Oliver: For Focussed Writing
Redefining Oliver typewriter into a distraction-free AI writing product
My Role
UX Researcher, UI/UX & Branding Designer
Team
Individual Project
of 6-weeks
Category
Product Design
Oliver: For Focussed Writing
Redefining Oliver typewriter into a distraction-free AI writing product
My Role
UX Researcher, UI/UX Design, Branding
Team
Individual Project of 6-weeks
Category
Product Design
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Story behind Oliver's Legacy
Story behind Oliver's Legacy
The Revolutionary Type: In 1909, Oliver introduced the first standard visible typewriter, allowing users to see characters as they typed. Producing over 1 million machines from 1895 to 1928 and licensing designs internationally, the company faced competition and financial woes, leading to its liquidation in 1928.
The Revolutionary Type: In 1909, Oliver introduced the first standard visible typewriter, allowing users to see characters as they typed. Producing over 1 million machines from 1895 to 1928 and licensing designs internationally, the company faced competition and financial woes, leading to its liquidation in 1928.
Addressing Challenges with Innovative Design
Addressing Challenges with Innovative Design
Past challenges included lack of technology, feedback delays, limited functionality, printing and sharing constraints, poor portability and low awareness.
To address these issues, we developed a versatile, AI-enabled digital display integrated into a tactile OEM keyboard. This solution offers the ergonomics and tactility of traditional typing, alongside distraction-free productivity tools like a Pomodoro timer and digital/typewriter modes. It enhances work quality and quantity with its portable, connectivity and customizable features.
Past challenges included lack of technology, feedback delays, limited functionality, printing and sharing constraints, poor portability and low awareness.
To address these issues, we developed a versatile, AI-enabled digital display integrated into a tactile OEM keyboard. This solution offers the ergonomics and tactility of traditional typing, alongside distraction-free productivity tools like a Pomodoro timer and digital/typewriter modes. It enhances work quality and quantity with its portable, connectivity and customizable features.
Case studies are best viewed in Desktop
Introducing Solution
The solution was crafted to elevate the writing experience, enhancing both the tactile feel and the quality of the content. The primary goal is to support writers in achieving a clutter-free workspace through our product's user interface.
The solution was crafted to elevate the writing experience, enhancing both the tactile feel and the quality of the content. The primary goal is to support writers in achieving a clutter-free workspace through our product's user interface.
We intentionally maintained a calm, aesthetic, and minimal UI. It's a fusion of classic elements, employing typography, and contemporary features like smooth micro animations and AI.
We intentionally maintained a calm, aesthetic, and minimal UI. It's a fusion of classic elements, employing typography, and contemporary features like smooth micro animations and AI.
The New Oliver
The New Oliver
The Writer's Companion
The Writer's Companion
A versatile dynamic digital display integrated into a tactile OEM keyboard.
AI-enabled, focus-centric product with distraction-free and productivity tools like Pomodoro timer.
Accessible and adaptable with customized modes available easily on the keyboard like AI Assist, Digital, and Typewriter mode.
Enhance the quality and quantity of work with this portable multi-point Bluetooth product.
A versatile dynamic digital display integrated into a tactile OEM keyboard.
AI-enabled, focus-centric product with distraction-free and productivity tools like Pomodoro timer.
Accessible and adaptable with customized modes available easily on the keyboard like AI Assist, Digital, and Typewriter mode.
Enhance the quality and quantity of work with this portable multi-point Bluetooth product.
Power of Forward Momentum
Power of Forward Momentum
The Messy First Draft
The Messy First Draft
In Typewriter mode, internet and notifications are disabled, and a simple page layout where you just type with no Undo option.
Separating the drafting and editing process. Just putting your thoughts down first calms the anxious inner critic - and yields productivity and creativity
In Typewriter mode, internet and notifications are disabled, and a simple page layout where you just type with no Undo option.
