Carbon Design Group has received two Spark:Concept Awards, a gold for Toggle and a silver for Domino Clock.
Carbon's two wins came out of the Seattle-based product development consultancy's Passion Project program, which gives team members room to explore without the constraints of traditional client work. "We have a wonderfully talented team," commented Carbon Design Group president Dan Blase. "Projects like this help foster the creativity that is a vital part of our culture."
Toggle Multimode Touch Remote was recognized with Spark:Concept Gold. Designed for the evolving connected TV viewing experience, Toggle uses an innovative application of inexpensive technology to create a rich, touch experience without a display screen. Its core is a simple touchpad, much like you might find on a laptop. This capacitive surface is printed with images, characters, and icons. The four different modes are revealed by the use of a grid-patterned mask. When the base and mask are aligned, Toggle is off. While holding the device horizontally, shift up to reveal a qwerty keyboard. Shift down for a touchpad or right for casual gaming. Shift left and hold like a traditional remote for surfing. Type, Surf, Move, or Play, with Toggle, the mode you need is just a quick shift away.
Carbon's Domino Clock was awarded Silver in the competition. A borrowed form with uncommon function, the Domino Clock creates a time-keeping system that is unexpected yet familiar all at once. The concept is simple: three larger-than-life dominoes, each equipped with a set of articulating dots which flip from black to white as they keep time with silent precision. The first domino marks hours, the other two show minutes. A custom electro-magnetic coil provides a low-power solution while lending a sense of gravity to the transitions.