Downloading - iLounge

IDESIGN THE IDESIGN INTERVIEW
Nils Gustafsson
Managing Director
+ Co-Founder
Erich Huang
Managing Director
+ Co-Founder
IPAD 2 BUYERS’ GUIDE
Just Mobile and its collaborators at Danish
design firm Tools discussed their projects
with us, including the challenges of accessory
creation for the iPad and designing electronic
add-ons, following Apple’s lead in developing
aluminum accessories, and the thinking
behind the uniquely chunky, pencil-like
AluPen stylus.
On Aluminum
Just Mobile’s choice of aluminum as a base
material in its products was a conscious effort
to create a sense of quality and value; it has
consequently appeared in everything from
the company’s iPod/iPhone/iPad stands to
Mac shelves and mousepads. “Apple users
appreciate design and craftsmanship more
so than other mobile users,” says Huang.
“We want to make not only accessories but
also design objects, objects that users will
associate with and desire to have. Our design
priority has always been in form and function
first, and material choice second. We are
actually open to other material options, and it
won’t be surprising if we incorporate them in
the near future in our products.”
On the AluPen’s Chunky Design
“In this computer age, less and
less people use a pen to write,”
says Gustafsson. “Many users
prefer AluPen for its unique form
factor and smooth and precise
control on iPad.” Why? “The 6-sided
geometry of the traditional pencil
has proved its value over the years
and even though materials are new
it still communicates what it does,”
explains the team from Tools. “The
‘fat’ and slightly oversized nature is
intended to avoid confusing it with a
real pencil.... We believe we found a
new shape by using an old reference,
thereby creating a functional object
that is instantly familiar although the
technology it controls is new.”
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