April 30, 2009
It is an on-going desire for us to constantly expand our capabilities so that we can best suit our client’s needs. Our latest addition to the fold is a new Programmable Environmental Chamber. Our new chamber is capable of the following:
- Wide Temperature Range: -70° C to +200° C
- Quick transitions: -70° C to +200° C in 1 hour
- Humidity Testing: 30% - 90% Relative Humidity
- Programmability
Environmental testing is another one of those often over-looked steps in the product development process that can save a significant amount of headache down the road.
For more information about the new addition to our family, contact Jon at conversations@oneoakdesign
March 5, 2009
Part of the OneOak product development methodology is the integration of all technical disciplines involved in product development to work side-by-side at the onset of every program. This is something that many people nod their heads at and “agree” with. The one thing we have found is that a typical corporate product development cycle involves a very short (maybe an hour or two) meeting with the key team members. Once this meeting is over, everyone scatters. Industrial Design goes to their desk on the 2nd floor, mechanical engineering goes to their desk on the other side of the building, electrical engineering goes back into the lab.
The issue with this separation of disciplines (we call it “discipline silos”) is that the most critical part of the development cycle is at the very beginning. Planning and evaluating what is needed to be done with the program is essential. Each discipline needs to deeply understand what the needs of the other group are. No one group has any aspect of their cycle that does not affect another.
Some examples using a cell phone as an example:
- Software requires a more RAM affects Hardware (HW) layout
- HW layout needs more space for RAM moving the camera by 5 mm
- Camera movement by 5 mm affects mechanical enclosure CAD model
- Camera movement by 5 mm throws off ergonomic placement of camera lens so it doesn’t get covered by fingers.
It’s very similar to throwing a rock into a still pond. The change ripples out and eventually affects every part of the lake.
What we suggest to our clients is a Product Specification. This product can, and is, used for several purposes. Marketing can use it to create an accurate business model for sales, all technical disciplines use it as the guidance for their development. All the needs of the product (features, physical size, etc.) are spelled out and signed off on.
If everyone is involved in the process, everyone gets an intimate understanding of how their needs affect every discipline. We’ve used this process to reduce product volume by 35% and timeline by 25% over previous generations, using the same team members. The difference was HOW and WHERE we worked. We worked (literally) side-by-side, elbow-to-elbow as opposed to in our separate silos. Not just a couple hours. A couple weeks doing this.
Many balk at the idea of paying an upfront “planning” cost when at the end of the day, that cost is saved many times over.
February 27, 2009
If you have frequented our website over the past several months, you will see many changes have taken place:
- A full revamp of our corporate look including an update of our logo.
- Addition of a Newsletter (for which you can sign up for on our main page). If you’re one of the first 200 to sign-up for our newsletter you will be entered for a draw to win a $75 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice.
- We’ve expanded our portfolio and will be adding more in the near future.
- We’ve implemented a low cost Product Specification to our services (A post explaining that in more detail is to come).
- OneOak is now a British Columbia Industrial Design (BCID) accredited company. Jon recently passed the portfolio review and is now an active member of the BCID Board as a Member at Large.
Things that are coming that we yet to show:
- Case Studies (these will all be posted to this blog)
- More services that we believe will allow us to provide even better service to our clients
- Some more great products to be added to our portfolio that we’ve been working on over the past couple of years.
We’ve been busy working to show to the world that OneOak Design is making the transition from Newcomer to the Design Scene, to a world class design firm that is here to stay.
Please, do not hesitate to leaver your questions and comments here or forward them to conversations@oneoakdesign.com
November 13, 2007
DELTA, BC – November 13, 2007 – OneOak Design Inc., a multi-disciplinary design consultancy, has teamed up with Energy Aware Technology Inc., a producer of sustainability technology, to develop the PowerTab™ Monitor now on display in the future Vancouver 2010 Athletes’ Village. The PowerTab will potentially save thousands of dollars each year for homeowners and reduce CO2 emissions by allowing homeowners to control their power consumption.
A key benefit of the PowerTab Monitor is its ease of use. The user simply carries the PowerTab’s wireless display around the house while turning on or off a power-consuming device, such as a light switch or television. By the simple flick of a switch, users can instantly see on the display how much power that particular device consumed. The homeowners can then adjust their habits accordingly and make significant reductions in their power consumption.
“The PowerTab is designed to empower and educate the homeowner,” said Jon Winebrenner, Partner, OneOak Design. “We worked closely with the Energy Aware Team to design an easy-to-use product that allows the user to control their power usage. It has a direct impact on the pocketbook for homeowners, and it makes concerted effort at controlling harmful CO2 emissions. This is really how products today should be designed—achieving both usability and environmental-consciousness.”
Energy Aware wanted to create a user-friendly design that would be a natural extension of people’s daily lives. “OneOak Design helped us achieve the friendly look of the product, which we believe is key to getting the whole family involved in living sustainably,” said Janice Cheam, President, Energy Aware.
The PowerTab is currently in the final stages of development and is being considered for use in several local developments. A model can now be seen at the Millennium Water Presentation Centre in Vancouver.
About Energy Aware Technologies, Inc.
Energy Aware Technology Inc. is a Vancouver-based company founded in 2005 by graduates from the University of British Columbia. Energy Aware is a producer of demand side management products that raise energy awareness and reduce energy waste. For more information about Energy Aware, visit www.energy-aware.com.
About OneOak Design, Inc.
OneOak Design, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary design consultancy based in Delta, BC. Specializing in electronic product development, OneOak Design provides hardware development services in Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. For more information about OneOak Design, visit www.oneoakdesign.com.
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PRESS CONTACT
Jon Winebrenner
media@oneoakdesign.com
604-529-1625
