We’ve got another look into the future for you this week and this time we need some feedback! Here’s a glimpse of one of our new designs:
Now, you decide!
What colors would you like to see offered in this case for both the outer and inner layers? Which shape do you like better – hexagon or squares? Please comment and help our product development team pick!
The Apple iPad is one of the most exciting things to be launched this year and we at case-mate wanted our cases to match the uniqueness of the device while also highlighting its utility. A lot of people were really trying to get into the mindset of being an iPad user. Guess what – the iPad is so unique and at the same time so common that identifying key demographics to such a device would be useless.
The initial launch of the iPad was met with great skepticism with people questioning if it fell in between the iPhone and the Macbook. Frankly, once people buy it, they will find a use for it, and it’s becoming clear that people will definitely buy it.
I have seen crazy flow charts giving you reasons why you shouldnt get it and toons and “Pad” jokes flying around on twitter and facebook, here’s an example:
When i watched the iPad launched, Mr. Jobs said ” it works” repeatedly, while many of us were still questioning the existence and functionality of this product. If you understand the true value of innovation, what Apple has done with the iPad is given out a base and asked the consumers to flavor it. Its like giving people the option to create a sandwich, but giving them the bread to start out with – you just have to choose all the vegetables and meat to fill it up. Thrusting innovation into the hands of consumers makes us feel that we’re able to contribute to the overall experience of the product which fuels curiosity to learn and while becoming accustomed to and reliant on the product.
Apple did it with the iPhone and they will do it again with the iPad. There are already rumors of a free netflix app you can use to stream movies. Bored of typing? There’s a dragon dictation app; which is already available for your iPhone – simply write an article, letter, email, whatever by dictating everything you want to say. Apps define the user experience of a device and with the launch of the iPad Apple is working towards creating a massive app store.
I recently read an article on core77 discussing the term “disruptive technology.” They claim, “Too many companies—and the marketers in charge of bringing these companies’ innovations to market—assume that “disruptive” connotes a highly-sophisticated, high-end product with cutting-edge technology that will appeal to early adopters.” With the launch of the iPad, we have yet another device that falls into this category. I’d argue there is no logical demographic identity for the iPad – and as a company we plan to keep this in mind as we develop accessories from both ends of the pyramid.
As more iPad reviews flow in, we’ll begin to see people adapting the product to their interests; affirming that the conventional design process is never complete with a product that develops with the user experience. Websites and companies must become iPad compatible to compete in this new market.
From a physical hardware standpoint, it’s always best to keep it simple and adaptable – it helps cater to a larger segment of consumers, and the move forward from physical form is becoming simpler everyday in the consumer electronics segment with overall experience becoming the top priority.
As with any product, there will be various disadvantages to the device in terms of restrictions, etc., but the aftermarket accessories and creative thinkers with DIY ideas will think of more ideas and products. The device is almost more of a consumer than a creator. Here’s the way I interpret Apple’s smart device lineup:
iPhone: Communicator
iPad: Consumer (data and knowledge)
Macbook: Creator.
So, judging the device on certain functions really doesn’t truly hold. If I have a chance to get one, I think I will be in complete awe of what it can do.
When I was designing cases for the iPad, I looked at various universal patterns that speak to a lot of users, from a functional standpoint it’s very important that we offer protection for a device that’s a simple viewer, yet fragile. So, if you happen to drop one, we got it covered. Here are Some pics of the cases I designed:
PC MAG’s 12 Coolest Accessories for the iPad: The Gelli series.
The Traveler, also designed by me 
Another PD Slice, another Industrial Designer to introduce; who says seconds are for Thanksgiving lunch only? This week meet Vyasateja Jyothigowdanapura. Try saying that 10 times fast! We prefer to call him VT for short. Similar to Alex, VT has is own personal blog. Waddoyathink?
The more toppings on a pizza the better. This week it is my pleasure to introduce to you one of the most requested toppings of Product Development.
Without further ado, here’s a link to case-mate’s Industrial designer, Alex Marshall’s blog!
http://byronalexmarshall.blogspot.com/2010/03/share-your-stuff-portfolio-story.html
It is amazing the things you can accomplish in the morning before work and still be on time.
Shower ✓
Breakfast ✓
Brush teeth ✓
Police officers in my living room ✓
Yes I said police officers, yes that’s plural.
8:15 a.m. I was blow-drying my hair.
8:25 a.m. I opened the front door to let Weagle, my dog go outside.
8:35 a.m. As I was starting to get dressed for the day, Weagle began to bark uncontrollably (not uncharacteristic for him) so half dressed I turned the corner to find TWO fully uniformed men in blue standing in my hallway yelling FREEZE; POLICE!
