How to Build & Sell Your Own Product

The Origin of Jagruk Journal

The idea for Jagruk Journal came to me during a therapy session in Kerala. I realized that I had spent roughly 10,000 days of my life without any recollection of most of those days. I wanted to document my days and do some introspection, but I was facing some challenges with the process.

First, I tried journaling online using a Google Doc, but I found it too distracting. Then, I switched to a physical diary, but I felt fatigued and didn’t know what to write. Finally, I discovered guided journals, which inspired me to create Jagruk Journal.

The Key Features of Jagruk Journal

We brainstormed a lot of questions to include in Jagruk Journal, such as:

• What was our memory/learning on that particular day?
• What is one positive thing and one negative thing of the day?
• Who am I feeling gratitude for?
• How do I want to remember today?
• If I could say one last thing, what would I say?
• What profession would I choose if no one judged me?

Additionally, we added productivity tools such as a to-do list, expense tracking, monthly planner, habit tracker, and fitness tracker.

The Market Survey and Target Audience

We did a basic survey in our office to ask if people would be interested in such a product. Our target audience is primarily employees and young professionals, so we designed the product with them in mind.

The Documentation and Development Stage

We followed a simple process for documentation, noting the requirements for the journal on one side and the design on the other. We then outsourced the manufacturing but handled everything else in-house.

Overall, creating Jagruk Journal was a challenging but rewarding experience. We hope that sharing our journey with you will inspire you to create your own product or start your own business. Thank you for watching!

The Waterfall Model

When working on a project, it’s important to break it down into smaller tasks. The waterfall model is a great way to do this. It suggests tackling the work on which other work is dependent. For example, you wouldn’t worry about the thickness of a page until you had decided on the content and design. This model helps to simplify the project and make it more manageable.

Prototyping and Wireframing

Before beginning product design, it’s essential to create a basic structure or prototype. This can be done physically or digitally through wireframing. Wireframing involves putting all the necessary components on a designated canvas. This way, you can work out the kinks and figure out what works best for your product.

The Design Process

Once the wireframing is complete, the design process can begin. It’s important to work with both requirements and constraints. In the case of a journal, for example, the page size, paper quality, margin, and color are all important constraints. The designer would then create a template for one particular page, and the content team would prepare the content. Once they come together, the full 365-page design can be created.

Working in Parallel

While the design team is working on the journal pages, other teams can work in parallel. For example, one team could be designing the cover page, while another team is working on the card and box that will go with it. This helps to streamline the process and ensure that everything is completed on time.

The Final Steps

Once the product is designed and produced, the final steps can begin. This includes finalizing the logistics for shipment and creating a website for sales. It’s important to prioritize tasks and work on them in a logical order to ensure that everything is completed efficiently and effectively.