My alpha prototype - week 6

My updated gap
To make a centre display for a table which is interesting and functions as a candlestick holder
And user needs
1. Modern design
2. Interesting concept
3. Aesthetic and stylish
4. Hold a candle and function safely as a candle holder

I have experimented with different round Perspex acrylic circles fitted to
the top to collect any melting candle wax so the candle wax doesnt run
so easily down the candlestick holder and on to the table
I tried 6mm thick circle which look too
heavy aesthetically so I cut the circles
again in 3mm clear acrylic.











I feel my design has a sexy aesthetic value. When the acrylic is cut by the laser cutter it leaves the
edges glossy smooth and reflective which catches the light and accentuates the curves, maybe
symbolic of female form, there is maleness about the shape too.
I am a little undecided about the very bottom of the candlestick whether it should sit on another
acrylic circle, but I dont think, I tried it and didnt like it.
An additional accident is the misty shadows when sunlight
passes through the acrylic and makes further patterns on the
wall or table.
One user suggested that I design a range of candleholders and
suggested a candlestick holder that could hold 3 or 4 candles.










I intent to take my prototype to a design shop to get
some feedback


My alpha prototype
Final version on the right with the thinner 3mm circle
on the top to catch the wax


Material costs
Description Bulk
Price
UK
Price for each
one in UK
I can cut five candleholders out of a 5mm clear acrylic
1000 x 600 sheet
21.62 4.33
Acrylic tube, I can cut twelve out of it 1.30 0.11
3mm acrylic circle on top, I can cut twenty out of it 4.32 0.22
Delivery of acrylic from England to Switzerland approx. 20.00 5.00
Packaging cardboard box with clear window plus printing
label approx.
5.00 5.00
Total materials 52.24 14.66

It takes about 50 minutes to cut each candlestick holder on the laser cutter including assembly and
packaging. I dont own the equipment or laser cutter but I can use them for free.
So basically if I add my time

Overall costs for a limited number up to 200 units per unit before having to rethink production
methods.
Description Calculating
costs for each
unit in UK
Calculating
costs for each
unit in CHF
Materials 14.66 22.00
My time manufacture - 60 minutes 40.00 60.00
My time processing an order - 20 minutes 14.00 21.00
Total wholesale selling price per unit 68.00 102.00
Total wholesale selling price per 10 units (includes just
one processing order cost)
560.00 845.00
European wide postage from Switzerland, total weight of
product 211g (Mini pac priority fast small parcel post
postage max 500g) per unit
10.00 15.00
Postage to the rest of the world from Switzerland per unit

13.00 20.00

This excludes the set up costs of designing and developing sales contacts or a developing a website
and website costs for direct sales.
If I were to make them in low numbers say 20 to 200 that would be fine but if I had an order for
2000 I would look around for a manufacturer to make them for me.