(Part 1 of a series on Industrial Design at Clarity)
It’s funny how idea generation works, isn’t it? Many times product or design ideas are born out of research, but sometimes that elusive “big idea” will come from the unlikeliest of sources at the unlikeliest of times – at an ice cream social, for instance.
Since it began, the amplified telephone industry has been dedicated to improving lives through technology – specifically, audio technology that allows people to hear more clearly on the phone. Our patented Clarity Power and Digital Clarity Power technologies have done just that, and millions of people are benefiting from those solutions every day. However, that narrow focus on the audio performance has sometimes led to a less than ideal user experience. Furthermore, the semi-medical marketplace in which amplified phones have traditionally been sold has allowed products to succeed despite lackluster design. As the industry matures and the market for assistive listening devices expands (think Baby Boomers), this approach simply won’t work. A holistic approach to industrial design will be required to create products that will resonate with the customers who need them.
So what about that “big idea?” How is an ice cream social going to revolutionize our industry?
Some time ago, at a Clarity employee event, creativity was sparked while we were enjoying some of our favorite cold, frozen treats. One employee jokingly held up a metal ice cream scoop to their ear and began pretending to talk on the phone. As the laughter subsided, someone asked “Why couldn’t a phone look like that?” After all, the shape of the scoop would provide a good seal between the ear and the phone, providing acoustic advantages, and the rounded handle is comfortable and easy to hold. Maybe we were on to something…
After that initial moment of inspiration, we began taking a fresh look at the wants and needs of not only our current customers, but of the millions of Boomers who are beginning to search for hearing loss solutions. The semi-medical nature and often-lackluster design of amplified telephones have created something of a social stigma and a barrier to acceptance among many customers. Making design a priority will allow us to overcome these obstacles and earn our future products a valued place in the lifestyles of our customers. Through a lot of research and discussion about the wants and needs of our current and future customers, six key design components emerged, which we now refer to as the Clarity Identity Components. They are: Audibility, Explainability, Simplicity, Comfortability, Distinctibility and Durability.
Stay tuned for part two of this series as we explore the Clarity Identity Components in depth and take a look at the early concept sketches for the Gecko platform.
Posted by Wes Barker, Clarity
Technorati tags: Industrial Design, Products, Baby Boomers, Amplified Telephone, Clarity, Hearing Loss,