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 | | Still to come in May |
One of our mantras here at Speck Design is, "We don't design products; we design experiences." As such, we are a company committed to creating products that are not only visually appealing but also accessible and inclusive to all users to experience. It's essential for product designers, especially UX designers, to focus on topics like these, not only because it is the ethical thing to do, but because good design considers user experiences for everyone.
However, designing for people with physical disabilities or neuro divergences often gets overlooked in favor of the abled majority. So, this month we'll explore inclusivity and accessibility by design. By prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility in our designs, we can create user-friendly and welcoming products. Join us as we delve deeper into these critical topics in our Design Journal and LinkedIn in May.
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| LAST MONTH IN REVIEW |
Designing Physical Products For A Virtual World |
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Last month’s exploration of virtual reality product design revealed one of the most exciting parts of designing physical products for virtual reality is the blue sky thinking it allows industrial designers to engage in. The same can be said for the design thinking approach we must take to make a schism in reality a good thing. Read more in Speck's Design Journal
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Product Design | Bubble Buddy by designer Foekje Fleur |
An endearing design by Foekje Fluer lets users do the dishes while helping clean up the planet! It is called Bubble Buddy, and it is the bright, colorful, eco-conscious soap dish you can't help but fall in love with. Made from recycled plastic, the handy tool includes a basin that doubles as a grater for your soap when flipped over, at the same time creating bar soap flakes that readily dissolve in warm water. |
| Read about the Bubble Buddy
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Innovation | No puncture tires from Michelin are a hit |
These Michelin tires don't puncture! They are called 'Uptis (Unique Punctureproof Tire System). Thanks to their unique shape, the prototype is airless and doesn't have to be filled. These fantastic and futuristic wheels are crafted from aluminum instead of rubber and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP). Already users seem to love them, and Michelin reports passengers felt no difference compared with conventional tires. |
| Read about the tires
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Technology | Minne by Jemma Queenborough |
One in three of us keep 'meaningful possessions' in our homes to trigger memories, foster belonging and embody our identities. The problem is these items can be lost or ruined due to circumstances beyond our control. This is why Industrial Design student Jemma Queenborough created the Minne, an immersive 3D volumetric displayer that projects 'Digital Twins' of lost meaningful possessions. It helps people to retain their identities, belonging, and memory, strengthened by captured scent and sound. |
| Learn more about Minne
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Future Think | Bubble-Like Ultrasonic Patch Replace Needs |
The sting of a needle during exams or vaccination can make even the toughest of us feel weak. Even the thought of it is enough to make some people swoon. The solution to the sting? A bubble-like patch that employs soundwaves to administer medication. It was developed at MIT and could be considered a softer, more bubbly approach to care. Made of a silicone-based polymer called PDMS, it sticks to the skin and is so lightweight that the user won’t even feel it. |
| Learn more about the patch
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What We Are Listening To | Built for Change: How to Build a Responsible Metaverse |
As the boundaries of the virtual world continue to shift, how can organizations work together to design a metaverse that's enriching and welcoming for all? Accenture's Built for Change podcast examines how new technology has the potential to reshape how businesses interact with the world. And how it is time for leaders to commit to a responsible metaverse – one built on the core principles of ethics, safety, and inclusivity. |
| Listen to the podcast
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What We Are Watching | “Hyper-reality” VR Simulation by Keiichi Matsuda |
We suspect it won't be long before wearing AR glasses becomes as commonplace as carrying a cell phone. As this happens, advertising, responsive displays, and social media feeds will always be in the way of the user's vision. And that could get hectic. Keiichi Matsuda made an excellent video of what he calls "hyper-reality." Although painful to watch, it is a powerful cautionary tale that every designer, marketer, and programmer should watch.
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| Watch the video
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Speck Design © 2023. All Rights Reserved. San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA | Santa Fe, NM |
At Speck Design, we have been creating the future for 25 years, helping our clients build lasting connections with their customers through compelling and innovative product design. We believe the catalyst for effective design is passion, diversity, and partnership. We work with organizations big and small, local and global, start-up and legacy to bring their dreams to life and their vision to market. |
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