They were IN my HOUSE, not outside my house, knocking on the door. Apparently, someone called 911 from my house. The irony is I do not have a land line, just a cell phone. I told the officers this and their only response was, “We need to see proof of I.D. that you live here.” So, just my luck, I couldn’t find my drivers license. Finally, I walked outside to my car and find it. After validating my residence one of the cops radio’d the operator to get the phone number that called. He repeated it out loud to me like I was supposed to lead him in the right direction. Of course, I did not recognize the number.
8:45 a.m. The officers were squeezing their way out of my locked gate (best part of the whole experience).
9:00 a.m. I slid into my desk like Tom Cruise in Risky Business, not a minute late, no thanks to the po-po, 5-0, pigs, fuzz, bacon, boys in blue, cops, dogs, feds, flat foot, Johnny law, LEO, narcs…
After having a few weeks off cleaning up Fairbanks’ leakage, PD has decided to keep the information channel light this week. However, do not make the mistake of confusing light with irrelevant or you will really miss out.
Innovation is hard work. Inspiration for innovation is even harder. What makes case-mate so unique is that we have the ability to create our own inspiration. In PD the #1 thing that inspires us is music.
Maybe its because we have a BOOMING Bose system or maybe it’s our impeccable taste in music, either way… “music/ makes the designers/ imagination/ floooow (In Madonna’s voice.)”
If your foot’s not thumpin’ yet we will leave you with a playlist of a typical day in the life of Product Development:
Metric and Decemberists
Zef Side-Die Antwoord
El ten eleven
Ferras
Justice
Daft Punk
LIL WAYNE (notice the caps lock)
Sugarland
Kings of Leon
Young Money
Madonna
Black Eyed Peas
Winds of Plague
Beyonce
Passion pit
Bollywood songs ( hindi )
Jay-Z
Muse
Static X
System of a Down
Slipknot
Jennifer Nettles
Mudvayne
Rob Zombie
Chevelle
Coal Chamber
Outkast
Disturbed
Drowning Pool
Godsmack
Hollywood Undead
The Offspring
P.O.D.
Papa Roach
Sevendust
The Union Underground
As previously mentioned, the Product Development room holds top-secret case-mate information.
What if the information inside the four walls of the PD department wasn’t so secret anymore?
That’s right, this is a LEAK and I, Fairbanks, am not ashamed. What are those fools going do to me anyway? I mean as it stands I have to threaten to go to the bathroom on the carpet because these so called designers are so busy sketching they sometimes forget to take a break to take me outside. So, if this is how they’re going to treat me… I will continue to LEAK.
Apple iPad: What? You don’t honestly think they haven’t mastered protection for the new iPad? News Flash: They have!
Picture this: You live in the city. You don’t have a car because you ride the train to and from work. The average case isn’t good enough for this situation. We’re talking clean, comfortable and convenient is a must. For the user on the go, case-mate’s got you covered.
Picture this: You’re in class and everyone has the same case on their iPad. You don’t want to conform, but boy, you sure could use some protection – that tall kid who sits in front of you is always knocking things off your desk. What if you could customize the designs and colors of your case? If you want the best of both worlds: customization and protection, they got you covered again!
Picture this: It’s Monday, you don’t want to wake up. You’re late and rushing out the door for work. Coffee spills all over the brand new Hugo Boss shirt your wife just bought you. To top it all off you have a 9:00 a.m. meeting with the VP. Where is your iPad? Oh there it is, in the executive inspired chiche folio. For the user that wants business executive style and convenience, case-mate still has you covered.
Picture this: You are on a plane, no you’re at the coffee table, no wait you’re at your desk. Forget it. Who cares where you are? When you want to use your new iPad but don’t feel like holding it, don’t! Foldable, slim and contemporary designs, for the user that wants the perfect stand, case-mate will have you covered.
I hope you’re starting to get the point. Colors, privacy, comfort, style, they’ve got you covered. The ability to open the back door in a timely manner, they just can’t seem to figure that one out…
Until my next accident,
Fairbanks
Welcome to your first taste of the PD Slice, served weekly. PD (Product Development) is a mysterious department within case-mate. Therefore I will make it a point to cook you up just a little bit less than top-secret toppings. Otherwise, I’d have to kill you.
PD is so top secret that we are equipped with our own guard dog, Fairbanks. Standing 9 inches tall and weighing a beefy 9 lbs., Fairbanks is the leader of the PD pack.
Like Fairbanks, the rest of us animals in PD make it a point to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks to use the bathroom outside and of course, beg for food.
In an attempt to not over cook this first entry, consider your first PD slice served.
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