How do you bring applianceness to your appliances?

The Appliance Studio approach to design combines our several disciplines to look at it from two angles: the macro view and the micro view.

The macro view looks at the context in which an appliance will be used, and asks questions about the whole system. We consider what the user might need, at what time, and in what location. We think about what else a user might have on his mind at that moment. And we think about how we can support the user's goal with a single function device – providing a sense of closure.

The micro view looks specifically at the appliance itself, especially its interaction with the user. We look at whether the behaviour of the appliance can be made immediate (allowing it to be used in the moment), and whether it can be made transparent (allowing it be used without thinking). We look for opportunities to provide sensory feedback (not just the visual feedback familiar from ordinary computers). And we try to design the appliance so that it mediates human interaction rather than attempting to automate it.

You can read more about our unique approach to designing information appliances by downloading our appliance whitepaper.