Linkmount: Do More With Your Phone
Have you ever accidentally dropped your smartphone and lost a bunch of valuable content? Do you worry about not always being able to find a compatible dock for your phone? Are you looking for an easier way to create better content on your smartphone?
Toshi Sakagutchi and Lukas Scheurer, owners/founders of the newly created Plust Design Firm based in Providence, RI, can help. The two recent RISD graduates are the creators of Linkmount, a product designed for people who use their smartphones daily as an indispensable business tool. With the Linkmount system, you can dock your phone anywhere, produce higher quality photos and content, and set your phone safely on its magnetic holder on just about any surface.
The Kickstarter project began when the Plust team discovered a type of tape used in industrial and architectural applications to replace mechanical fasteners. Although incredibly powerful, a standard piece of dental floss can be used to “uninstall” it.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Fresh out of RISD, the two engineer/designers quickly learned the “does” and “don’ts” that can turn an unknown start-up into a thriving business. “Early on, working with a Chinese supplier,” Sakagutchi recalls, “we became frustrated by their slow response and their seeming indifference to our needs as their customer.”
“When we finally received the sample tape we’d ordered,” Scheurer adds. “it was incorrect. And so we turned to an American supplier, Leedon Webbing Inc., just a 10-minute drive from us in Central Falls. We were completely blown away at the difference in service. Leedon made the same sample for us within a week, free of charge! That’s how much they wanted our business.”
Leedon’s owner, John, is now a good friend and a Linkmount beta tester. He is currently mass producing the webbing product for Plust Design.
Based on his years of experience, Leedon also suggested using polyester for their product vs nylon, their original choice. “It just works much better,” Sakagutchi says.
Now all Plust’s suppliers are considered “partners” and they act as mentors because they take the time to know the product. What’s more, they realize that their customers’ success helps contribute to their success.
Scheurer says, “We have people like John in every aspect of our production process now. And every one of our manufacturing partners has a Linkmount on their desk and understands the big picture of what we are trying to accomplish. We constantly get phone calls and emails with new suggestions and ideas.“ Unlike larger companies, Plust does not have the resources to be building relationships over language, cultural, geographic, and time zone barriers.
“We are just two kids trying to get an idea off the ground,” says Scheurer.
“And by staying in America we have a diverse support network of experts helping us make it happen. Our Product consists of ten parts, all of which we are making within 50 miles of Providence.”
INTRODUCING THE LINKMOUNT
The Linkmount is a device for creative people who want to produce better content, view that content more easily on their smartphone, and have a new and different experience with their phone.
Basically it is a three-part system: the Linkmount, Adjustable Leash, and Simplemount. The Linkmount is installed on your phone to enhance and improve it ergonomically and enhance its “usability.” The system can be installed on any phone or case with a rigid, flat back.
When creating this product, the Plust team used their skills as Industrial designers to prototype, test, build and refine it. “With hundreds of prototypes and changes, “ declares Sakagutchi , “We believe we have created a completely unique and beautiful ‘gadget’ that adds several functions to your smartphone. The available products on the market today force the user to carry separate, disparate products that are often proprietary to a single phone model. The standard Linkmount System comes with one Linkmount, three Simplemounts, an adjustable leash, and a customized DIY Clip. It will be offered at a Kickstarter backer special price for $28 (MSRP $35).
Picture This
New smartphones now have the ability to generate print quality photos and HD video. The Linkmount incorporates a universal 1/4-20 thread that allows your phone to mate with any Tripod that is on the market assuring complete stability. And whether you are video chatting, showing off photos, or watching a video, the Linkmount will prop up your phone for hands free viewing.
Get a Grip
One of the team’s primary concerns was the added bulk to peoples phones. After over 100 tests of the Linkmount prototype, it was determined that its streamlined design can actually change how secure you feel holding your phone.
Sakagutchi says, “Everyone is carrying a computer around in their pockets these days and there are plenty of products that protect it from damage when you drop your phone, but we thought--why not prevent dropping it altogether?”
Just Click It
With the use of a powerful little neodymium magnet that clicks onto your Linkmount, there are now literally hundreds of places that you can magnetically mount your phone safely: in the kitchen to look up recipes, in the car to navigate, or even on your headboard as an alarm clock. The Simplemount can also be used as an organization system for tools, keys, kitchen goods, etc. The magnet does not effect your phone in any way.
From its current number of customers and the amazingly rapid growth Plust is presently experiencing, it’s pretty clear these two young creative designers/engineers/ businessmen have found their direct line to success.
If you would like to contact Lukas or Toshi about their Kickstarter project Linkmount, you can reach them at connect@plustdesign.com.
