A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
Hey there! I’m Rachel Mark, the creator of Tiny Climbers miniature novelty climbing hold magnets & tacks. I’m a professional painter and sculptor for stop-motion animation living in Los Angeles, CA. I am a miniatures enthusiast, and a rock climber!
This has been a labor of love for me from start to finish. I’ve been developing these magnets and thumb tacks for over a year, and in the past four months I’ve taken 20 unique climbing hold designs from initial clay concept all the way through prototyping, 3D printing, molding, and now small run manufacturing.
Tiny Climbers in action, route set your fridge and get inspired to return to the gym ASAP!
Earlier this year I made the finished products available for purchase in limited quantities online and in climbing gyms, and based on initial sales figures (and really great feedback from fellow climbers), I feel confident predicting that Tiny Climbers will have a bright future in a bigger market.
Tiny Climbers small run manufacturing, all cast and packaged by hand here in Los Angeles, CA.
I believe that Tiny Climbers are ready to make the jump into larger-scale production, and I need help funding this next big step so that I can create bigger quantities, more quickly, and at tinier prices for you, my fabulous climbing community!
Back in 2014, a new climbing gym opened near my apartment and my group of friends all started climbing at the same time. We had so much fun combining socializing and exercise, and felt like we were part of a new community too. It quickly became our favorite pastime.
That Christmas I was invited to a Secret Santa gift exchange and the friend I got was an avid climber. I wanted to give them something climbing-related, but climbing gear is really personal and climbers always want to do their own research before they get new gear. (We are basically ridiculously picky and nearly impossible to buy for.) There was also a $25 price limit for the Secret Santa gift, and I’m an artist and I love making gifts for my friends, so I figured I could make something nice by hand and still stay within the budget.
One day I was sitting at work, surrounded by miniatures, and I realized I could make teeny tiny miniature climbing holds! I sculpted twenty different miniature holds, and cast them as thumbtacks in a bunch of bright, beautiful colors. I also made a special cork board to go with them that I painted gray to look like a rock wall, and decorated it with photos of my friend climbing.
I was so happy with the result that I decided to cheat a little at Secret Santa and make this gift for everyone. I ended up giving each friend their own individual board with photos of them climbing tacked to it. They were totally blown away, and I was pretty proud of myself for winning Christmas that year!
And that’s how Tiny Climbers were born! Ever since then they have been an amazing gift that I’ve gotten to share with people. When I meet new climbers, or get a new friend interested in climbing, I give them their own set. It feels so wonderful to share my art with people, even in such a small and simple way!
Currently, I am making Tiny Climbers with silicone molds that I make myself. This works well for small-scale production, but unfortunately the molds deteriorate quickly and I have to halt production to replace them about every three weeks.
Additionally, hand-casting magnets is a slow and expensive process. Even with an assistant helping me full-time, we can only really create and package about 50 routes per week. We’re already struggling to keep up with new orders, and frequently have to close the online store while we replenish stock. In order for this business to be profitable right now, I have to charge more per set than I’d like. The bottom line is, I want to be able to produce Tiny Climbers better, faster, and cheaper for you!
For this Kickstarter, my goal is to fund machine injection casting for the two most popular sets, “Crimps & Edges” and “Jugs and Slopers”. This will enable production at a much higher volume and at a lower per-product cost.
The bulk of the funding (about $20,000) will go towards producing the molding tools for high-volume injection casting. Plastic injection molding is a manufacturing process where resin in a barrel is heated to a molten state, then injected into a mold to form a final production-grade thermoplastic part.
A single aluminium mold can produce well over 50,000 parts before needing to be replaced, greatly reducing production costs. Each set of Tiny Climbers routes (a group of five pieces) needs a “Family Mold” tool which offers an efficient and economical way to produce a set of different plastic parts in a single mold, and it costs upwards of $10,000 to create the tool.
I’ve taken 20 unique designs from initial clay concept, all the way through 3D modeling, 3D printed prototyping, molding, and now small-run manufacturing.
ZBrush models of rough designs for 3D printing prototypes.
The 3D models are already created. The next step is getting these files converted for manufacturing for CNC machining. This will be used to create the aluminum molds for the industrial injection molding process.
Once finalized, the climbing holds will need to be converted into CNC files for manufacturing.
This reward is the finished product, a Tiny Climbers route! Each route contains five unique, miniature climbing holds cast in colorful UV-resistant resin with either steel tacks or super strong neodymium magnet backings.
Customize Your Rewards:
Set Style - Each with five unique holds: “Jugs & Slopers” or “Crimps & Edges”
Color - Seven original colors to choose from: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, or Black
SPECIAL BONUS COLORS - For my wonderful Kickstarter supporters, you’ll also get early access to TWO ADDITIONAL COLORS: a RAINBOW assortment, and by popular demand, HOT PINK!
Backing style - Magnets or Thumb Tacks
Prototypes of "Crimps & Edges" on the left, and "Jugs & Slopers" on the right.
LIMITED EDITION Route Starts are hand painted by me personally to look chalked, have real socket head bolt details, and a special custom route card, NAMED BY YOU!
Examples of Custom Route Starts from various pop-up shops and events!
