How to Kickstart a Design Philosophy

Designers demo clothes they have created to demonstrate their design philosophy.

Kickstarter.com is a website that funds projects by artists, authors, designers, musicians and other creative people by asking for pledges amounting to different donations. According to Kickstarter, money only changes hands if the project meets its goal within the established time frame. Most people looking to get their project funded on Kickstarter use specific strategies to entice pledges from people interested in their product, including exclusive deals, samples and other unique offers.

Instructions

1. Post examples of your design philosophy. Since a philosophy is an abstract idea, you will need to provide pictures of clothes that you have designed to give potential pledges a concrete idea of what makes your design philosophy unique and worth contributing money to support.

2. Define your goals. Since a philosophy as an idea itself doesn't require money, explain on your Kickstarter how your specific idea of design requires special tools or materials that pledges will give money for. You may also describe how you are raising money to rent a studio space in which to realize your design philosophy or start your own small business.

3. Offer rewards. According to Kickstarter, people will be much more likely to pledge money and help you meet your goal within the time frame allowed if you offer them incentives. Examples of incentives would be a free piece of clothing for each pledge over $100, an invitation to the opening gala for your studio for donations of $50 or a "meet the designer" Q&A session for pledges of $25.

4. Publicize your efforts. Even if you have laid out the perfect fundraising plan, you will not meet your goal unless you advertise your design philosophy. This may be as simple as telling all of your friends on Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word or as complicated as hosting a fashion show in order to create buzz about your design philosophy, depending on your budget and motivation.

5. Adapt your Kickstarter project as needed. If the deadline is approaching and you still need a considerable number of pledges, consider altering your rewards offers or lowering your total goal in order to obtain the actual money from your pledges. Be sure to communicate with your existing pledges and continue publicizing your efforts to keep everyone current on your progress.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a combination of social networking sites and real world interaction. While people may be initially interested after seeing your design philosophy on the internet, they are more likely to pledge money to you after meeting and talking to you.

• Set reasonable goals. If you are new to the design world, don't aim for the stars at first. Be realistic in your scope and don't try to raise more money than you absolutely need to realize your design philosophy.

• Be prompt in thanking your pledges and giving them their rewards. You may lose future customers and valuable allies if you disregard the promises you have made to people on the way to realizing your dream.

References

• Kickstarter.com: FAQ