Creative Thinking - Unique Idea Generation

Random thoughts with a purpose.

This is focusing on the very initial stages of a project...where most ideas get thrown out.  Don't be afraid to suggest seemingly irrelevant ideas.  New and unique concepts often come from ideas that are 'outside-the-box".  As cliché as that sounds, it is still difficult for most people do this.  As a creative person, it is my job to suggest things that the average person wouldn't.  This is creativity.  A successful designer has the ability to understand the link between a unique idea and the project at hand, all while explaining the idea effectively.

This stage can be very sensitive...nobody likes presenting an idea that doesn't work.  But it may happen during this initial process, because the important thing is to throw out all ideas.  This helps to build the creative energy of the rest of your team.  In a brainstorm session, these unique and 'odd-ball' ideas direct people's thoughts to new directions they wouldn't have come up with otherwise.  This happens to me ALL the time.  Someone says something I didn't expect, and it gives me new ideas and expands on my limitations.  Even if what they said doesn't directly apply to the solution, it's immensely helpful for creating a pathway to a potentially great concept.

To summarize, be open with your ideas and share them with others.  If you're on a team, do this constantly with your co-workers.  Creativity will grow and you will develop more exciting and original solutions.

Design Intern

Hi, I'm Miguel; Juggernaut's current design intern for Summer 2013. This summer has been a great learning experience in readying me for the design industry. I've had the opportunity to work on numerous projects in many industries through sketching, design research, computer-modeling, product tear-downs and client presentations.

During this internship experience, I've come to realize the importance of collaboration in the design process and the importance of keeping the client well-informed of the project. Juggernaut Design has given me a great outlook and skills in this respect, for which I am grateful.

I'm so ready to get through this final year at Arizona State and return to the professional practice!

Finishing on time

Every project has it's own set of objects; different deliverables, schedules, and deadlines.  Often, there are many unknowns in regards to all of these items upon starting a project.  An important aspect of doing great work is hitting deadlines consistently, and with quality solutions.  To do this, we manage our time by focusing on priorities, and consistently review the status of all our projects.

At any giving time we will have multiple projects on the table.  Some projects in the heat of development, a few on hold, and others that may be less of a priority or have longer deadlines.  Before kicking-off each of these projects, we define a schedule based on the tentative layout of project deliverables.  Regardless of whether these dates are set-in-stone or just rough estimates, we will always create this schedule and see how it fits with our current work load.

Evaluating the best way to allocate our time with a current project list is something we do as a team, and ensures that we all know what's going on at any given point.  Sometimes deadlines shift forward suddenly, and priorities change.  We are used to this, and handle sudden changes of deadlines quite a bit.  Although it doesn't happen much, working late nights or even through the night is something we'll do to make sure we finish on time.  Whatever it takes to meet a deadline, we strive to make sure clients are happy and satisfied.

Visualization with Modo

Over the past month we have been integrating Luxology's Modo into our design process.  Modo 701 is a modeling, rendering, and animation platform that offers realistic visualization of our product ideas and their functions.  We will be using it strictly for product design communication, but the program is capable of doing Hollywood level special effects.  Studios Pixar and ILM use Modo for their productions.


S4 Case with Mount

An important aspect of product development is effectively communicating our ideas of shape, form, color, texture, and graphics.  There are a number of different ways we do this, and Modo is going to be a big help showcasing realism and function (through animation).  Creating a realistic visualization of a product is something clients always enjoy.  They get to 'see' their product and can review different color and texture options before going to final production.  We've used PhotoView 360 previously as our go-to rendering platform, but Modo offers much, much more in terms of realism and animation.

 

The rendering and animation are of the Samsung GALAXY S4 Juggernaut.Case, a Juggernaut Defense project.  For more details, check out www.Juggernautcase.com

Rugged Product DNA

When we design equipment for the Defense market the ruggedization requirements are typically well understood and specified at the onset of a new development project.  When designing products for other markets; consumer, business equipment, medical....the ruggedization requirements are often not as obvious and can be an afterthought.  Our experience is that durability and ruggedization are  key design considerations in almost every product.  To help our clients bring the conversation of durability to the early stages of the design process, we have developed a design tool, the Juggernaut Ruggedization Scale.  The exercise of  completing the scale highlights challenges and guides decisions throughout the development process.

A couple of examples of products that you wouldn't necessarily consider 'Rugged':

POS Terminals -   We have been involved in the development of many POS devices.  As a piece of 'public' business equipment, these terminals need to withstand an highly abusive environment. Items on the ruggedization scale that can effect design decisions include; button life cycle and graphics wear, material selection and typical wall thickness, sealing for spill resistance and cleaning, changeable touch screen protectors.




