Why?
….for a love of the objects we make; a care for the materials we use and a general obsession to work toward better objects.
Objects express our presence in the world reflecting who we are and what we value, and they need to be better—better in what they are and in how they are made.
The path to better objects is inclusive and diverse looking through a wide angle lens at people and the planet making connections between seemingly disconnected things.
This is a strong and devoted ideology towards collaboration where those without choices are given choices.
Approach
Client engagement happens in 2 ways:
Consulting: Explore all the elements and relationships that surround and support the product and the development activity. This involves research, strategy, product positioning and design brief development.
Design: Design the product.
Process
Diverge: All projects begin with an investigation into why are we developing this new object?
It involves broadening the view of the project and asking:
Who is it for?
Why should they care?
Who and what does it impact and how?
Where will it be used?
What will it be used with?
How will people live with it?
How will it age?
Who will make it and what materials will they use?
What happens when its initial purpose is over?
These questions bring clarity to a design brief and open the door to inspiration. They reveal points of connection as well as friction. Most importantly, they reveal opportunities that may not be obvious and can be explored in the process.
In a world increasingly filling with objects, what is designed and made can be more important that how they are designed and made. Understanding this broader context and making the right object in the right way creates the possibility for a positive impact.
Converge: Designing continues by weaving potential narratives to the questions posed above into a series of schematic product proposals. These explore the potential for the project, their role in the larger systems they inhabit, leading to solutions for full development. This will include factors such as sustainability, manufacturing and logistics, product application and market reach etc..
The work aims to be highly collaborative, fully acknowledging the complexity of developing a product for production along with all the skills and disciplines required to launch a successful product. These voices are drawn into the project throughout the process.
The outcome of the Converge phase will be a resolved design direction with clear implications and applications identified ready for engineering.
Support: Following the converge phase, engineering and manufacturing begin. The role supports this process of transition, ensuring clear communication of design intent along with participation in resolving the inevitable conflicting requirements and challenges that will emerge through the continuing development process.
This support continues through to marketing and product launch.
Let’s chat.
We’re always looking for new opportunities. Please get in touch and let’s start a conversation.