How Did Simone Giertz Transition from Shitty Robots to Product Design?

TL;DR

Simone Giertz transitioned from creating 'shitty robots' to serious product design by leveraging her unique approach to lower pressure and ease performance anxiety. Despite facing challenges in redefining her brand, she successfully launched a habit-tracking calendar after recovering from brain surgery, using crowdfunding as a means to test market interest and gather feedback while emphasizing the importance of transparency with backers.

Transcript

I'm really glad that Jordan said [ __ ] before he came out because we had a conversation before about whether or not it was okay to swear oh I didn't even notice that part cuz I feel like oh no don't don't like raise people's expectations like I want the bar to be as low as possible so you can impress and not be like wow this person is cool well I ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Simone Giertz used her love for making "shitty robots" to learn about electronics and hardware while overcoming performance anxiety.
• 🤖 Transitioning from a niche as the "queen of shitty robots" to pursuing more serious projects in product design presented challenges but also opportunities for growth.
• 😨 Simone's brain surgery and recovery process influenced her desire to create the habit-tracking calendar as a reminder to take care of oneself.
• 🏆 Kickstarter provided a valuable platform for testing the market and gathering feedback on the product.
• 🤗 Simone values transparency and open communication with backers during the crowdfunding process.
• 🛩️ She plans to continue pursuing projects both big and small, balancing ambitious endeavors with smaller ones.
• 🎙️ More videos with Simone Giertz:
  • Simone Giertz on Her Robots and Returning to Work After Brain Surgery
  • Why you should make useless things | Simone Giertz
  • The Boat/Rock Brainteaser ft Simone Giertz part 2/3

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Simone Giertz approach learning about electronics and hardware without letting performance anxiety get in the way?

Simone intentionally built useless and funny robots to lower the pressure and create an environment where she could play and explore without fear of failure.

Q: What was the significance of Simone Giertz being known as the "queen of shitty robots" and the challenges she faced in broadening her scope?

Being known for making intentionally malfunctioning robots gave Simone a pigeonhole to fit in, but she worried about branching out and broadening her work without abandoning her unique identity. However, her followers and people in the hardware industry have been understanding and supportive of her transition.

Q: How did Simone Giertz approach creating the habit-tracking calendar and what motivated her to make it?

Simone created the calendar as a way to track her own habits, starting with her desire to meditate every day. It took on more meaning for her after undergoing brain surgery and a lengthy recovery process, reinforcing the importance of self-care.

Q: How did Kickstarter help Simone Giertz launch her product and what did she learn from the crowdfunding process?

Kickstarter was a useful platform to test the market and get feedback on the habit-tracking calendar. Simone emphasizes the importance of transparency and open communication with backers and would consider crowdfunding again for future projects.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Simone Giertz became known for making "shitty robots" and grew a following on the internet, leading to four years of being a full-time inventor of useless things.

• She used the concept of making purposely malfunctioning robots to lower the pressure and ease her performance anxiety while learning about electronics and hardware.

• Simone faced challenges transitioning from being known as the "queen of shitty robots" to wanting to take on more serious projects in product design.