Sex is everywhere, but it seems that most people forget this most celebrated universal addiction. We get so caught up about being sexually normal that we forget that the entire world is having sex. The only normal element is that we are all doing it differently. Take a look outside your window. Old people, young people, your parents, bosses, even that weird couple across the street, they all have sex. It’s really not a big deal. Everybody deserves a great sex life, not just porn-stars and ridiculously good looking people. Yet for most of history, people have tried to regulate your sexuality. Did you know masturbation was once considered punishable by death? Sex toys are still illegal in some parts of the Unites States. And Sodomy Laws still exist (yes, that means butt sex will send you to JAIL). No wonder any conversation involving sex toys can cause some to freak out and inspire others to get freaky.
I have been a part of this growing industry starting five years ago and I can tell you that there is incredible untapped opportunity for designers in this business. The first question I usually get after exchanging business cards is how I got started in this industry. I usually prefer to announce with a big smile, “You should follow your passions!”, and then slightly more serious, “Well, why not?” All designers have a passion to create products that improves peoples lives. Passion, laughter, human touch, desire are all deep emotions and basic necessities that a designer may channel when developing new concepts. The story behind the sex toy product is no different. The reluctance comes from decades of marketing sex toys in the same space as pornography (nothing wrong with good porn though). Of course there are other social issues, but from my experience this old strategy lingers the most. You can tell by the assumptions people make about sex toys. For the most part, the responses I get are, “Oh I bet these products do very well in the night clubs?” On the contrary, young people, especially young guys are not the target audience at all, which is what one would think since sex toys have been typically plastered with your favorite porn stars. In fact, our best customers are serious couples or older men and women with prior sexual experience, typically after the age of 25 and up to 55 (perhaps older now because of Viagra).
It’s very rare for me to have any lengthy discussion about my line of work, simply because it’s too personal or too intimate a subject for most people. Even though millions of men and women use them daily, it’s still uncomfortable to talk about openly. But I notice more and more that this attitude is also changing for the better. New forms of social media are allowing people to open up and share their personal stories, offering advice and tips with the right amount of anonymity that the internet can provide.
After all, it’s not about how a person feels about the product, but how it makes them feel about themselves. Our sexuality is quite simply who we are, but there can be so much disappointment, shame and pain associated with sex. If you look at sex toys in this light, then you realize the tremendous potential they have in creating experiences with deep emotional connections. The types of experiences that empowers the user to lead a more fulfilling life. Sex toys are fun, invigorating, useful and if done right from product to packaging, will have a lasting positive impact. What designer could resist such a challenge?
Cheers!
Jesse Adams
Mr InnerVibe
hmmm .. the research you do while designing these cool devices must be really enjoyable 🙂 .. i was watching one of these shows about relationships where they flash random stats at the bottom of the screen and one of them states that “there are more women in the UK that own vibrators vs. women that own washing machines” , so you are in the right industry there 🙂
That’s a fun fact! Yes the research can definitely get very interesting to say the least. Sometimes we conduct home user testing and you always learn something new from the results. 🙂
For sure. I want to be a sex toy designer. Are there classes offered for this profession?
I guess the only thing better would be a sex toy tester. 🙂
I really love that fact. Then I bet that all thoese women are really sexual satsified.
what kind of jobs are available for mechanical engineers who have a passion for sex toys and design.. it involves vibrations, heat transfer, moving parts… i would really like to get more information and see where it could lead me
First I wanted to thank you for writing this article as a google search doesn’t lead to many results for designing sex toys. Second, I just wanted to ask if you have any advice on how to get into this line of work? I honestly feel a passion to design sex toys that help increase intamacy for gay/lesbian people, older couples, and people who want to re connect.
I am a plastics engineering major at Western Washington University and my career ambition is to work in the sex toy industry. I am still studying and was wondering what your advice would be as to how to pursue my goal. Where should I focus? Who should I talk to? Where should I look?
I’m curious about how one gets into this profession! Any tips?
I am actually trying to become a sex toy tester, if you need outgoing truthful opinions on a toy!
Hey, I know it’s an old note, but please gimme a hint: how can you become sex toy designer? 🙂
Hi , I’m really interested in a sex toy design job , can you help.
Hi I see a lot of interest from people who have posted here about getting into the same line of business, which is of course what also led me to your article but I don’t see any replies to the appeals for guidance or information on how to go about achieving this. Please share as I have a great desire to pursue this path myself, Thanks. (a quick email with the info would be awesome)
Hi Nicci,
Thanks for reaching out! Sorry for the slow response. I’ve never been very good about updating my blog (or any of my social media accounts for that matter). Your comment inspires me to do a better job of that. 🙂 I would be happy to provide some guidance on the process. I’m guessing many folks have the same questions, so I’ll write up a blog post answering some of the top questions I’ve heard over the years. Would love to hear your top questions. Feel free to write them in the comments here or if you prefer just email me directly at jesse (at) mikandi.com.
cheers!
I have some very interesting ideas for toys. How do I get my ideas patented and designed