July 2022: Summer Sun and Sustainability

August has already been good to Speck Design!

We’ve seen new projects open, punch lists?closed out, and even had a client launch a successful Kickstarter with our encouragement and full support. If this first half of August?was any indication of what is to come?—?our future is as bright as the summer sun!

Keep an eye on our?LinkedIn ?this month as we explore regenerative design during a month of already unprecedented weather anomalies (in a time when climate change can no longer be ignored).?We’d love to hear your thoughts and encourage you to invite?our conversation into your own circles too.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Adapting User Experience to Heal a Generation of Broken People: Part 2

In the second part of our user experience article , we explored how in good times and bad, the things we use every day shape our lives and our well-being. In doing so, it became clear —?a product designer's mind belongs to crisis. So we reframed the pandemic and used it as an opportunity for us to rethink why things work the way they do and then, at the drop of a hat, they?don't. This reminded us the products we design are ephemeral, but the experiences we design are not.

Speck Design?Partner, Odin Products, Launches Kickstarter for First Ever iPhone Case with Front & Back Camera Blocker

????We were so happy to announce a Kickstarter launch from one of our development partners, Odin Products! Our team worked incredibly hard to create a phone case that is the next generation of iPhone protection, privacy, and style. Our friends' and clients' dream is officially a reality. Watch the rest of their journey for yourself on their?Kickstarter ?page.

ON??THE?HORIZON

Regenerative Product Design

As the heat peaks and sears across the country, we can’t help but be reminded that the climate is changing — fast. We understand, as industrial designers, that the products we create play a role in the fragile and connected ecosystems in which they ultimately end up living and “dying.” Regenerative design, or a whole systems approach to design, is a powerful tool in any designer's kit to design out waste. This month we’ll explore circular thinking as it applies to product design, personal choices, dampening impact, and preserving precious resources.

INTERESTING?FINDS

Circular Design Co: Circular Materials Directory

What's one of the best ways to lower the climate impact of the things we make and use? Designing out waste. The?Circular Design Co ?has started a directory of building and product materials created for durability, product life extension, and end-of-life solutions. It’s open source for users, so not only can you learn more but add more too!

Leyla Acaroglu: Designing Disruptive Change

In the year 2022, you really can’t start a conversation about regenerative design without being inspired by?Leyla Acaroglu . Her bodies of work on how designers can facilitate positive change are extensive! Choosing just one piece of wisdom from her was hard. However, her provocations on the role of design in shaping a better future and helping to address the climate and waste (in this talk in particular) are on point. Enjoy!

At Speck Design , we have been creating the future for 25 years, helping our clients build lasting connections with their customers through compelling and innovative product design . We believe the catalyst for effective design is passion, diversity, and partnership. We work with organizations big and small, local and global, start-up and legacy to bring their dreams to life and their vision to market. Reach out to us to chat about your product development project today!