Visit the website at www.linkmount.com
by Rob Mariani
Assistant Editor
Toshi Sakagutchi and Lukas Scheurer, owners/founders of the newly created Plust Design Firm based in Providence, RI, can help. The two recent RISD graduates are the creators of Linkmount, a product designed for people who use their smartphones daily as an indispensable business tool. With the Linkmount system, you can dock your phone anywhere, produce higher quality photos and content, and set your phone safely on its magnetic holder on just about any surface.
The Kickstarter project began when the Plust team discovered a type of tape used in industrial and architectural applications to replace mechanical fasteners. Although incredibly powerful, a standard piece of dental floss can be used to “uninstall” it.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Fresh out of RISD, the two engineer/designers quickly learned the “does” and “don’ts” that can turn an unknown start-up into a thriving business. “Early on, working with a Chinese supplier,” Sakagutchi recalls, “we became frustrated by their slow response and their seeming indifference to our needs as their customer.”
“When we finally received the sample tape we’d ordered,” Scheurer adds. “it was incorrect. And so we turned to an American supplier, Leedon Webbing Inc., just a 10-minute drive from us in Central Falls. We were completely blown away at the difference in service. Leedon made the same sample for us within a week, free of charge! That’s how much they wanted our business.”
Leedon’s owner, John, is now a good friend and a Linkmount beta tester. He is currently mass producing the webbing product for Plust Design.
Based on his years of experience, Leedon also suggested using polyester for their product vs nylon, their original choice. “It just works much better,” Sakagutchi says.
Now all Plust’s suppliers are considered “partners” and they act as mentors because they take the time to know the product. What’s more, they realize that their customers’ success helps contribute to their success.
Scheurer says, “We have people like John in every aspect of our production process now. And every one of our manufacturing partners has a Linkmount on their desk and understands the big picture of what we are trying to accomplish. We constantly get phone calls and emails with new suggestions and ideas.“ Unlike larger companies, Plust does not have the resources to be building relationships over language, cultural, geographic, and time zone barriers.
“We are just two kids trying to get an idea off the ground,” says Scheurer.
“And by staying in America we have a diverse support network of experts helping us make it happen. Our Product consists of ten parts, all of which we are making within 50 miles of Providence.”
INTRODUCING THE LINKMOUNT
The Linkmount is a device for creative people who want to produce better content, view that content more easily on their smartphone, and have a new and different experience with their phone.
Basically it is a three-part system: the Linkmount, Adjustable Leash, and Simplemount. The Linkmount is installed on your phone to enhance and improve it ergonomically and enhance its “usability.” The system can be installed on any phone or case with a rigid, flat back.
When creating this product, the Plust team used their skills as Industrial designers to prototype, test, build and refine it. “With hundreds of prototypes and changes, “ declares Sakagutchi , “We believe we have created a completely unique and beautiful ‘gadget’ that adds several functions to your smartphone. The available products on the market today force the user to carry separate, disparate products that are often proprietary to a single phone model. The standard Linkmount System comes with one Linkmount, three Simplemounts, an adjustable leash, and a customized DIY Clip. It will be offered at a Kickstarter backer special price for $28 (MSRP $35).
Picture This
New smartphones now have the ability to generate print quality photos and HD video. The Linkmount incorporates a universal 1/4-20 thread that allows your phone to mate with any Tripod that is on the market assuring complete stability. And whether you are video chatting, showing off photos, or watching a video, the Linkmount will prop up your phone for hands free viewing.
Get a Grip
One of the team’s primary concerns was the added bulk to peoples phones. After over 100 tests of the Linkmount prototype, it was determined that its streamlined design can actually change how secure you feel holding your phone.
Sakagutchi says, “Everyone is carrying a computer around in their pockets these days and there are plenty of products that protect it from damage when you drop your phone, but we thought--why not prevent dropping it altogether?”
Just Click It
With the use of a powerful little neodymium magnet that clicks onto your Linkmount, there are now literally hundreds of places that you can magnetically mount your phone safely: in the kitchen to look up recipes, in the car to navigate, or even on your headboard as an alarm clock. The Simplemount can also be used as an organization system for tools, keys, kitchen goods, etc. The magnet does not effect your phone in any way.
From its current number of customers and the amazingly rapid growth Plust is presently experiencing, it’s pretty clear these two young creative designers/engineers/ businessmen have found their direct line to success.
If you would like to contact Lukas or Toshi about their Kickstarter project Linkmount, you can reach them at connect@plustdesign.com.
Visit the website at www.linkmount.com
by Rob Mariani
Assistant Editor