Medical Equipment - In researching the daily use scenarios of an expensive surgical x-ray device ,we observed that the equipment took a beating in transporting from room to room and especially in the 'equipment corral' where it was stored with other expensive devices.  This observation lead us to a design solution where the device protects itself in the stowed transport position within a footprint surrounded by bumpers.

Kit Bashing

The term "kit bashing" means to destroy a perfectly good and working product in attempts to create another product - typically a mockup or idea. Its a fun and creative exercise we do from time to time during the initial phases of the product design process.

Extensive development costs (man hours and purchasing costs) can be spent reaching a point to prove an idea. But in some cases the idea or action were trying to prove already exists but in a completely different platform/product category.

Not only does this exercise save time but it is very effective in manipulating existing technology or action or as simple as highlighting a shape, material or color.

Unique Material Application

This past week I have been researching some pretty interesting materials.

At our studio we are currently working on a project that requires finding a material that does all of the following - solid (but free-flowing), clear visibility, self healing, and non-sticky.  Believe me, there are not many materials in the world that fit this bill.

Completely solid materials were too limiting, so I began searching in the non-Newtonian fluid realm.  I was directed towards objects such as Oobleck, Floam, and Silly Putty...but transparency was still an issue.  Eventually I came across an amazing product called Crystal Clear Thinking Putty which I found on Puttyworld.com.  This material is completely clear, forms back into itself after being stretched and pressed, is only slightly tacky, and never dries out.

We've done initial tests with this material, and so far it has met everything we are looking for.  Very amazing stuff, and a lot of fun to work with.  This is a great example of a material application that is quite unique.  Often times it takes an unexpected direction to find a solution for a project!



Clear Thinking Putty (also shown with small acrylic balls mixed in)

Its finally here... The Refresher FS2

A few entries back, I shared my experiences while attending the 2013 PGA show launching the Refresher 1200 with Flex Serve technology. After a couple of months of engineering modifications and vehicle platform changes it's ready for taking orders.

Just shy of a year, we teamed with 19th Hole Marketing on this massive project with just an idea -how can we leapfrog the current cart vending paradigm? It has been a fun ride with the creative team from 19th Hole and we look forward to other large scale projects with them.

With all of the buzz I saw over the Refresher 1200 prototype at the PGA show I know this will be a hit out on the golf course.
More importantly this will be an exciting year for 19th Hole Marketing - start the punch presses!

Being A Service Leader

When it comes to evaluating service performance, we're in a unique position.  We're both a service provider and a service recipient.  When we're the recipient, our experience ranges from frustrating to exceeding our expectations.  In either case, our experience causes me to reflect on the service that we are delivering.

The New Service Paradigm - there are some companies that we deal with that are what I consider 'Wired' (taken from Wired, one of my favorite magazines, meaning dialed in and an innovation leader).  These companies have reinvented how service is provided in their industry and have raised the standard for everyone else.  Examples include Protomold, McMasterCarr, Rapid Sheetmetal and UPS.  These Wired companies have streamlined their operational processes through careful attention to every interaction and consistent performance.   They have invested in being an expert in the area that they service.  

Higher expectations created by Wired companies highlight service providers that are not.  Common frustrations include:

• Not presenting a clear process: How do I work with you?
• Getting to the price
• Getting answers related to schedule and status
• Inconsistent performance and results

This topic has spurred many discussions and actions here at the Juggernaut studio to be Wired. I'll admit that this is a moving target and we're continually working to improve.  Even though product development is a complex and not always straight line activity, we strive to:

• Help our clients define and understand the project
• Provide consistent processes that deliver consistent results
• Discuss costs early and providerealistic budgets up front
• Collaborate - providing frequent reviews and updates
• Be easy to contact

I can't stress the last point enough; the act of simply making myself available to our client has a tremendous impact.

Recycling - YouChange

With the arrival of newer and faster tech comes the time to say good-bye to outdated electronics.


Old Juggernaut Equipment

Over time, the accumulation of old unused computers, keyboards, routers, and printers begins to pile up in random places around the studio. It reaches a point where everyone says, "Hey, we should really get rid of all this junk!"

Over the past year at Juggernaut we have updated our workstations with new computers, monitors, and printers.  As technology becomes more efficient, it is important that we stay up to date and take advantage of what's available.  Not only with hardware, but software as well.  Newer tools are worth upgrading to because in the end it makes our workflow faster and increases our creative options.

We will be donating all our old electronics gear to YouChange during their Earth Day drive.  Instead of these items ending up in the landfill, YouChange will recycle everything in a responsible way.  It is a great program, and something to take advantage of if you're ready to send off your well used electronics.

Creative Thinking - New Perspectives

Try something different.  Break your routine.

A nice plus about working in a consultancy is that we have experience with numerous subjects of product development.  Solutions from a medical project might have great potential in a consumer product.  Things like traveling to a new country, picking up a new interest/hobby, spending time with a crowd you might not normally hang with....these are all good ways to expand your thoughts and opinions.  Very useful for building your creative mind.

