Where can I find someone to help me design a product idea that I have?
I'm looking for someone who can help me create a prototype for a small
non-electronic invention for use in the home.

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Request for Question Clarification by cath-ga on 12 Nov 2002 10:23 PST

Hi td99,

any more info you can give me on your invention? Just a general category
(kitchen gadget, garden tool...) or type of materials used? There are
designers out there, but they probably specialize. Thanks for any
direction you can give me. cath-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by cath-ga on 12 Nov 2002 10:25 PST

Hi again,

perhaps your location would be useful, then I could send you to folks
in your area. Thanks again, cath-ga

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Clarification of Question by td99-ga on 12 Nov 2002 13:42 PST

invention is an innovation on basic child step stool. Materials could
be plastic, aluminum etc. would actually like engineer to make
recommendation for best materials. I'm in NYC.

Dear td-99,

Thanks for your clarification. The companies I have found are not
necessarily close to you, but I think one of them could fit the
bill. 

T-2 Design and Prototyping in Santa Monica, CA looks very promising.
Their
website is at:

http://www.t2inventions.com/

They have designed a number of simple household items. 

There’s another company called Ask Patent Company, which leads
inventors through the whole process: prototype design, patenting,
marketing and legal help. The CEO of the company Kevin Sandmann,
has an Engineering and Design background, so could advise you on
materials. You can find Ask Patent at:

http://www.askpatentco.com/

There’s a collection of seven websites, called PatentCafe that
includes patenting, prototype design, marketing and manufacturing
services.
You’d probably want to start at the “Inventors Café,” at:

http://www.patentcafe.com/inventors_cafe/3_invention_prototypes.asp

Then from there you can move to their prototype development center
where they introduce their designers, Masterpiece Models:

http://www.patentcafe.com/businesscenters/prototype_center.asp

Some of their products look a little more complex than you described,
but they might be helpful.

If you wanted to exhibit your invention at the Invention and New
Product Exposition in May of 2003, but didn’t yet have a prototype,
you
can have a  “virtual prototype”  made on CD-ROM, that can be viewed
and manipulated in 3-D. You can see the “virtual prototype” the INPEX
site at:

http://www.inventionshow.com/03_exhibiting/exh_virtual_prototype.shtml

There is another full-service inventor’s company called Jacob
Enterprises, at:

http://www.inventionhome.com/

They handle prototype design but may want to give you more help than
you really want. 

The search terms I used were: "product prototype design" and
"invention
prototype."

Anyway, good luck with your invention. I always admire creativity in
any arena. If these companies are not helpful to you, please ask me
for
extra help (they call it "answer clarification" )before rating this
answer. Glad to be of service! cath-ga

Excellent work and rapid response. Many options offered and much
consideration given to answers.