From Deseret News archives:
BYU students pitch design ideas to 2 firms
On its face, it sounds like something only Inspector Gadget could pull off.
But it could be a reality if representatives from Dell computers liked what they heard in a presentation Monday afternoon at Brigham Young University.
A class of industrial design students separated into groups midsemester to construct various new gizmos for Dell's portable computer sector and a new line of mesh chairs for the Orem-based chair manufacturer Mity-Lite.
Nico Li, a self-described techie who would like to see on-the-go police officers print tickets from their hips, said the group "interviewed officers, sketched designs and even tried the prototype out on officers."
Li's group aimed at "really connecting" officers on foot or bike by replacing their current over-the-shoulder radio with a smarter one one that is designed to show GPS navigation, capture video and allow officers to scan a suspect's fingerprints to a police database via the Internet.
In another pitch to Dell, one design team targeted college students who loathe textbook costs and hassles "An easy-to-find demographic," the group said.
As a result, the group created a small, tablet-style laptop that opens and reads like a book complete with electronic stylus and highlighting options.
Many of the electronic doodads were a mite larger than traditional handhelds, suggesting that although most users want something small and convenient they don't always want to sacrifice a larger screen and a more practical way to type, said designer student Nan Poochaneeyangkoon.
Business vice president of local Mity-Lite's research and development, David Laws, attended to hear how students had solved his company's challenge: to use the factory's existing chair frame and modify it by replacing the hard plastic seat and back with a lightweight heavy duty mesh material.
Mity-Lite has been challenging BYU students for half of its 20-year business history in similar designer contests, Laws said. There are "quite a few (designer) things" students have inspired at Mity-Lite.
Three designer groups constructed prototype chairs, some modern looking and some resembled an industrial style with exposed nuts and washers.
Laws didn't seem to be interested in aesthetics; however, he let his backside do the judging.
"I could sit on this through a whole presentation," he told a watching crowd, leaning back and smiling. "It's got very good lumbar."
The chairs may someday replace the harder, heavier versions currently stacked in facilities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other churches, said professors.
For 3-D computer images and detailed sketches of designs readers can visit BYU's Web site at byunews.byu.edu/archive07-Dec-inddesign.aspx.
E-mail: jhancock@desnews.com
Recent comments
I gotta get my hands on a couple of those things.
I want one | Dec. 27, 2007 at 4:14 p.m.
NICE
Anonymous | Dec. 19, 2007 at 3:38 p.m.
Good stuff. I wish it was all out in time for Christmas.
steve | Dec. 18, 2007 at 7:24 p.m.
- Sports on the air 1:21 a.m.
- 2009 MLS Cup recap 12:45 a.m.
- MLS Cup winners, MVPs 12:41 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 12:36 a.m.
- Paper circulation worse than it looks 12:28 a.m.
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks 12:22 a.m.
- Editorial: Cancer screening 12:15 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:15 a.m.
- Treat teachers with respect, trust 12:15 a.m.
- 'Reform' helps old, hurts young 12:15 a.m.
- BYU records with win
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
130 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
That game was amazing! I think this will really help the sport grow in Utah....
Congrats on a great win. Utah as a whole should be proud not just of a major...
Congrats Real Salt Lake! but, they aren't the first major sports team to...
I told ALL of you how much i liked NED Pure irony his contributions vs x...
this is to NevadaUTE @ 10:25!!! I love soccer, I love Real and it brought a...
wow!!! amazing. UTAH JAZZ DO SOMETHING!!!
So much fear and anger from Beck lovers. You all lost the last election, we...
This is the most emotion I have had watching a sporting event since my...
Nicky Rimando is my hero! I love that guy. He has had his detractors, but...
Two stars means nothing! We played as a team and it showed! I'm still in...