Image-Line's Harmor Plugin

I've recently become more and more inspired by interface designs, like those in phone and tablet apps - but more specifically DAW music production software.  The hundreds of plugins which can be used in a DAW have many different styles, layouts, colors, themes, etc ... Some of the designs and details are beautiful and very well done.  Unique buttons/knobs, slider/tab shapes, color use, font types and sizes, pop up menus - all of these provide inspiration for the work I do.

This is just one example of a recent personal hobby I've gotten into that has opened my eyes to many new visual ideas.  Without exposure to these interfaces, my creative thinking wouldn't have the same range of possibilities.

Relevancy

How to stay relevant to a seasoned client...

Sometimes when firms like ours have long-term relationships with company's that have a steady pipeline of new projects, you need to find ways not to become complacent or loose your independent perspective.
One of the challenges I'm facing with a client of ours is how to keeping them focused on our expertise while building a long term relationship.

I use a couple techniques...

1. Change up the presentations.
It’s easy to fall into a routine, but I think routine kills creativity. Juggernaut has implemented a new research method, and engaged them by sharing ideas through story telling. The goal of our process is to encourage action on the part of the client. Is someone working harder than you to find out what your competition is doing?

2. Focus on why they need it and NOT what they need.
As a design consultants, we wear many hats and have to tap into countless knowledge bases. The client is expecting us to help pave the future of their product road-map. Here at the studio, we tap into our client's concerns and work to turn their problems into potential opportunities.

3. Simply be available.
I like to think of our client’s time is more important than mine; good chance it probably is. When the client has an idea (whether it’s a new product category, new material or manufacturing process) I engage them, show interest, and point to advantages and disadvantages of topics discussed. Assist in building new SOW, if they value our input, they will trust our insight.

I always remind myself, our valued client may be looking at our competition!

Game on!

Spring training in Arizona makes for the perfect Juggernaut outing!

Since the construction of the Salt River Fields stadium 2 years ago (few miles from our office), we’ve gone as a group every year to catch a game for the afternoon.  Nice to be out together in the beautiful weather, drinking some beers, and enjoying some down time in front of a casual baseball game.

CES 2013 - part 2



Parrot Zik Headphones



Another observation from my visit to CES the year was seeing more touch interfaces.  The Zik headphones by Parrot have touch-sensitive controls on the right earpiece.  This is a slick way of navigating through your playlist and works fairly well too.  Our phones today have transitioned to touchscreen control and interaction, moving away from physical buttons.  A few projects we are currently working on in the Juggernaut studio are making this transition as well, and it’s easy to see how 10 years from now there may not be any physical buttons left in the world beyond a power button.  Other products are going this direction too as interface screens and displays are becoming the norm in home appliances…..as seen in many of LG’s displays.  Staying up to date with current trends in graphics, icons use, font choices, are all things I’m thinking of more and more.

It's always exciting to see new technologies and interactions…..these make design more fun as creative possibilities are always changing!

The 2013 PGA Merchandising Show...

I love to play golf so I made sure I would attend the biggest show the golf world has to offer - the 2013 PGA show in Orlando.

More importantly I was there to launch a new product that we've been working on here at the Juggernaut Studio, for EZGo/Cushman, the Refresher 1200 with FlexServe technology. It was the talk of the show and turned many heads, as it should - it's the first in the industry offering modularity to drive higher sales of food, drink and merchandise on the golf course. One of the design features I advocated is the large wrap around counter. The counter adds to the functionality of the product, but also engages people; welcoming golfers to step up and interact with the merchandise.

Not only is the Refresher 1200 a mobile storefront but its the first to offer tapped beer on the course... and who wouldn't want that!

This video from EZGo/Cushman shows it off... enjoy!

CES 2013 - part 1

I had a chance to spend a day at CES this year, and left with a couple thoughts.  There‘s always a lot to take in at the show, but my attention was focused on a few topics.

Here at Juggernaut Design, one of the things we're know for is our expertise in rugged devices.  It was interesting to see waterproofing technologies making their way into everyday electronic devices, and it’s exciting to think of the possibilities this can bring in the future of design.  Companies like Liquipel and HzO have developed methods of waterproofing just about anything.  From electronic devices, like our phones and tablets, to simpler things like paper and cloth.  Products like the newly released Sony Xperia Z smartphone has already introduced this waterproofing tech, and can last 30 minutes submerged in a meter of water, all while being fully functional.  The little worries of everyday life like rainstorms, desk spills, dropping your phone in the sink.....you don’t need to worry about that anymore.  And a waterproof case isn’t required either.  It’ll be a few years before this tech will become a standard process in manufacturing, but it will happen, and with it will open up many new opportunities.

Part 2 to follow shortly....