It happens all the time. Someone thinks he has a bright idea, and a new consumer product is born. Unfortunately, not every new concept is worth putting on a retail shelf, as illustrated by this 2012 post on the “20 Useless Products No One Should Buy.” So what factors do you need to consider when looking at product usability? Here are four components we recommend. Google+
Love watches, music and fashion? And have an iPod® Nano? Check out the Deckster™ – it’s a new, funky, fashionable and sustainable unisex watch strap custom built for Apple’s iPod Nano. The patent-pending Pop+Lock™ System models the functionality of a retro cassette tape deck allowing the Nano to be smoothly inserted into the protective enclosure in one easy, fluid motion to become a stylish multi-functional watch. This iWatch is fashion for the forward set and convenient carrying of the Nano for work, sports and leisure. Design 1st also likes to fast forward clients’ innovative concepts into useful, aesthetically beautiful and marketable products. When N-Product, the creators of the Deckster, approached Design 1st they had a vision of the slick functionality and timeless quality their timepiece would embody. The Design 1st team built upon the concept to develop a design that combined the simple elegance of the Nano with the creators’ creativity and required features. The Deckster design would prove to push the traditional boundaries of design as well as demand maximum innovation from the tooling and manufacturing efforts. Various design challenges were encountered that required Design 1st’s highly innovative problem-solving and depth of technical expertise. In particular, the patent-pending Pop+Lock system needed to combine the action of the tape deck concept with the functional mechanical precision yet maintain the aesthetics of the Nano. The system replicates a cassette tape deck’s functionality requiring over 20 custom watch sized components in this simple to use hinge and latch design that enables a smooth “pop” opening of the watch, allowing the user to insert the Nano and “lock it” in place with a distinctive click. Making the mechanism work smoothly and consistently despite normal manufacturing variability was the real challenge. The project depended on numerous areas of the teams’ expertise in this fast 8-week Continue reading
The history of industrial design began during the 1920’s when automobiles and electrical appliances were starting to enter the consumer market. As competition grew, firms differentiated their market position catering to consumers who were willing to spend more on luxury goods and intelligent design. The inventors and engineers behind these products were technically brilliant but often lacked creativity to enhance the look, feel and usability of products. To remedy this problem they turned to talented artists from various art schools leveraging their creative insights for the development of consumer products. The Electrolux Appliance Design Lab competition continues the tradition of leveraging design students creativity towards the development of consumer products. In its ninth year, the Electrolux competition challenges Canadian industrial design students to compete for the chance to win a paid internship and cash prizes. The theme behind the 2011 competition is “Intelligent Mobility”, focused on creative home appliances that provide users flexible control for more free time, both within and outside the home. The video below highlights what intelligent mobility is and gives details for this year’s competition: Electrolux’s competition tasks students with creating strategically designed concepts for home appliances shaping how people prepare and store food, clean and do dishes. In particular these design concepts should offer personalization and inspire users whilst utilizing existing technology for support and guidance. The top finalists of the competition are invited to participate in a final global event, presenting their entries to a jury of world class designers. These students than go on to exciting careers with product design and engineering firms like Design 1st where they work side by side with product engineers. Through creativity and innovation training they obtain a deep knowledge of materials, mechanisms and manufacturing. Overall, the competition prepares students to integrate with a product design team bringing new innovations Continue reading
Here’s a great video compilation of quotes from design luminaries giving their interpretation of design. It reflects what goes through the heads of designers when engaging in the product development process – truly inspiring. To me Design is……… Google+
The 2010 InfoComm – Las Vegas tradeshow provided a terrific platform for this industry interaction with over 900 exhibitors and 300 educational seminars. Continue reading
Gartner’s Cool Vendor’s report is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Design 1st was proud to hear that former clients Sustainable Energy Technologies and Pliant Technologies were named in the 2010 Cool Vendors Report. Continue reading
Advances in technology and innovative product development have made Stevie Wonder’s message of accessible technology for the disabled – a reality. A recent 2010 NFL Superbowl Volkswagen commercial highlighted the latest advances in technology for the visually impaired. Continue reading
When you hear “milk chocolate”, what colour comes to mind? In our efforts to support a recent promotional program for Hershey, Design 1st had some chocolate colour co-ordination to sort out. Continue reading
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics showcased the creative design talent Canada has to offer. These Olympic Games provided industrial designers, architects and engineers countless opportunities to exhibit their talent and design innovation. Continue reading
The government of Canada’s 2010 Budget was released on March 4th, within were various provisions impacting Canadian small business funding. Continue reading