Design for the Other 90% 2013
Bmobile Cellphone Design 10 Weeks, Individual Project, Roles on Technology Research, Idea Sketching, 3D Modeling, and Prototyping
Bmobile, the South America technology company, sponsored this project to look for low-cost mobile solutions to meet the needs of Latino users. In the research phase, we teamed up in three groups for user, technology, and trend research. Then we based on the research findings to create a family product, including a bar phone, a qwerty phone, and a smart phone. My design concept “Pure Ñ“ is to utilize low
cost manufacturing process, aluminum extrusion, to create unique appearance for the South America users. The feature of Spanish Keypad is particularly made for typing convenience and the symbolization of the Latino spirit.
Research Analog TV
Rely on Family or Friends
Informal resellers
Text messaging Voice calls
Readily Adopted Features
Aid in informal job markets Social ties
Other expenditures
Unaffordable
Trust networks Enhance personal security
Affordable
Concerns about Mobile Cost
Merits
Mobile Connections
User Research
Latino users, especially the underprivileged, even though struggle with many living issues and concern for the cost of mobile service, they are still idealistic for chasing dreams and aspire to the material wealth of the US. Living Issues
Cultural Specifics
Bond
Belief
Passion
Unsafety
Huge Socio-economic Gap
Family
No trust with the corruption of power
Aspiration to the material wealth of the US , yet with strong nationalist heart
Muggings
The impoverished v.s. The wealthy
Language Religion Country Revolution Soccer
Idealistic for believing in building one’s dream
Kidnapping Gang Violence Robberies Police Brutality & Corruption
Innovate
Technology Research
Phosphorescence
Rust Oleum
Floodlight LED
Modular Design
Ultra sound
Phones can glow without using up battery.
Never Wet can waterproof phone.
Important feature for South American market American.
Manages inventory efficiently. Customized product and unique experience for customer.
To disarm a thief or ward away disease spreading mosquitoes.
To balance the limit of manufacturing cost and user’s needs, retaining and reinventing selected technology could build the components of a mobile phone in an innovative way.
Retain
Renew
TFT LCD
Li-ion Battery
Polycarbonate
Silicone
Antenna
Good performance, economic.
Will be the best for the next few years.
PC gives more rich finish.
Repurpose silicone by using in body also.
New possibilities and perhaps more functions.
Design Criteria Maintain the particular features of a mobile device that Latino people love to use, such as free analog TV. Utilize low-cost materials and manufacturing process to create high-end appearance. Emphasize the bond of the Latino spirit to increase their emotional connection. Provide unique features to improve user’s living condition.
2D Concept Sketches Form Innovation
Branding
ry
imic
Biom
Modular Design
Soccer
Stand
New Feature
The goal of these ideas is to meet users’ needs and creating a unique brand language for Bmobile. The design direction focused on the following points: - Utilizing LED lights in their daily lives for entertaining and safty issues. - Connecting Spanish keypad to the branding strategy. - Unique form development for the users in South America. - Modular design for greater possibilities. - Soccer inspiration for connecting to user’s culture.
Wei-Hsin Lai [ Industrial Designer ]
Final Design Pure Ñ
Bar phone - Spanish keypad: Ñ key - Underneath LED light - Translucent side cap
LED Light - Glow in the dark
“Pure Ñ“ is a family product, including a bar phone, a qwerty phone, and a smart phone. The concept is to utilize low cost manufacturing process, aluminum extrusion, to create unique appearance for the South American market. By using aluminum extrusion, the shell of mobile phones could show high-end quality. Moreover, the feature of spanish keypad is perticularly made for typing convenience and the simbolization of the Latino spirit.
Exploded View
Spanish keypad
Color Combination
Alternative materials
Orthographics
Qwerty phone
Smart phone Color Combination
Side profile - Representation of Bmobile
Color Combination
Watching analog TV
Entertainment
Mosquito repellent & A hole for standing Exploded View
Power & volume key on right side
Speaker on the back Orthographics
Exploded View
Orthographics