You wouldn't think snowboarding had a lot to do with design, but for Kyle Swen and Danny Peter, hitting the slopes is considered legitimate research. "We work on a lot of so-called 'California lifestyle' products, so participating in outdoor activities is just a necessary part of our jobs," says Swen, "a very fun part."
In fact, Swen and Peter enjoy most everything about their product design work, which ranges from sports accessories to computer housing. "I think my favorite part is just picking up the pencil and drawing," says Peter, who specializes in three-dimensional "exploded view" drawings, where all the parts and pieces of an item are shown so a viewer can see how they all fit together. "It's a very effective way to show how things are made," he says.
Indeed, making things--and life--better is what their work is all about. "Our goal is to make products more enjoyable to use," says Swen. "We want to enhance people's lives, emotionally or physically. And we find there are lots of opportunities to do that."
Both feel their work island is a good example of making life better in the workplace. "Beyond ergonomics, we studied what makes people feel cozy and comfortable in their environment," explains Swen.
"We wanted to create a place where coworkers could talk casually or collaborate with one another, like gathering around the old water cooler," adds Peter. "You think differently when you stand, plus, it's good to be able to move around as you work during the day.
"I love solving problems through design," continues Peter. "I usually start by zooming out to see the big picture, how a product will affect or be affected by what's around it, and what the chain reactions will be. Then I zero in on how it's going to be used. After that, the design part almost becomes easy."
Swen says another satisfying part of their work is seeing finished products out in the marketplace. "I designed a watch for Nike once, and I'd see people wearing it, so I'd go up to them and just casually ask them about it, without telling them I had anything to do with it. They'd say, 'Yeah, it's a great watch, I love this little gizmo here,' or whatever. I learned all kinds of things doing that," he says.
Swen and Peter say the challenge of their jobs is finding a happy medium between the art of design and the pragmatic demands of today's business world. But even that can be fun, says Peter, "because it forces us to think differently and to use our creativity in a productive and practical way." |
Herman Miller Designs
The Intersect Portfolio
Office/Studio
Astro Studios, San Francisco
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