ADAPTR

Adaptr is a revolutionary device enabling you to create adapters through the use of a modular system of connectors and accessories. It includes a portable battery, flash storage and various connectors to make the device truly universal.

EVAN MCDOUGALL

DUSTIN LEE

THE PROJECT

The goal of the Adaptr project was to create an idea for a entrepreneurial venture and validate the concept.   Throughout the course of the project surveys and trend analysis were used to gauge the product's viability and to hone in on which features would make the product appealing to the target demographic.

THE CONCEPT

The initial concept for Adaptr was the notion of a contemporary Swiss army knife.  A universal, modular device that could bring together the tech accessories you need on a daily basis into one compact device. 

RESEARCH

Halfway through the Adaptr project, the MacBook pro was released.  This reinforced the flaws of current adapters and dongles.  Our research confirmed this and also told us that people were often changing their weekly plans based on the low battery levels of their smartphones.  This information helped to guide us to Adaptr’s final form, containing interchangeable adapters that can be used together as well as with a portable battery, wall charger and flash storage.

THREE DAY DESIGN BLITZ

The rapid design phase was done over a three-day period where loose sketches quickly became CAD models and persuasive renderings were produced for the minimum viable product.

CUSTOMIZABILITY

Adaptr can be assembled however the user sees fit.  The larger swivelling main body component contains an internal battery and can be used as a wall charger or as a power bank.  The smaller components can be connected to one another to create adapters or, with the main body component, allow the user to charge with whichever connection standard their phone uses.

MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT

The final phase of validation was to create a minimum viable product (MVP).  Our MVP was a fake door website that presented the user with the option to input their email address to get a 30% off coupon code.  We installed Google analytics and were able to obtain a conversion ratio of website hits to email sign ups.

DRIVING TRAFFIC TO the MVP

Several methods were used to drive traffic to our fake door MVP website.  We first created social media accounts for Adaptr.  Next, we purchased Facebook ads for the product and lastly we were able to get the product featured on several prominent design blogs.

RESULTS

Despite largely positive feedback from the strangers who viewed Adaptr, it was incredibly hard to dive traffic to our MVP website and even harder to get them to put their personal email down for a discount code.  after a week of Adaptr blowing up in the design, tech and social media communities we still only had 114 unique hits on our MVP and2 people signed up for the discount code.  The ratio of 1.7% is promising but we simply need more time and budget to truly get the feedback necessary to ensure the product was actually viable.