1/2 Width 2U Visual Brand Language Concept
Applied to a Multimeter and Waveform Generator for a company that makes electrical testing equipment
This is an example of an Electrical Engineer’s workbench. Multiple machines are used during the development of electrical components and are stored on shelves, racks, or just on the desktop.
I was tasked to come up with a new visual and physical brand language - one that provides ease of use and can be applied to all types of electrical measuring equipment.
Areas of Investigation:
What are the major areas of interaction and how can they be emphasized?
How can current and past systems be enhanced and improved upon?
How can precision, seriousness, utility, and reliability be shown in a physical product?
How does the UI become an extension of the physical VBL or vice versa?
The main areas of interaction are the front and back of the device where the ports are. I explored tilting mechanics, modularity, and moveable screens on the physical form of a multimeter to discover ways to make these areas more accessible. Lots of sketches and models led to the final form, and was then applied to a waveform generator to show the versatility of the visual brand language:
After the form was determined, it was time to explore simplifying the user interface of the program itself.
User Benefits and Differentiators for the new Platform:
A plinth reduces visual mass through a floating effect.
The form of the box emphasizes the major areas of interaction (large front radii, metal 3-sided racetrack, and weighting of the physical product all points towards the back).
The clean aesthetic augments the precise functionality that is expected of a high-end electronic measuring device.
Modernizes and evolves the form language from previous generations.
User and User Interface Benefits:
The “waterfall” back and printed white lines improve accessibility to rear connections through improved sight lines.
A simple front and back matches the clean interface - focus is on the data.