As a product designer, you’re probably fascinated by successful crowdfunding campaigns–because whether or not the vendors actually deliver the product, the campaigns are a barometer of current consumer tastes and desires. These can often be surprising. There’s bound to be several items on this list that make you go, “Whoa, they clocked how much?“

Sometimes the crowdfunded inventions are an improved version of an existing object. Other times it’s an entirely new object. Sometimes they’re tools that help you make things, other times they’re meant to improve the UX of some chore. A lot of the successful campaigns target a subculture that the market is not adequately serving.

If you look over this list of what crowdfunding campaigns did well this year, I hope it will encourage you to come up with your own ideas and consider crowdfunding them in 2022. Ask yourself if you could have pulled off any of these ideas below yourself—or done better!

Target Market: General – Promises Better UX for Some Mundane Task

PressDrain

A tub/shower drain that cuts the hair stuck inside when you step on it, supposedly keeping the drain clear.

Funding Target: $1,000

Actually Funded: $167,517

LensHD

An automatic eyeglass lenses cleaner.

Funding Target: $1,000

Actually Funded: $369,908

Couch Console

Stores snack food, drink, remote control, tech objects on your couch, so you don’t have to reach all the way to the coffee table.

Funding Target: $15,000

Actually Funded: $2,380,072

Edge

Magnetic charging brackets that allow you to stick smartphone or lights off the side of your laptop.

Funding Target: €10,000 (USD $11,308)

Actually Funded: €520,962 (USD $589,127)

Snactiv

Wearable chopsticks, for eating messy snacks while using a computer.

Funding Target: $20,000

Actually Funded: $41,700

Monchi

A snack container designed to let you eat without touching the food.

Funding Target: SGD $12,000 (USD $8,833)

Actually Funded: SGD $ 34,559 (USD $25,452)

Target Market: Digital Fabrication Enthusiasts

ScanMira

A 3D-printed mirror holder to make 3D scanning with an iPhone ergonomically easier. Optional turntable with remote control.

Funding Target: CAD $1,000 (USD $780)

Actually Funded: CAD $28,225 (USD $22,023)

LaserPecker 2

A small, handheld or desktop open-bed laser engraver/cutter.

Funding Target: HKD $77,530 (USD $9,941)

Actually Funded: HKD $45,971,347 (USD $5,894,609)

Target Market: Home Cooking/Food Enthusiasts

The Midnight Slice

An ergonomic pizza slicer designed by an ex-aerospace-engineer.

Funding Target: $25,000

Actually Funded: $235,664

The Misen Oven Steel

A 10″ x 13.5″ steel plate that you place in your oven to stabilize the temperature while baking.

Funding Target: $25,000

Actually Funded: $1,700,994

Target Market: Cyclists

Titanum MyTi

3D-printed titanium bike pedals.

Funding Target: €24,700 (USD $27,938)

Actually Funded: €59,173 (USD $66,929)

Target Market: Cyclist-Photographers

Makers in Motion Camera Strap

A fast-access camera strap for cyclists.

Funding Target: $6,000

Actually Funded: $12,431

Target Market: Photographers

The Alice Camera

A camera body with a micro 4/3 lens mount. Your smartphone serves as the monitor.

Funding Target: $26,822

Actually Funded: $192,004

Target Market: Tech Lovers

The Nixoid Next

A Nixie tube wristwatch.

Funding Target: $10,000

Actually Funded: $364,207

Splay

Book-sized object that unfolds into a monitor or projector.

Funding Target: $10,000

Actually Funded: $335,903

Sirius Earbuds

Heavily-styled, low-cost wireless earbuds.

Funding Target: $10,000

Actually Funded: $443,120

Target Market: (Probably Hobbyist) Creatives

The Drillog Dip Pen

A metal pen that you dip in ink, like a quill.

Funding Target: ¥1,800,000 (USD $15,739)

Actually Funded: ¥21,134,419 (USD $184,800)

Target Market: Unknown (i.e. “Who the F buys this S”)

EDC Fan

A titanium folding fan for…breaking windows.

Funding Target: $10,000

Actually Funded: $215,183

The Meazor

A handheld digital measuring tool.

Funding Target: HKD $233,030 (USD $29,879)

Actually Funded: HKD $2,130,502 (USD $273,170)

The Re-Ruler

A magnetic transforming multi-part ruler.

Funding Target: HKD $10,000 (USD $1,282)

Actually Funded: HKD $638,189 (USD $81,828)

Hexagonal Ruler 2.0

Metal hexagonal drawing aids.

Funding Target: HKD $20,000 (USD $2,564)

Actually Funded: HKD $511,015 (USD $65,522)

Stoggles

Safety glasses with extra plastic on sides. I’m not kidding about the manufacturer’s suggested application, which is to prevent you from touching your eyes through the sides:

Funding Target: Unknown

Actually Funded: $3,057,412

_________________________

On the flip side, you may want to check out:

Kickstarter Projects That Made It Into the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum Store