We’ve always loved the line from Codexx our innovation partner: “Business is a Bit like Juggling”. When things are going a bit mental around you, try saying this to yourself in a slightly sarcastic and wry tone. It always cheers me up!
We’re on a major quest right now to find a studio management system to help us juggle more smoothly. It’s a huge task just evaluating all the options and working out what we need. (more…)
Yes of course they are, they have to be creative to imagine solutions to problems. Do they know how to creatively design a product? No I don’t think they do…
Now, please don’t get upset, Engineers come up with fantastic ideas, and the goods ones are very creative people. Perhaps if you want to generalise, designers are a bit more artistic, engineers are better at maths, but the really important difference is in training. Where engineers learn analysis tools to solve problems, designers learn how to use creativity to solve problems.
I remember various debates on creativity in an engineering and CAD forum, where Engineers have hotly argued that the felt tip fairies are all just coming up with daft ideas, whereas the engineers can be just as creative AND practical too. I’m lucky to have a foot in both camps, trained as an engineer and working as a designer. From this perspective I’d have to say that the engineers in these debates are wrong. (more…)
Inclusive Design- what does it mean to you? Has it become the latest buzz word that we (as designers) all talk about on a regular basis but actually forget to implement into the products being designed?
The English dictionary defines inclusive as “not excluding any section of society or any part” and when we link that to product design, surely it suggests that the products should be easily used by all. So why are there so many supposedly inclusively designed products on our shelves that have clearly not considered the needs of their potential users? This is a subject that has been recognised by the Engineering Design Centre at Cambridge University and they have subsequently produced a detailed tool kit which hopes to ensure that all readers will be able to implement good inclusive design into their products.
Who needs inclusive design in their lives? Well we all do in different ways, but some more than others. Statistics show that in the UK 17.8% of the population have less than full ability in one or more of the following areas- sensory, motor and cognitive capabilities, and a large percentage of this group are over the age of 55. It is also worth adding at this point that from the age of 50, disposable income and spare time increases dramatically. Therefore, this particular consumer groups needs to targeting when promoting the latest trendy new product as they have the time and the money to but it. (more…)
Great news - Finally Google is phasing out support for IE6, sinking a nice big wooden stake through the heart of the evil browser…
Well OK maybe that’s overstating it a bit. But on occasions I’ve seen my colleague Ed almost reduced to tears when our latest W3C standards compliant site falls to pieces testing in IE6. So it was over a consoling cup of tea last year that we decided to stop offering IE6 compatibility to clients, unless they wanted to pay double for the web build and testing stage.
The problem has always been that IE6 ploughed it’s own furrow in a fairly typical Microsoft kind of way – it all worked, but just slightly differently from everyone else – making building a site that worked on all browsers like herding cats up a steep river.
So bye bye IE6, good riddance old chap. Great, now we can put that stinky garlic away.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here do not suggest that Google is a vampire slayer or that Microsoft turns out software with supernatural powers to offend web designers.
Augmented Reality (AR) is a hot topic, but one that has for some time been considered too futuristic and advanced for us tech followers to get on board with. However, AR is now becoming more real thanks to some well known companies using the technology to their advantage.
Augmented Reality Application - Image Courtesy of Wikimedia
Augmented Reality works on the basis that elements from the physical real world are combined with virtual computer-generated imagery thus creating a mixed reality. By using this advanced technology, the information that surrounds us in the real world can become interactive and easily used digitally.
AR is interactive in real time and registered in 3D, therefore we can harness this technology without difficulty into our everyday lives. We can now see AR being used in sport, film, documentaries and video games. The technology can enhance our viewing pleasure for (more…)
Copper has recently launched it’s on-line community page which aims to replace its previous forums, FAQ’s and support emails. The management software, which we at Realise have been using for a short time, has produced what looks like an easy navigational on-line support tool to help customers with purchasing problems, helpful information on how to use Copper project effectively and the future development of Copper.
We are sure that the launch will be successful and the new function of the community page will attract more custom!
Is open community product design something that we in the UK should be promoting? Well, with cars like the Rally Fighter being produced we think it’s a goer!
If you do happen to be the Barranca Park Way area of Los Angeles on Saturday, then make sure that you drop in on the Cars and Coffee event which is being held at the Mazda headquarters. Organised by Local Motors, community members will have the opportunity to see the first prototype of the Rally Fighter.
Designed by Sangho Kim, the Rally Fighter is a $50,000 off road (but street legal) racer. The diesel car is designed to be used in the desert, however Local Motors claim that the Rally Fighter will handle well on-road driving at an efficient 30+ mpg. The car has taken many months of research and development and it will be available to buy in June of this year, However, potential buyers can order their own custom built model now for £5,000 deposit.
Local Motors is a great example of community based product design. LM members have the opportunity to upload their own car designs which are then voted for by other group members. Popular designs are then developed and built by the Local Motors community. As the car designs are developed openly, members can help choose designs, fixtures and fittings and they also have the final say on where the vehicle will be available to buy.
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