About

Press Kit

Kickstarter alum IDRAW Creative Goods sought to improve upon the current lot of cheaply made, poorly designed pencil sharpeners on the market and we've done just that with our newest products, the IDRAW Electric & Manual Pencil Sharpeners.

Electric + Manual Sharpeners in Satin Silver Finish. *Laser etched logo subject to change

A pencil sharpener for the modern age

The IDRAW Electric Pencil Sharpener is the world's first premium, compact, portable USB Rechargeable Pencil Sharpener.

The most important tool in any creative’s toolbox is the pencil and we’ve made it our goal to keep that pencil sharp so creatives can keep on creating. By re-imagining the sharpening experience from the ground-up we were able to design something completely new, filling the unmet need for a premium, portable rechargeable pencil sharpener.

Uncompromising quality

Designed with premium materials for a premium experience, the IDRAW Pencil Sharpeners are constructed of Aircraft-Grade 6061 T6 Aluminum and injection molded ABS for durability and beauty. Over time, the sharpeners will improve with wear resulting in a beautiful Wabi-Sabi finish.

Edge Detail

Satin Silver, Tactical Black and Ltd. Edition Gold Anodized finishes

Engineered Precision

Sure, we could have used off-the-shelf parts to construct the internal assembly, but after pulling apart several store-bought pencil sharpeners we knew we could do better. We’ve designed and sourced a high-powered custom-spec inline gear motor, lithium ion battery and custom designed PCB to handle charging from a 5v USB power source.

With a focus on simplicity and ease of use, we’ve developed a configuration that puts a priority on sharpening and shaving management, resulting in an altogether balanced package that feels great in the hand and fits snugly in a pocket.

Portability is key for creatives, so we worked tirelessly with our suppliers to minimize components and shrink the footprint of our design. In the end the work was worth it, as we've achieved a beautiful, functional design that goes where you go - no strings attached.

Our custom engineered slide simplifies shavings disposal - something creatives do several times a day. Simply slide, ditch the shavings and slide back into place. An elegant aesthetic that nods to function yet doesn't distract or demand attention.

Our Process

This project has been an exciting one for us, and what kind of Industrial Designers would we be if we didn't show you our work? Here's a look at our design process beginning January 2013.

Master Prototype tweaks in the shop:

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Master Prototype sharpens 10 Prisma pencils in 28 minutes

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Specifications

We've worked with our suppliers to source components and materials of the highest quality and efficiency. If any components must change, we will be sure to send out an update with any impact to the design or timeline.

Funding

We've been designing, refining and re-designing for the last 11 months to get to this point. After countless mock-ups, form studies, electrical + mechanical tests we are finally ready to take our working prototypes to the next level and we need Kickstarter - and you - to get us there.

The funds will be used for the following:

$45,000 - Moulds for our Die-Cast Aluminum and ABS Plastic Injection Molded Parts. We've built in funds to cover two rounds of tooling in order to make any changes as needed after first run parts are made.

$10,000 - PCB Design, Development and testing costs. Our PCB vendor is experienced working locally in Michigan, as well as Asia and India. Backed by a team of Designers, Engineers and Manufacturers we're confident we will receive a premium product.

$25,000 - Design development, Electrical Engineering and Quality Control costs from project end until final delivery. This also includes funds to cover trips to Shenzhen to meet with our various vendors.

Vendors

We've sourced vendors for all components of our design - from our custom-spec gear motors and blades to our machined aluminum and injection molded plastic - and we will be working closely with them to ensure that the final product is of the highest possible finish quality.

After many hours of Skype chats and emails regarding specs, lead times, MOQ's, RFQ's and DIM's we've narrowed our main vendors down to 5 in order to simplify assembly and logistics. We are confident in who we've chosen to move forward with; after having ordered and tested samples from many other vendors we've seen the good, the bad and the ugly.

We went with the good, in case you're wondering.

Timeline

As professional Industrial Designers, we are familiar with the processes involved with having precision parts made to spec. We will stick to this timeline as closely as possible and promise to keep you all in the loop with updates along the way.

Fulfillment

This isn't our first rodeo.

IDRAW has had two previously successful Kickstarter Campaigns and we know what it takes to communicate consistently and deliver promptly. Having tried both indie fulfillment as well as contracted fulfillment help, there simply is no better way to stay in contact with our pledgers and our product than by personally packing and shipping every single pledge ourselves. It's the right thing to do.

Rewards

Creators

Matt Marrocco

Chicago-based Industrial Designer Matt Marrocco has built the IDRAW brand over the last 2 years with 2 successful Kickstarter projects. When he's not designing for clients or working on the next IDRAW project, he is hanging with his beautiful wife, cycling around Chicago or playing with their bulldogs.

@MattMarrocco

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Brave Cadet

Daniel Schaumann

Industrial Designer and Materials Engineer by day, bicycle frame builder and tinkerer by night, Daniel Schaumann is possessed by an insatiable curiosity for the world around him. When he's not designing for clients, shredding trails, or brazing up his latest custom-built frame, he's spending time with his family, cooking or playing fetch with his pooch.

@DanielSchaumann

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Pachyderm.cc

Connect with IDRAW

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http://idraw.co

Special Thanks

Huge thanks to our wives Kerry Marrocco and Amanda Schaumann for their undying love, support and encouragement.

Katie Ozamiz & Trevis Kurz at Inch and Mile - Makerspace

Brian Levin - Cinematographer, Editor

Joe Carpita - Producer, Photographer, Strategist