When we were asked to design the first complete physical experience to accompany the new Google TV technology, we faced a unique challenge. How would Logitech Revue users feel about using an entirely new combination of TV, web and apps?

The interaction devices had to be almost ‘invisible’ so that people remained immersed in their Google TV world. Understanding the complete experience was critical. 

In order to design the most intuitive experience, we simultaneously mapped out interactive concept work while developing the Logitech Revue collection of keyboard, set-top box and remote control.  The collection became one of ‘Time’ magazine’s ‘Top Ten products of 2010’ and won the CES ‘Best of Innovations’ award, 2011.

At its best, new technology can evoke a sense of magic. This particular technology liberates the mouse from the desk and enables intuitive cursor control in the air.

The theme of magic permeated our approach to every aspect of the design. The clean black finish, the embedded backlighting that appears when you pick it up, the seamless construction and the translucent on-screen interface – all these elements support the idea of ‘magic’ in the mouse.

The result was a device which embodied Logitech’s engagement with the future of human computer interaction.

The MX Air was featured in the ‘Design and the Elastic Mind’ exhibition at MoMA in New York. The exhibition focused on ‘...designers ability to grasp momentous changes in technology, science and social mores, changes that will demand or reflect major adjustments in human behaviour and convert them into objects and systems that people understand and use’.

Moma Exhibition

How do you differentiate a product category on a heavily competitive shelf space? 

The key is in careful analysis of the marketplace, finding the right areas of opportunity and committing to a vision.

The Air Speaker is faithful to these principles and, as the flagship product for Ultimate Ears’ audio portfolio, it embodies a language and identity that sets the brand apart from its competitors. The identity was derived from a philosophy based on musical instrument design. Anyone who loves music deserves the best listening experience possible. From the intuitive, seamless controls, to the single, sweeping cloth front to the hidden charging dock, the entire user experience was designed to reflect this philosophy.

This product illustrates how we work with our clients to create a vision that is in tune with their brand and is impactful and resonant on the shelf.

TV browsing has changed. Everything from the TV guide, programme information, meta data and remote control to customising your entertainment system now needs management.

Harmony Link was designed to make controlling them all a lot easier. With it, you can turn your smart phone into a remote control enabling you to search viewings, record programmes and customise your viewing.

We wanted the form to reflect the precious role it plays in the home. We imagined it as a jewel-like object. A sculpture for the living room with a smooth organic shape suggesting simple luxury. We also wanted to create a sense of empowerment and value. This was communicated through every touch point from the user interface on the app right through to product packaging.

The 2011 financial year proved to be a record year for sales of Harmony’s remotes. We are proud of our contribution to this important commercial success.

When a gamer is in the middle of a gaming session nothing else matters. Anything that breaks this connection making them aware of the world outside can be fatal. That’s why complete immersion was our aim when designing the newest additions to Logitech’s G-series gaming gear.

After the massive success of 2010’s award-winning gear - the G35 was the best-selling gaming headset in the U.S while the G15 and G19 were in the top 3 best-selling gaming keyboards in the world - it was a going to be a challenge.

As a result of our intensive research and gamer testing, we positioned all controls on the G700 mouse exactly where they were needed so they could be found ‘blind’ without looking. We applied the same precision to the G510 keyboard layout.  Despite the fact that the G930 headset became wireless and therefore needed a battery, we managed to make it lighter and slimmer so it remained comfortable to wear for longer gaming sessions.

The result was rave reviews, bestselling gaming gear and near invincibility for gamers.

Home baking is traditionally at the heart of family life. The simple pleasures of weighing and mixing and the rituals associated with them became our reference point when designing this baking scale for Terraillon. 

By incorporating additional elements such as a hopper for measuring the ingredients and a bowl for mixing them, we were able to extend the practical experience of baking. 

We didn’t just want to create a technical device but provide a tool that was a joy to use - something that would occupy a special place in the kitchen on baking days and forever be associated with them.

In frontline primary care, medical instruments must perform flawlessly so that professionals can provide accurate diagnoses. But they don’t just need to be precise they also need to reassure. Their design can set patients’ expectations of healthcare for life.

Understanding the patient experience
The Welch Allyn pocket set is one of the first medical devices a patient encounters. To patients, it is as iconic a symbol as the stethoscope so we needed to ensure that their interaction with it was natural and positive. Accordingly, we designed the new set to have a soft, warm almost organic feeling. Something to be welcomed not something that felt sharp, cold and invasive.

Improving the professional experience
In Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, accuracy is key. Healthcare professionals are often the first to detect chronic systemic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. We understood that a lightweight and robust tool would be easier to use. In particular, our new design sought to reduce strain and maximise accuracy during clinical examinations.

A tradition of innovation
Welch Allyn has maintained market leadership in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology for over 100 years. Our goal was to design a new pocket set which preserved that heritage while being cost effective to manufacture in order to meet the demands of a global market yet still driving innovation and excellence.

Increasing the return on investment
The redesign of the Otoscope head saved 25 cent per unit. While a 15% cost reduction was achieved for the set, overall. With in excess of 400,000 pocket sets sold per annum, this amounted to a substantial saving for the company.

When Cathal, our creative director, started working with new film-based solar panel technology he quickly realized these solar panels could be a game changer in consumer electronics design.

Products that could be powered by light could be built differently, becoming a lot thinner while liberating the consumer from having to use replaceable batteries. The environmental benefits were obvious but being able to create a new design paradigm gave our client a significant competitive advantage.

This solar keyboard is currently the number one bestselling keyboard on Amazon.com with a five star average rating and Logitech sales in this category have more than doubled this year thanks in large part to this commercial success. This solar wireless product has won the prestigious German iF award and the CES ‘Best of innovations 2011’ award.

Confident, self-expressed and open to change, the millennium generation will surpass previous generations in influence, spending power and wealth.

Designing for this group requires a fresh approach. Authenticity and an understanding of contradictions is part of the mental shift required by the design team.

We have developed the methodology and cultural bandwidth to make products for these new consumers. Products which are more personal, more local and more capable of fast evolution.

When Terraillon asked us to design a filter jug specifically for the French urban market, we discovered that these customers were design-conscious but short of space. They liked filtration jugs that looked good displayed on the table but found them awkward to fit in a fridge

Right from the start, we chose ice cubes as a strong visual reference for fresh, cool water. This inspiration eventually developed into the Arctic jug’s softened cubic shape which makes it ideal to handle while delivering space and volume efficiency. 

Arctic has enabled Terraillon to get incremental sales and valuable retail shelf space with a new product that had no direct competitors. Arctic won the Trophees de la Maison prize and subsequently an iF award for its design.