INTEL
I spent over a decade at Intel occupying an unusual role in the company as an Industrial designer. I was primarily focused on mediating the intersection between Intel technology 'push' and user 'pull' by creating concept, reference designs and prototypes built to test and evangelize the best attributes of future technologies to PC manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell, HP and others. While based in Hillsboro Oregon, much time was spent in Asia liaising with manufacturers to deliver working prototypes.
Prior to this I worked in a research group that included ethnographers, and anthropologists where we created narratives, to inform concepts to evangelize the strategic value of Design as a tool to convey the potential of Intel technologies to a wider audience.
Below are a few examples of functional prototypes and reference designs where Industrial Design helped drive the story.
CHROMEBOOK
Aimed at demonstrating Intel silicon capabilities in a Chromebook and targeting the educational market, I worked with a talented design intern, platform engineers, and a manufacturer in China to create a functional 'convertible' ChromeBook reference design that could function as both tablet and notebook. (patents granted)
OLIDATA 'ALTRO'
Olidata, an Italian computer system manufacturer collaborated with Intel to produce a low-cost MacBook Air product. Working in both Italy and China I created a design that had to artfully step between 'me too' Industrial Design while responding to a clear set of technical and marketing requirements. Acer subsequently acquired a controlling interest in the product.
Honorable Mention 2009
'LIGHTLAKE'
By integrating multiple sensors into a light fixing including, motion, temperature sensing and networking capabilities, this program demonstrated the potential to quickly set up ‘smart’ environments’ within pre-existing building infrastructure.
'COYOTE MOUNTAIN'
An Innovation Development Vehicle”, this program advocated the idea of the “PC in your pocket” by demonstrating the ability of scalable performance to deliver a great hand held phablet experience and deliver a Windows desktop experience when inserted into an active cooling dock. Performance is ramped up to experience on full size monitors.
As well as driving design vision I spent weeks on the ground in Singapore with toolmakers to achieve the design target thicknesses.
