October 25, 2011

October: Norwegian coffee machine

Linje Espressomaker

The result of a Norwegian approach to coffee – a world by and large dominated by Italian influences. By defining the core values of Norway and Scandinavia, and transforming these values into a design language the result is a truly unique product.

Be2

Be2 is a visual communication device, an attempt to look into the future. It works like a video call except that you can make the call from literally anywhere since the device is portable and projects the images on your wall with its inbuild projector.

Matteo de Colle’s Upcycled Lighting

Well, using and reusing objects does not demand a great deal of creative thinking and skillfulness, but doing it in truly original and elegant way – does.
“Opening a recycling bin for plastic reminds me of a soap opera: familiar characters, different combinations each day. In fact, most of the plastic bottles you see in a bin are very common: you are well acquainted with them from countless occasional encounters. Seeing them down there, in the dark, still beautiful and ripe with possibilities”.

Fishscape

Aruliden introduces the Fishscape, a reinterpreted design of the classic fishbowl with the glass transformed into a mountain range.

Fully Open Shoes

Fully Open Shoes have been designed to solve all problems we might be dealing with when we put shoes on our feet. According to these industrial designers, putting on shoes is a whole body movement, such as bend over, squat or use our hands. Well, if the problem of putting them on is solved, lets consider another one – taking them off.

Hugo

Hugo is a robot tea infuser. For people who like robots and a good cup of tea.

Kniggerich Cheat Sheet Placemat

Kniggerich placemats are a modern tool of teaching table etiquette. Designer llot llov has designed these placemats to show how to place dinnerware on the table properly.

Development cycle

There are four creative phases that ideas have to go through to become successful products: requirements, formation, development and tests.

Requirements

The traditional procedure to collect information on this topic is to use old rules and tools like marketing investigation, feedbacks from existing clients, focus groups and so on. But even better insight is to get trough constant indirect observations and regular interactions with you target group.

Formation

That is where the requirements get transformed into specifications. User research, regular brainstorming sessions, tests with various prototypes and multiple adjustments mainly result in some strong concepts, where just a few could be the winners.

Development

That is where the concepts start to get the form of a real product. There are two important strategies to follow: reduction of variations in materials and parts and simplification in the design for manufacturing and assembly of parts. Throughout the development process the specifications need to be verified.

Tests

During the test phase the product is tested against the design requirements and specifications formulated earlier and through user research. Many issues need testing: usability, quality, producibility, functionality and many others.

Although progress in the development cycle is sequential, it can be implemented in a linear form or iteratively. The iterative model is preferred in many cases.

Design Tips

Gather the requirements through both regular interaction with target groups and indirectly through observations and human factors tools again and again. Use research methods, prototyping and iterative ideational design to find a way to the optimal product concept. Test all the aspects of the product, optimize and test again.

Concept Design @bluelarix

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We create game changing product concepts and our knowledge of design, interaction, technology, manufacturing and electronics transforms them into great new products, ready for manufacturing.