Author Archive

Several Design Concepts’ staff members rode on the Cadence Keepers team in the Best Dam Bike Ride, August 7 – 8, 2010. Cyclists rode 75-miles each day of the two-event raising funds for the Wisconsin chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

It was hot, humid and rained on Sunday, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm or the commitment of the riders. The 17-member Cadence Keepers team raised an amazing $8,000 in support of a great cause.

To look for the next generation of engineering and design talent, look no further than the kids selected to participate in the University of Wisconsin – Madison College of Engineering’s Camp Badger program. On Friday, July 23rd, Design Concepts’ staff members were visited by thirty-three, soon-to-be eighth grade students attending the week-long residential learning opportunity held on the UW campus each year.

Their creativity and enthusiasm were clear as they pondered a better way to move books from class to class and make today’s backpack obsolete. Their free-wheeling brainstorming session generated amazing ideas that got everyone talking and thinking about how great ideas become successful new products.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010
Contact: Sandy Rodgers, marketing manager
Ph.: 800-344-2623

MADISON, WISCONSIN – Design Concepts, Inc., a nationally-recognized innovation consultancy located in Madison, WI, has expanded its human factors expertise with the addition to the staff of Curt Irwin, Ph.D., human factors engineer.

The much anticipated iphone4 went on sale Thursday, June 24 after much anticipation from the techno-savvy. But as shoppers rush to be the first to discard their seemingly ancient iphone predecessors, buyers and reviewers are pointing to a persistent problem.

It seems reception for the iphone4 can be impaired depending on how you hold the phone. The problem is perhaps due to an internal antenna that is embedded along the edge of the phone, directly under a user’s grip. Apple, the quintessential hallmark of innovation, responded, “Just avoid holding it in that way.” “That way” being the intuitive, fairly standard way to hold a cell phone. And, in an upsell worthy of any telemarketer working today, they recommend buying the iphone4 cover to reduce the interference, among other ideas.

It may be the ultimate karmic twist that in addition to CNN’s report
on the matter, Gizmodo (who found the iphone4 prototype) and Engadget (who posted the prototype photo) are sharing what looks to be the original email from Apple CEO Steve Jobs offering the advice, as well as Apple’s follow up clarifications.

Based on Jobs initial response, there appears to be a fine line between reinventing the user experience and vaudeville. His advice bears a striking resemblance to the tired classic: A guy goes into a Dr.’s office saying, “It hurts when I do this.” To which the Dr. replies, “So don’t do that.” Perhaps Apple has an amazing sense of humor with regard to their products and this is all a misunderstanding. Surely they are joking if they believe there’s no problem with the design, just the user’s hand.

As for advice regarding iterations of other Apple products, maybe Jobs will continue in this vein and fall back on comedy staple, “a man, a parrot and donkey all set off in a boat …” Forget the Worldwide Developers Conference, Jobs should be at the Bellagio. No doubt seats would sell out early.

Each year, Design Concepts hosts internship opportunities for students interested in the field of design. This year, we’re welcoming four talented individuals (some current students, some recent graduates) with skills in strategy & research, industrial design and graphic design. They’ll work on every aspect of client projects as well as projects internal to the firm.

In addition to project work, this year’s interns will complete a research project for Design Concepts’ exploring the decision making process. Their completed project will articulate the motivation and process behind the choices we make and will guide the company’s thinking on future projects and client work.

We feel fortuante to have them here, and just had to ask: How did we get so lucky? Why did you choose an internship at Design Concepts?

Pictured (from left to right)

Jarod Beukelman
BFA, Savannah College of Art and Design, Industrial Design
Design Concepts was not just another industrial design firm ornamenting useless objects with plastic. Rather they seemed to really value the holistic design process to solve problems that better people’s lives.

Vivian Lin
Current candidate for AAS in Mechanical Design Technology at Madison Area Technical College (MATC)

PhD, Linguistics (MIT)
MA, Linguistics (SOAS, University of London)
BA, Linguistics (Harvard)
I loved the energy of the people I’d met, and I was drawn by the company’s philosophy and culture. I also felt that the people at Design Concepts were offering me a tremendous opportunity to learn, as well as contribute. I want to help design cool stuff, too!

Jake Ruesch
Herzing University, Graphic Design
I loved the atmosphere, people, projects and the potential for personal growth.

Nick Remis
Savannah College of Art and Design, Industrial and Service Design
I chose an internship with Design Concepts because they use a wide variety of methodologies and disciplines to create innovative strategies, concepts and products for a wide range of clients and fields.