A Framework for Invention - Pennsylvania Invention Convention

A Framework for Invention:

Although these steps are presented in a linear fashion, they are not necessarily linear.

1. Understand

Observe your world and search for problems. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes (empathy). What do they struggle with? How can you make their life better? How can you make the world a better place (cleaner, happier, easier, safer, more interesting, more beautiful, more effecient, etc.)? Ask lots of questions. Ask potental end users where they are struggling and what needs that they would like to be solved. Conduct research to identify a unique solution. What inventions already exist, and how could you make an improvement on them.

2. Ideate

Brainstorm ideas for your invention. Think creatively—bounce your ideas off friends and family. Don’t give up on an idea someone else doesn’t like. Most inventors face a lot of negativity from others when they are trying to develop a new invention. Stay positive and move forward. Keep good notes.

3. Design

Decide how to make the invention. Keep a log book or design documents with your sketches of your invention and with important notes about things that might work or haven’t worked. Draw pictures of what you think your invention will eventually look like. Write down the functions of different parts of your invention. For example, what does the big red button do? Why is the invention shaped like a cylinder? Why is it a particular color? How would the user use it?

4. Build

Construct a prototype. You may use many different materials for prototype. Consider the following materials: paper, cardboard, foamboard, wood, plastic, metal, popsicle sticks, Legos, straws, pipe cleaners, 3D printed objects, glass, concrete, clay, bottles, cans, fabric, tooth picks, paper clips, tape, blocks, styrofoam, etc. Your prototype doesn’t have to be fully functional. Actually, it doesn’t even have to even work, but the closer you get to a working prototype, the better chance you have of advancing to the next level of the competition. In real life, the better your prototype, the more likely you will find supporters to help you get your invention into the marketplace as a real product.

5. Test

See how the invention works and revise the design as needed. Collect feedback from the end user. Does your invention work? Would your end user buy and use this product? What would your user change about the product—ask them. Would changing the product make it better? Revisit your prototype and make changes to your product, then retest. Again, seek feedback from your users.

6. Communicate

Write about the invention and present it to others. For the competition, record a video of up to 3-minutes describing your invention. The video won’t be judged for presentation, so don’t spend any time making the video pretty or perfect. Any speaking mistakes won’t hurt you—only the invention and how well you “sell” your idea to the viewer.