## Designers Already Prototype Hardware – Now They’re Prototyping Demand Too Every product that finds its way onto these pages eventually meets the same crossroads: the moment a designer takes the thing public. For physical product creators chasing something original enough that established retailers won’t touch it, Kickstarter remains the most democratic proving ground available. The platform has hosted more than 654,000 campaigns since 2009, drawing over $8.5 billion in pledges from more than 23 million backers, with 2025 marking its strongest year on record. That momentum creates a…