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6 - Product design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 October 2012

Abhi Naha
Affiliation:
Zone V Ltd.
Peter Whale
Affiliation:
Qualcomm
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Summary

Introduction

In this chapter, we move the focus away from core handset components, designed to be used in many different handset designs, to the key principles involved in designing a particular handset. Drawing from the best design practice of handset designers who have created commercially and globally successful iconic handsets, two key themes emerge:

  1. applying a holistic design approach;

  2. embedding desirability at the start of the design process.

Holistic design is the integration and blending together of all of the individual design aspects – such as industrial, mechanical, user interface, hardware and software design – in such a way that a balance and synergy is achieved between the different design disciplines. The resulting handset should feel like a complete entity in and of itself, rather than a collection of things “stuck together.”

Desirability is the expression of the needs and desires of the mobile user, encapsulated within the design.

In order to achieve a successful handset design, it is critical to map out the user’s expectations, desires and needs at the beginning of the handset design. Elements of desirability must be injected into the overall handset design along each path of the design flow. This involves everything from choosing the colors and materials of the handset through to the way a user’s finger feels a feedback click on the touchscreen and even to the ambience felt when a customer enters a handset showroom. Mapping this out at the beginning of the design process is important in order to ensure a consistency and adherence to the user expectations and desires throughout the whole design process.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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  • Product design
  • Abhi Naha, Peter Whale
  • Book: Essentials of Mobile Handset Design
  • Online publication: 05 October 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511844508.007
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  • Product design
  • Abhi Naha, Peter Whale
  • Book: Essentials of Mobile Handset Design
  • Online publication: 05 October 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511844508.007
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Product design
  • Abhi Naha, Peter Whale
  • Book: Essentials of Mobile Handset Design
  • Online publication: 05 October 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511844508.007
Available formats
×