Please tell us about one of your favorite examples of graphic or industrial design (make sure you are clear on the distinction between them). Considering both its form and function, what do you find most effective about this design?
Post:
One of my favorite examples of industrial design is Rene Lee's Obento Note. It is only in the design and prototype stage , but shows a lot of promise to change the way we interact with most of our everyday electronics. The Obento Note is a laptop/tablet/smartphone hybrid designed by Lee for Fujitsu in 2011.
The idea is simple really, you take the three most used electronic devices and combine them into one great unit that all work together perfectly. It makes you wonder why this hasn't already been done, it has been tried, but nothing to this degree. For the design Lee went very minimal, sticking with the less is more idea. He was inspired by a bento box, that way when you are done using a device you can still just carry one instead of many.
The idea not only looks great but already improves the items we are already using. The design leaves a lot of room for custom controls and key mapping that can be used for different purposes based on the user.
Thinking ahead the Obento Note was designed with the future in mind. Rather than replacing your entire setup as the years go by the Obento Note's modular architecture makes the device easily upgradable.
For more information on the Obento Note just follow the links. Rene Lee's website also has many more cool industrial design examples.
Thinking ahead the Obento Note was designed with the future in mind. Rather than replacing your entire setup as the years go by the Obento Note's modular architecture makes the device easily upgradable.
