Leading By Design.

Recently we’ve seen an explosion of radical industrial designs, Their designers working hard to think outside the box and take a different view on things. One can not just look at a competitor and think; “Well, How can we improve on that?”, One has to think “Well, How should it be designed?”. Independent Thinking + Innovation + Simplicity = Radical Design.

I have featured some recent products, That have redefined and refined their industries and continue to do so.

- Mac Pro - Google Glass - Jawbone Up

Google Glass

Designed by: Isabelle Olsson

Google Glass features a minimalist yet intuitive design. The issue with wearable tech is that as soon as we put an accesory on our bodies, It becomes a statement. All though not inconspicuous, Glass’s ID (Industrial Design) team have suceeded in making it a ‘fashion accessory’. Although one might still gather extra looks walking down the street much more so than one usually would. Glass overall makes for a much a lighter statement with regards to other forms of ‘wearable tech’ in the same league.

Glass has a ‘tactile’ or ‘fiddle’ factor which makes it alot more friendly and human for the users, Google has succeeeded in personifying the object. Although Glass is still in BETA and is not a consumer end product as of yet, It has a cutting edge design & I for one can not wait to see the Consumer version!

Mac Pro

Designed by: Jonathon Ive

Sir Ive has never failed to do anything less but excite with the design of Apple products. The Mac Pro is a radical new approach to desktop computing, Putting a powerhouse workstation inside… well an aluminium can. The Mac Pro features a chíc black aluminium sheen & an almost silent central fan, Keeping everything cool on the inside while not compromising on size or sound.

The new Mac Pro is consistent with Ive’s design traits, Such as his “Less is more” dictum. The Mac Pro is the biggets change in desktop computing in the last 5 years. Has Sir Ive redesigned an industry again? Lets wait and see.

Jawbone UP

Designed by: Fuseproject (Design Firm)

Wearable fitness tech hasnt been known for its ellaborate design. The Jawbone UP features a fashionable design with various colours and a tactile ridge pattern along the band.

I use the word ‘Fashionable’ to describe the Jawbone UP as overall, It’s design albeit ‘pretty’ is not very functional. Take the fitbit force for example which incorporates low energy bluetooth and the ability to plug in the device to your Mac/PC, Which is a lot more convenient then using the 9mm Audio Jack in your Jawbone Up which only caters for mobile users.

I chose the Jawbone UP specifically to show that something doesnt have to be ‘very’ functional, It just has to get from A —to→ B. The Jawbone does what it says on the box, not as efficiently as other devices, but it does it beautifully. From here on in it boils down to the Engineering VS Design debate and which one should be a priority.