Customer-Designed Sex Toys: How Feedback & Competitions Are Shaping the Future

For better or worse, we live in a time when everyone’s opinions have a platform, and any perspective can be shared with the world at the click of a button. While this definitely has its downsides (remember when you only had to hear about your weird relative’s niche political views at Thanksgiving?), one definite benefit is that consumers have much more of a say in the products they want to see and use.

It’s safe to say that few products are more intimate than sex toys, so it only makes sense that people are very particular about what they want. As well they should be! I recently wrote an article touching on the growing trend of viewing masturbation as self-care, and it only makes sense that If customers see sex toys as an integral part of their self-improvement regimen (not something to surreptitiously buy from the back of an adult store and shove in the bottom of their sock drawer), they’re going to feel empowered to make it known just what they want from a toy. And with so much competition and information available to customers, it’s easier than ever to choose products that are high-quality and, most importantly, safe.

And toy companies should listen. With so many great options to choose from, companies really need to prove themselves willing to take customer feedback into consideration, especially with such a personal product. If a product doesn’t feel great for a lot of people, then it should be time for a redesign!

Every Sex Toy Tells a Story

Ever since the Industrial Revolution (a phrase that always brings me back to 8^th grade history), people have become more disconnected from the history of the products they own. Unless a company is extremely transparent on its website, and the customer in question is interested enough to read the details, it’s easy to forget that products are created and thought up by actual people.

Some companies connect with customers by providing a little bio about the designer or the founder of the company and why they designed that particular toy. Not only does it make the product sound more appealing, but it also makes people want to keep coming back for more. I’m not going to get into a discussion of parasocial relationships here, but I will say that I do feel more loyalty to brands that put the name and face of a designer on the website, and even if I don’t love a toy myself, reading a little “Why We Made This” description always makes me understand the design a little more. But some companies take things a step further and put the design in the hands of customers.

Competitions

Some companies host competitions to design sex toys. Most notably, Lovehoney has hosted competitions in the past, with quite a bit of prize money involved. One of the toys that was invented, the Sqweel, became a hit, and is now available in a new and improved version.

Uncover Creations hosted a Design a Grinder competition, and actually made three of the ideas into realities, because they were just so good it was impossible to pick a winner. Looking at these grinders, I can understand the appeal. These grinders are fantastical (not to mention fantastic)-looking, and while I’m not in the market for a grinder, I have to admit, I’m tempted by these designs.

We’ve all had great ideas for products (sex toys or otherwise) and have gotten frustrated that they don’t exist in real life. So, being able to see someone else’s vision come true feels good—almost as good as the toy itself. There’s also something sexy about it. Think of it this way: someone thought these ideas were so arousing that they took time out of their day to design it, perfect it, and submit it to the company. Then other people were so turned on by that idea that they voted on it to become a reality. All of that is a lot more erotic than thinking of some people sitting around board rooms making decisions over plastic water bottles.

It’s Good for Everyone

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve researched a product before reviewing it and seen the words, “You asked, we listened” somewhere on the product page, especially if it’s a new version of an old toy. So many toys get little tweaks and improvements because of customer feedback.

It should come as no surprise that Cute Little Fuckers, a company known for its inclusivity, also invites audience participation when it comes to its designs. From fan art competitions to sharing sketches with fans beforehand, Cute Little Fuckers strives to make its customers feel like part of the design process. And, frankly, from a marketing standpoint, it works! They really know how to celebrate their customers. In particular, their Morrie toy was designed using customer feedback, with sketches posted on their blog before the product was finalized.

Cute Little Fuckers also allows customers to vote on what they want to see next, and whether they would be interested in certain products. Also, one of the options for voting is “I probably wouldn’t get it, but it would make me happy to see you making this”, which I love so much. Because yes, just because I don’t love a product doesn’t mean I’m not happy it’s out there for people with different needs/parts than mine.

I’m willing to bet that in the future, sex toy companies will give their customers even more of a hand in designing their toys. After all, since every body is different, some people might have sex toy needs and desires that just haven’t been met yet. As someone who struggled with vaginismus, I know how hard it was to find toys and dilators to use that seemed sexy and feminine instead of vaguely medical. For AFAB people in particular, the intricacies of our bodies have been ignored long enough, so having the opportunity to let companies know what toys we want to have available is definitely a step in the right direction.

Happy vibing!

Becky

Becky V is a Los Angeles native who loves indie bookstores, Broadway musicals, and a good cup of tea. She is passionate about sexual wellness and wants to make the world a better place one orgasm at a time!