[dropcap]K[/dropcap]ickstarter and Chicago design have gone hand-in-hand since its inception in 2009. The global crowdfunding site has helped endless creative projects and designs gain the backing they need to launch their concepts to the next level. Scott Wilson, founder and principal designer of the Chicago-based design firm MINIMAL, implemented Kickstarter in 2010 to raise capital for the team’s TikTok and LunaTik projects. These iPod Nano watches were abundantly 
successful in their fundraising venture, amassing over $900,000 in donations from the campaign (over sixty times the projected goal.)
DesignHouse, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting locally-based manufacturing by designing products based on the skills and capabilities of said manufacturers. Opposed to the traditional scheme of designers creating products, finding manufacturers and distribution, and often ending up with production being done abroad, DesignHouse’s idea is to begin with the manufacturer, analyze their strengths and abilities, and design around them to create a line of products that can be made locally. The team at DesignHouse has put together their first official Kickstarter for a product they call REVEAL.
REVEAL is an updated take on the traditional photo frame. Because digital photos no longer require the protection of being placed behind glass, the frame has eliminated the glass portion of the frame and simplified the design for easy swapping of photos. The simple yet elegant aesthetic and functionality provide consumers with a much more modern take on the classic photo stand. And, in accordance with DesignHouse’s approach, the product is slated to be produced by metal fabricator SKOL, a manufacturer based on Chicago’s north side.
To learn more about DesignHouse and the REVEAL, or to donate to their cause, visit their website and Kickstarter page below.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/designhousechi/1731351706?token=7452361b
[divider]
Written by Scott Froemming for Design Engine | 10/11/2014