Ocean West Designs

3D Software for Designing

2011-09-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

I was designing products on paper in 2D with the help of a big eraser. After awhile I started to think that there has to be a more accurate and easier way to do this. The answer....SketchUP, 3D software. It is great for designing products, especially since I have a visual mindset. It took me some time to figure how to use the program. What really helped was a website that I mentioned on the previous post. Now, I'm spending time designing products that I want to offer to consumers. Another nice feature of the software is the cut list plugins, which gives me a list of all the parts with measurements. It takes all the guess work out of knowing what wood supplies I need when I go to the lumber yard. If you are thinking about designing, try it out.

Design in 3D

2011-08-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Designing on paper takes a bit of time and is not that accurate. It gives the general idea of what the product will look like and has measurements, plus I draw mainly in 2D. This weekend, I decided to try out SketchUp by Google. It is a 3D program to design products. At first, I couldn't get the program to design like I wanted. There was a step that I was missing. Usually, I can figure out a program in a short time. So, I went to the tutorials that SketchUp have and they didn't really go into every step; quick and short versions. Now, I'm thinking, where can I get some instructions that make sense so that I can "get it." After some searching on the web, I found a site that explains how to use SketchUp in detail. Here it is: SketchUp for woodworkers. They have ten video tutorials that teach you how to use SketchUp. Now, using SketchUp is easy and fun.

Design stage of two new collections

2011-08-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been working on the design of two new collections. With many ideas in my head, putting them on paper is a trial and error process. Sure glad I have a big eraser. First, I draw a rough draft of the product, then make adjustments. There are times when I stop the process, take a day away, then review with an open mind to see if it meets my vision. From the rough draft, a more detailed picture of the product is drawn with measurements. Then, the building of the product. Usually the first one takes more time because I'm still making adjustments and trying to be efficient to cut down on building time. At this time, I'm still at the rough draft stage. Didn't someone say "Rome wasn't built in a day?" Not to say that I'm even close to the concept of Rome, but I want the product to look great and built correctly. It's about quality products that count.

Design..Design

2011-07-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

The best thing I like about designing a new product is the creativity that goes into the process. It is an outlet for me and it is a sense of freedom to explore. Going back to my earlier days when I would drive cross country, especially in the southwest, I could see for miles which gave me the feeling of freedom and openness, just like designing a product. Also, new ideas and solving problems arise during the process which I enjoy. Sometimes one thing leads to another with the end result a bit different than when starting.

The other day, I was viewing some websites that have pictures of modern architecture, both interior and exterior. Ideas start flying and the words that come to my mind for modern design are: clean lines, openness, bright, simple, fresh, spacious, see through, natural look, and elegance. I think of those words when I start to generate ideas. The idea concept and putting it on paper takes quite a bit of time. Building it, less time.

There is a market for the products that I want to create, the big challenge is developing and implementing a marketing strategy to get the word out. I'm not going after the mass market...too much competition with the big companies who have a ton more money than I have, plus a sales and marketing department. My approach is more of a niche market, a market that enjoys and wants modern, upscale, quality products for their home.

To get the word out, I'm trying the guerrilla marketing approach..I'm not a guerrilla nor do I look like one, but the approach sounds good. So, if you want to be part of the guerrilla marketing campaign, then spread the word......

Redwood for Green Living

2011-07-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Redwood is a great resource as a building material. I have included an article by the California Redwood Association featuring the benefits of redwood. (click the highlighted "redwood" to view the article)
The article explains the benefits of redwood such as: Sustainability guaranteed, Redwood forests and greenhouse gases, energy-consider the source, Did you know, and Choose redwood for green living - comparison between redwood and concrete, plastics & other manufactured materials.

Enjoying your Planter Box

2011-07-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Carlsbad Collection planter box filled with flowers and plants will add pleasure, whether it is indoors or outdoors. Just adding beauty to your porch, deck or patio gives you an opportunity to “landscape” with containers. With the custom and modern design, color and fragrance from flowers, herbs, and vegetables, enjoyment will last for years.

Each new season brings the ability to change the contents of your planter box; adding new color and keeping it fresh. Depending on which area of the country that you live, your local garden center will have the seasonal plants that you need.

Opened the 1000Market Store

2011-06-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

Opened the 1000Market.com (Bonanza.com) store today. I like the setup of the site and the overall concept itself. As I go along, I'll get a better picture on how to maximize the potential of the web store.

Opened the Etsy Store

2011-06-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I got the Etsy.com store open. Trying to get exposure for my products and Ocean West Designs. This is part of my marketing strategy, still got a ways to go. The important thing is to build a following which is going to take some time.

Ocean West Designs site coming together

2011-06-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

During the week, I spent time getting this blog site up and running which was a bit of trial and error, but I got there. Thinking of the design and function, plus integrating the checkouts (PayPal and Google checkout), and other features. Just wish I knew how to write code, it would have made the process a lot easier. Also, created a Twitter page. I like how you have to get your message out in under 140 characters. Now, the biggest challenge is getting people to follow.

Carlsbad Collection

2011-06-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

This is the first collection for Ocean West Designs. It started out one day when I was in the yard and there were plants in two large black plastic pots. They were not pleasing to the eye, so I started searching the web for planter boxes. What I found, they were either plastic, which I didn't want or wood. As for the wood planter boxes, they were either cheaply made and would not last or very expensive and ugly. I came up with a design and took some wood that I had in the garage, built two of them and placed both at the entrance of the house. I've had many compliments about the design. A month went by and I decided to design some planter boxes that were small and could be used inside or outside. The design had to have a modern look with a "wow" factor. Again, I searched the web to see if I could find something that I had in mind. Couldn't find anything, so I figured maybe this could be a niche that was missing. Put my design on paper, built a prototype, then decided to redesign for a better look, built another prototype....here we are with the Carlsbad Collection. I would appreciate your comments on the collection. Your feedback will help with future designs.

Carlsbad Collection

2011-06-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

Beautiful and Modern Planter Box.
Handcrafted with design in mind. It will give that added touch to the interior or exterior of your home.

Redwood

The Natural Choice for Green Building. Redwood is a sound environment choice – a renewable, recyclable and biodegradable resource grown and harvested in accordance with some of the highest environmental standards in the world. From conserving energy to absorbing greenhouse gases, no other building material offers the environmental advantages that come naturally with redwood. It repels termites and resists rot, enables it to last.

15.75” (L) x 6.5” (W) x 6.75” (H)

Fits three 4” clay pots.

Wood is redwood.

Polished aluminum legs.

Redwood has been treated with Thompson's® WaterSeal® Advanced Natural Wood Protector.

Price: $83.00

**Clay pots not included.

11” (L) x 11” (W) x 6.75” (H)

Fits four 4” clay pots.

Wood is redwood.

Polished aluminum legs.

Redwood has been treated with Thompson's® WaterSeal® Advanced Natural Wood Protector.

Price: $85.00

**Clay pots not included.
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Select Planter Box Size

** No international shipments at this time.

Production time (approximate): 1 to 2 weeks depending on backlog.

Welcome to Ocean West Designs!

2011-06-21T22:06:00.000-07:00