Customize Your Rewards:
Route Tag Icon - Submit your own route tag icon
Route Name - 15 character limit (Example: "On your mark!")
Route Rating - 5 character limit (Examples: "5.10a", "V6", etc...)
Bolt Color - Select between black or silver socket head screw
LIMITED EDITION Chalked Routes are an entire set of Tiny Climbers! You choose the style and color, hand painted by me personally to look "chalked", with real bolt details, and a custom route start card.
Sample of Chalked Route with Custom Route Start!
Customize Your Rewards:
Set Style - Each with five unique holds: “Jugs & Slopers” or “Crimps & Edges”
Color - Seven original colors to choose from: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, or Black
SPECIAL BONUS COLORS - for my wonderful Kickstarter supporters, you’ll also get early access to TWO ADDITIONAL COLORS: a RAINBOW assortment, and by popular demand, HOT PINK!
Backing style - Magnets or Thumb Tacks
Route Tag Icon - Submit your own route tag icon
Route Name - 15 character limit (Example: "On your mark!")
Route Rating - 6 character limit (Examples: "5.10a", "V6", etc...)
Bolt Color - Select between black or silver socket head screw
One of the other things that I’m really excited about is that I’ve partnered with ALee Russell, from Rock and Ice Magazine. She's their graphic designer and draws their comics, and is also a very avid rock climber! She’s going to be creating a small comic for Tiny Climbers that will come with each route to help you learn how to route set your fridge!
Example graphics for 3 inch "Climb-on" water proof vinyl sticker!
To get the two most popular route sets produced, I need to raise over $28,000. Here’s the funding breakdown:
$2,500: Kickstarter fees, bank processing and transfer fees, and a small cushion for backer cancellations
$20,000: This is where the bulk of the funding will go; it costs about $10,000 to get a “Family Mold” produced for each set of five holds, and I want to create molds for the two most popular routes: “Jugs & Slopers” and “Crimps & Edges”.
$2,500: Produce and assemble backer reward magnets using the new manufacturing process
$3,000: Estimated real shipping costs and packaging supplies. (Actual costs will vary depending on backer geographical distribution.)
With every $15,000 pledged beyond the $28,000 goal I can create a new industrial strength mold and fulfill new rewards.
$43,000: “Slopers” set will be molded and made available in backer reward choices
$58,000: “Pinches” set will be molded and made available in backer reward choices
For my husband, Aaron, thank you for being my sounding board as well as a grounding force in my life, and for trusting me to take this leap. To my parents, Jean and David, thank you for always believing in me and supporting the early development of this project. To Jen, thank you for sitting by my side every step of the way with love and enthusiasm, and for being my spark of motivation.
I have so much gratitude for all of the wonderful people in my life, and to everyone that has nudged me along the way, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Here are all of the wonderful people who collaborated with me on this project:
Rachel Mark - Hey! That's me, the creator and designer of Tiny Climbers (www.racheldmark.com)
Annie Rush - 3D Modeling in ZBrush, and fellow climber; brought my clay sculptures into the digital world (@itesser)
Kei Chong - 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping, helped me quickly iterate on my designs
Miles Votek - Molding and Casting, taught me how to create my own molds (www.milesvotek.com)
Jen Wiley - Product Photographer, marketing manager, fellow climber, and all around cheerleader (@the_wiley_wanderer)
ALee Russell - Logo and Packaging Design, another fellow climber (www.aleerussell.com)
Moving to larger scale manufacturing has several well-defined challenges: creating the injection molding tool; assembling the products post-manufacturing; designing a packaging solution for larger scale operations; and of course, everyone’s favorite risk, shipping Backer Rewards on schedule.
I have identified an established manufacturer locally in Los Angeles that can help produce this project cost effectively. I am currently narrowing down the list of assembly and packaging facilities, and have a small team of reliable misfits standing by, ready to help with order fulfillment when the time comes!
I will keep you updated every step of the way through the production process and let you know as we get vendors locked in!
One for you and one for that special belay partner or spotter -- or keep 'em both to yourself, no judgement here! You get to pick two different styles and colors.
Includes:
2×
Set of Tiny Climbers (You choose style and color)
In addition to two sets of Tiny Climbers, you get a LIMITED EDITION Route Start! LE Route Starts are painted by hand to look chalked, have real socket head bolt details, and a special custom route card, NAMED BY YOU!
Options:
+ Route Name has 15 character limit (Example: "On your mark!")
+ Rating (Examples: "5.10a", "V6", etc...)
Includes:
LIMITED EDITION Route Start
2×
Set of Tiny Climbers (You choose style and color)
Turn your fridge into a climbing gym, and still have sets to share with your crew! This comes with 6 sets of Tiny Climbers (you choose style and color).
I will also throw in some extra stickers and postcards!
Includes:
6×
Set of Tiny Climbers (You choose style and color)
In addition to 6 Sets of Tiny Climbers you get a LIMITED EDITION Chalked Route.
Each LE Chalked Route is an entire set of Tiny Climbers, you choose style and color, hand painted to look "chalked", with bolt details, and customize your route start.
I will also throw in some extra stickers and postcards!
Includes:
LIMITED EDITION Chalked Route
6×
Set of Tiny Climbers (You choose style and color)