branded with an advertisement paid for by advertisers. It a great marketing idea considering the large number of office workers and coffee drinkers in the US. It also allows for the advertisements to be more easily targeted towards a given market in comparison to television.

The cups are also made from an eco-friendly material which is better for the environment. Although reusing your own coffee mug in the office still seems a better idea for the environment. It will be interesting to see how well this company does.

Everyone likes a freebie and if it's friendly for the environment too, even better!

Free Paper Cups

One Hope

2009-07-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

One Hope focuses on the charitable side of selling wine and making a profit through cause marketing. Hope Wines donates around 50% of their profits, they have been very successful in raising money for a number of different charities including AIDS, Autism, Breast Cancer and the US Troops. One Hope is all about making the world better, and giving people an easy way to make a difference. The company was started by a young grocer in 2005 and has been very successful to date expanding throughout the USA and raising over $100,000 for charity.

One Hope

Ponoko

2009-07-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

Ponoko based in New Zealand lets your design your own products then have them manurfactured using Ponoko's CNC laser cutting machine, you can either purchase them or sell them through their online shop allowing you to turn your creativity into cash. With no set up fees. No monthly fees. No listing or sales fees. No minimum orders. No inventory. Simply click to design, make, sell and deliver your creativity to the world, at your own speed.

Through co-creation the Internet enables people to share more than ever before. And clever software now enables more than one person to be a part of the product creation process. It is now possible for anyone (not just those with lots of time and money) to get a product that no one else has, with the click of a mouse.

Its great to the consumers are now no longer limited to a companies design team for innovative products and designs.

Ponoko

About

2009-06-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

I enjoy searching for and finding the next great entrepreneurial idea, through television, radio, newspapers, conversations and of course the web. Idea Island focuses on the most promising business ventures and ideas out their that have the potential for regional adoption. I want to encourage people to think both locally and globally, if it is successful in one country why not in yours.

I understand that Capitalism is a product of Entrpreneurship and not liked by everyone, but I do believe that entrepreneurs and wealth creators around the world can make a positive difference to our planet. Provided Human capital and behaviour work together for the well-being of people and the environment.

Einstein once said: ‘I wish that somewhere exsisted an island for those who are wise and of goodwill’

So with wise business ideas and the potential to do good, this is Idea Island!