What Can Outdoor Industry Learn From OuTask’s Success About Product Development?

Take a look at the product success story of OuTask, a brand that has redefined expectations for outdoor gear with their groundbreaking multifunctional telescopic camping light - a masterclass in industrial design and product development, offering valuable lessons.

First Glimpse: Tech-Inspired Design

At first glance, OuTask telescopic camping light doesn’t look like a traditional light. Instead, it resembles something straight out of a sci-fi movie—a sleek, space-age gadget designed for exploration. Its compact form factor, similar to the size of a water bottle, can extend up to 3.5 times its length, reaching an impressive 930mm.

The light's functionality is just as impressive as its design:

A 360-degree horizontal rotation and a 180-degree vertical flip of the lamp head provide unparalleled adjustability.

The magnetic base allows it to securely attach to any metal surface, offering hands-free convenience.

This thoughtful blend of aesthetics and practicality highlights how industrial design can elevate a product beyond mere utility, providing an exciting and user-friendly experience for outdoor enthusiasts.

Breaking Crowdfunding Records

OuTask didn’t just create a remarkable product—they also executed a stellar launch strategy. Their multifunctional camping light debuted on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, two leading crowdfunding platforms. Within the first month, the product raised over 6 million RMB, smashing records in the outdoor lighting category. It was even named one of Kickstarter’s Top 30 projects in the design and technology category for 2022.

This success underscores the importance of understanding your target audience. By combining innovative design with a clear value proposition for campers and adventurers, OuTask effectively captured the imagination (and wallets) of the outdoor community.

OuTask offers the outdoor lighting category's first truly integrated solution, striking the perfect balance between "portability" and "versatility"—two critical features for outdoor gear.

Ingenious Telescopic Structure

As mentioned earlier, the OuTask light boasts a compact size comparable to a 500mL water bottle when collapsed, yet it can extend to nearly 1 meter in height. This adaptability makes it suitable for various scenarios, including tabletop, handheld, hanging, or elevated lighting needs.

What sets its design apart is its clever structure. Not only does it allow for seamless telescoping, but it also integrates components like a high-capacity battery module and three-dimensional lighting system into a compact, streamlined form.

Practicality in the Wild

In outdoor environments, using the OuTask light is as simple as extending the pole and sliding it into your backpack’s side pocket. The result? A "mobile streetlamp" that provides broad, steady illumination. This eliminates the need for traditional headlamps, which not only limit the scope of light but can also attract insects directly to your face—a nuisance no camper enjoys.

Whether you’re lighting the way for teammates or setting up camp in low-light conditions, the OuTask telescopic light transforms your outdoor experience with greater convenience and functionality.

Story Behind OuTask: From Passion to Innovation

Founded in 2022, OuTask caters to outdoor camping enthusiasts, but its founders embody the spirit of true wilderness survivalists.

Passion for the Outdoors

Chen Yong, a fervent outdoor enthusiast, believes that to truly embrace the outdoors, one must experience it fully—rain means getting drenched, and sunshine calls for soaking it in. For him, it’s all part of enjoying the journey.

During university days, Chen often escaped to the nearby national forest park, where his love for the wilderness grew. His constant companion? A “red-billed crow” that he trained. The bird would perch on his shoulder when he reached mountaintops or circle around him as he paddled a kayak across the lake. This "heroic" lifestyle, reminiscent of a wanderer in a martial arts novel, captivated him.

Chen’s graduation project—a camping light—was inspired by an unsettling encounter with a water buffalo during a camping trip. Determined to design a product that would provide peace of mind during overnight stays in the wild, he created his first outdoor light to ward off the potential disturbances of wildlife.

Challenges in Bringing Ideas to Life

Like many Shenzhen startups, OuTask faced significant challenges in turning its vision into reality. As first-time developers of their own product, the team had to wear multiple hats: not just designers but also product managers, quality engineers, and project leads.

They negotiated with suppliers, managed cost constraints, and struggled with production timelines.

“We took some hard hits,” they admitted. The journey from their successful Kickstarter campaign in September last year to starting production in May of this year was long and arduous. But for foreign designers launching a brand in China, such challenges are part of the entrepreneurial rite of passage.

Creating a Brand with Purpose

OuTask’s founders often reflect on their motivations. "We were always searching for a meaningful, sustainable reason to venture outdoors," they said. "Only after creating this product and brand did we find a legitimate purpose—to explore, record, create."

When passion becomes the driving force behind entrepreneurship, it generates boundless energy. For OuTask, this passion fuels their vision, paving the way for more innovative outdoor products in the future.

Bright Ideas for Your Next Outdoor Product

Whether you’re a product development professional or an avid camper, the story of OuTask serves as a shining example of how innovative design and strategic execution can redefine an industry.

At NYCD, we thrive on helping brands bring such ideas to life. With over a decade of expertise in industrial design and product development, our team is dedicated to crafting solutions that exceed expectations and create lasting impressions. Let’s illuminate your path to success, one product at a time.

Got a bright idea for the next big thing in outdoor gear? Let's chat—we're here to help turn your vision into reality!