shadows on 1/4/2006 at 04:17
I am designing a digital desk, not for real but on paper and wanted to get some feedback specifically from engineers, designers, animators and architects, which this desk will be aimed at and suited for their use. I want to know what you think of the concept of the product, good and bad points, etc.
The surface of the desk will be 70x100 cms and is a touch and pressure computer screen. The idea is using a stylus the user would be able to write and draw on the screen and differing pressure will result in light/dark strokes. Free hand mode means what you draw will appear exactly as you drew it, augmented mode means writing will be turned into computer text and drawing for example a fairly straight line or circle the software enhances them it's a perfectly straight line or circle.
The windows and buttons on the screen can be manipulated by fingers and by the stylus. But a mouse replacement device shaped like a pyramid will replace the function of the mouse. It will enable windows to be moved and twists and quick swipes would open/close windows, etc.
The screen can also be tilted and moved backwards similar to a drafting table/board used by architects.
The desk will incorporate a scanner since the target users will need to input paper based information. A 3D holographic generator will enable 3 dimensional representations of drawings be it, a building design or animations.
If any of you have seen the film 'The Island' where the doctor uses the computer desk, this product is basically similar to that one.
That is the basic concept of the digital desk product, so opinions please and thank you for your help. :cheeky:
aguywhoplaysthief on 1/4/2006 at 06:00
So, it's basically a fancified Cintiq?
Sounds fine to me, but you're really going to have explain how a 3d holographic generator (they have those?) is going to be cost effective for those interested. What is the expected sales volume you are aiming for with this thing?
Also, human fingers on a screen = very bad.
Swiss Mercenary on 1/4/2006 at 07:29
I want a 5,600 THz CPU to be included in mine.
shadows on 1/4/2006 at 13:01
Yes i am aware there are similar products out there.
Quote Posted by aguywhoplaysthief
Sounds fine to me, but you're really going to have explain how a 3d holographic generator (they have those?) is going to be cost effective for those interested. What is the expected sales volume you are aiming for with this thing?
That is not the point of my project assignment, i am only required to design the thing and then get feedback on the design not do a marketing analysis on it. Let me emphasise once again I am not doing this for real real, i was told to design something and not worry about cost and stuff. :cheeky:
So if you're a engineer, designer, animator or architect just provide a few quick points of what you think of such a product. thank you.
shadows on 1/4/2006 at 18:46
So, no members are engineers, designers or animators? :wot:
aguywhoplaysthief on 1/4/2006 at 19:08
Dude, what do you want?
Look, being able to work directly on the screen is great. There really isn't much that can be said about it - I haven't heard of anyone bitching about them.
Holographic displays are great, I guess, although probably useless for most people, except for presentations for clients. Sounds like a novelty to me.
As for scanners, this seems questionable because I doubt that anyone is going to see the benefit of a built in scanner, when they can just continue to upgrade to better technology as it improves on a separate piece of equipment.
As for mouse replacements - good luck. I don't see how pyramids are comfortable, but then again, I've never held one.
Basically, you are going to have to explain why someone should buy all these as one piece instead of buy them individually, and changing what they want to change as they want to.
Kolya on 1/4/2006 at 19:12
A few of my friends studied to become designers. I remember trying to help one of them with his idea.
HE: I want to build a website where people can go who have personal problems and other users help them. It's all based on a rating system and you have your own avatar and walk around these virtual fully animated buildings to meet friends and hang out. It's gonna be really cool.
ME: Have you ever written a website?
HE: No, but I don't need to. I only need to hand in PDFs describing what I plan.
ME: What do you need my help for then? I build websites for money, not for dreaming up some funny idea that will never work.
Vigil on 1/4/2006 at 19:12
Quote:
So, no members are engineers, designers or animators?
Sure there are, we're just not interested.
Professionals already own perfectly good off-the-shelf computers, scanners, art tablets and software to do all the things the desk does. And, these can be moved around, taken home, replaced with better models, and so on. And, they don't involve fundamental changes to how professionals are accustomed to interacting with equipment they use every day.
To draw an analogy, what use is a kitchen bench that has a builtin toaster and kettle? Everybody who needs them already owns a toaster and a kettle and is able to easily accomodate them within their kitchen workspace. Having them builtin offers no added utility, decreases their replaceability and portability, and increases their cost. In return for what? Novelty? Trendiness?
Product design is about identifying and solving problems. What's the problem, and how does the desk solve it?
Edit: Fuck, beaten by agwypt
