DBA Design Challenge 2003

'ello' - Inability not Disability
Seymourpowell

Mobile communications devices have transformed our lives. Yet with each new model the features multiply while the product shrinks in size in the mistaken belief that this is what we as consumers want.

Seymourpowell have taken Mies van de Rohe's 'less is more' philosophy and applied it to a piece of communications equipment that is vital to people's ability to remain independent and yet stay in touch, especially if they are disabled. Their design focus is to address the needs of as wide an audience as possible, irrespective of age or ability, and create a commercially viable device that will be intuitive to use and thereby instil confidence in the user.

Some User Issues

• Technophobia
• Inability to access even simple functions
• Operation not intuitive
• Buttons too small - "I want to be able to get to the keys and turn it on quickly"
• Interface too complex.

How Does it Work?

• Compact folding device with easy-to-open 'book edges' for one-handed use
• Ready to use when opened
• Keypad rises when opened for increased tactile feedback
• Prominent five key is convex while other keys are concave for easy navigation
• Border of each key lights up to indicate it has registered
• Clear contrasting graphics
• Dedicated memory keys
• Simple programming
• Audio and visual feedback when operation is successful
• Light indicator on one memory key flashes when caller is known
• All three keys light up and the phone vibrates when caller is unknown
• One button direct link to voice mail
• Button pops up to indicate new message
• Slider adjusts ringer volume by covering or exposing speaker
• Larger speaker gives better sound quality and reduces ambient noise
• Gauge on front gives visual proportional readout of battery power
• Phone recharged by placing in cradle eliminating need to plug in each time
• Increased battery life through elimination of screen.