#VisualDiary3

[akcadle]

The second item for Visual Diary 3 is Tempo. Tempo is an at-home gym software that comes in various sizes. The one pictured here in my living room is the Tempo Move, but it also comes in a larger size called Tempo Studio. The software allows consumers to take any weight-lifting, cardio, yoga, (and more) course they want from the comfort of their home. There are trained professionals that lead classes, and often times celebrity guest athletes teach classes as well. Within your account, you can track progress, workouts, goals, and more without the hassle of downloading a separate app or keeping a spreadsheet. As you progress, the system will recommend classes for you to take to continue to challenge you and recommend various weights depending on where you're at in your fitness journey.

[nice-lines]

Visual diary #3 | Cervelo P-Series

There are dozens of bike manufacturers all vying for attention by offering new color schemes, updated drivetrains, and excellent brakes. I consider Cervelo cycles to be the one company that prioritizes the rider’s experience and comfort above all else.

Cervelo’s attention to detail and user-focused engineering approach redefined the entire cycling industry and forced other manufacturers to question what their focus should be.

Unlike their competitors, Cervelo doesn’t have dozens of different bike models. Instead, they focus their efforts on addressing the specific needs of everyday riders by ensuring their entire line-up can be easily reconfigured and adjusted to fit all body types. By having fewer models that are more flexible, Cervelo can then focus their efforts on constantly researching and improving their line-up.

There is no better example of how disruptive this shift has been than their P-Series triathlon bikes. Cervelo introduced the P-Series by setting out to better understand how riders used these bikes. Before the P-Series, most riders used road-specific bikes and added aero-bars to make them more aerodynamic. This approach didn’t address or seek to understand how the bike geometry could better support riders in this new position on long rides.

Instead of taking this approach, Cervelo designed an all new bike geometry that better positioned riders for long races. This new geometry was achieved after studying cyclists in wind tunnels and measuring their heart rate, lactic acid build-up, and overall body stress in different positions.

Cervelo’s P-Series combines a human-centered approach to its geometry with top of the line specs to deliver bikes that are ridden by elite professionals and weekend warriors. A fantastic example of their design leadership is seeing how many age-group (everyday athletes) triathletes and professionals alike use the same bike during races.

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Human-Centered Design

The Hidrate Spark water bottle is a great example of human-centered design in regards to drinking more water. Most people do not drink the suggested amount of water each day and even when you are being cognizant of it, are you successful?

The workday can be stressful and busy, so while we may be making a conscious effort, we can easily get off track with this goal. We need something that catches our attention and encourages us to reach the goal. This water bottle quite literally catches your attention with the glowing light that reminds you to drink. A blinking water bottle isn’t thoughtful enough on its own, but paired with a tracking system, it’s an excellent solution to meeting all of your water-drinking tracking needs! It also makes it a little competition to have with yourself to see if you can complete the goal, and that’s pretty cool. 😎 

[tjl87gu-blog]

The Owlet Smart Sock uses pulse oximetry to keep track of a baby’s heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep. It provides parents with peace-of-mind knowing that their baby is sleeping soundly. 

[shariwarnick-blog]

Design Leadership by Giving

Are you willing to pay more for a product when you know the company has a philosophy and solid plan in place for giving back? Toms is the first one that came to mind, because I think their giving plan has been in place longer than most and I think they built a lot of their growth and popularity by promoting their giving platform. I think it is fabulous design leadership to lead a company to make sure we all do our part to improve the world. Toms works with over 100 giving partners to provide shoes, sight, water, safe births and kindness. Here are a few more:

Patagonia: “the absolute commitment to environmental advocacy and product quality”

Google: Google Dot Org is one of the ways that Google gives back to local, national, and global communities.

Each year, Google Dot Org donates $100,000,000 in grants, 80,000 volunteer hours, and $1 billion in products.

They provide seed funding for global entrepreneurs in developing countries, community grants, disaster relief, and much more. Additionally, Google provides grants to help boost traffic to nonprofits’ websites through a program called Google Ad Grants.

SalesForce: “I have done everything from volunteering in a soup kitchen, to working at a children’s hospital in Morocco—all supported by the company.” Total philanthropic donations to date, $137,000,000.

The culture of giving back to better the world is a valuable leadership platform for any company. I know that when I hear that a company cares about philanthropic ventures, employee development through giving, I think that is stellar leadership. When a companies designs fabulous products AND gives back (even by charging us a little more for their product, making us feel like we are becoming part of that giving, that is design leadership.)

[akcadle]

My first human-centric design is Roku TV. I first encountered Roku when moving off to college and the problem it solved for me, like many, is the ability to stream live TV or shows without a cable box, satellite, or computer. All the apps you see here on the screen, among many more that are out of view or available to download allow viewers to stream their favorite shows, games, music, and more without the clunkiness of the additional technology to do so. To add on and make Roku accessible to more people without forcing them to buy a Roku TV, the company created HDMI sticks to plug into the back of any TV brand, allowing anyone to access the same software to stream whatever they please without purchasing a whole new TV.

[creativecollectionnk32-blog]

Nintendo Switch: Human-Centered Gaming Console

The Nintendo Switch might be the most human-centered gaming console of all time. The reason for this is how versatile it is and how it meets so many demands that gamers have for their consoles. It’s portable, multi-player functional, it can be docked to view and play on a larger screen and it’s actually good graphic quality considering it’s all of the above and more. 

Nintendo really had to come out with something great after their failed Nintendo Wii U, which they no longer make. They took humans into consideration first and foremost with this console and it shows. The fact that it allows for so many ways to play is really impressive and they made sure to keep their signature movement action as a way to play, that originally brought Nintendo Wii into the spotlight. While gaming consoles have many critics, I do think in terms of human-centered design, this is hands down the best there is right now. I expect to see other gaming companies mirror this idea and I think Nintendo will continue to build on this design for years to come.

[tjl87gu-blog]

Regular clothing for extraordinary kids! The Cat & Jack Adaptive Clothing line from Target makes a couple simple changes to the construction of the garment to enhance inclusivity in children’s clothing. A simple idea, a simple implementation, but a world of difference!