Separating the drafting and editing process. Just putting your thoughts down first calms the anxious inner critic - and yields productivity and creativity
Harnessing Productivity
Harnessing Productivity
A Writer’s “Flow State”
A Writer’s “Flow State”
Eliminating digital disruptions by switching to Typewriter mode. Starting the Pomodoro timer of 15 minutes of focussed work and 5 minute break pushes you to focus with ensured breaks - optimized writing flow
Eliminating digital disruptions by switching to Typewriter mode. Starting the Pomodoro timer of 15 minutes of focussed work and 5 minute break pushes you to focus with ensured breaks - optimized writing flow
Amplifying Authenticity
Amplifying Authenticity
Achieve literary goals faster
Achieve literary goals faster
Here, AI would not override but empower your writing. It can review, revise, and suggest only when you want to refine your unique voice. When you hit a creative block, our Muse AI Chat will conversationally collaborate with you to produce new material.
Here, AI would not override but empower your writing. It can review, revise, and suggest only when you want to refine your unique voice. When you hit a creative block, our Muse AI Chat will conversationally collaborate with you to produce new material.
Tailored Experience of Every Click
Tailored Experience of Every Click
Customization & Tactility
Customization & Tactility
Retained the experience of a typewriter through OEM Keycaps - that gives haptic feedback to enhance accuracy, speed, focus and reduce fatigue
Retained the experience of a typewriter through OEM Keycaps - that gives haptic feedback to enhance accuracy, speed, focus and reduce fatigue
Portable and accessible device. Can screen-read or dictate to write. Set different moods for your workspace. Share in multiple formats across various devices. Buttons like audio, AI are available easily on the keyboard
Portable and accessible device. Can screen-read or dictate to write. Set different moods for your workspace. Share in multiple formats across various devices. Buttons like audio, AI are available easily on the keyboard
Calmness of Simplicity
Calmness of Simplicity
Minimal Visual UI
Minimal Visual UI
Aligning with a decluttered workspace, the UI also resonates simple, classic and peaceful visuals that helps you do what you love, just a bit better
Aligning with a decluttered workspace, the UI also resonates simple, classic and peaceful visuals that helps you do what you love, just a bit better
Diving into The Minimalist Visual Design
Diving into The Minimalist Visual Design
We crafted 3 primary flows - the landing page that welcomes the user when they switch on the device, the Text Editor for typing, and the AI assistive tool. We designed with these principles in mind to highlight our product vision:
We crafted 3 primary flows - the landing page that welcomes the user when they switch on the device, the Text Editor for typing, and the AI assistive tool. We designed with these principles in mind to highlight our product vision:
Ease and flexibility of use
Ease and flexibility of use
Ease and flexibility of use
Least distractions
Least distractions
Least distractions
Accessibility & Minimalism
Accessibility & Minimalism
Accessibility & Minimalism
Reduced mental engagement
Reduced mental engagement
Reduced mental engagement
Uncomplicated Journey
Uncomplicated Journey
Uncomplicated Journey
A Simplified Collection of Your Work
A Simplified Collection of Your Work
Uncluttered work selection, and intuitive global menus for easy access to features like templates, and diverse documents.This simple design enhances user focus, and minimizes the learning curve.
The 'Write' option lets users start writing instantly. Clicking 'Write' triggers a calming animation, reflecting an ideal tranquil workspace, captivating users and conveying Oliver's concept.
Uncluttered work selection, and intuitive global menus for easy access to features like templates, and diverse documents.This simple design enhances user focus, and minimizes the learning curve.
The 'Write' option lets users start writing instantly. Clicking 'Write' triggers a calming animation, reflecting an ideal tranquil workspace, captivating users and conveying Oliver's concept.
The Focused Creative Canvas
The Focused Creative Canvas
Designed in a way so users' focus narrows down to solely the text input, avoiding all distractions. With Typewriter Mode, there is no Undo and no Notifications, this is a platform for forward drafting. Buttons above the keyboard ensure optimal hand mobility, providing access to files, text formatting, and AI-driven writing advice.
Designed in a way so users' focus narrows down to solely the text input, avoiding all distractions. With Typewriter Mode, there is no Undo and no Notifications, this is a platform for forward drafting. Buttons above the keyboard ensure optimal hand mobility, providing access to files, text formatting, and AI-driven writing advice.
The Conversational AI Support - 'Muse'
The Conversational AI Support - 'Muse'
Enabling AI assist on the keyboard activates 'Muse AI' at the side. Users can request composition improvements and suggestions in chat, where Muse subtly encourages changes. The platform offers templates or prompts to overcome creative blocks, generating chat-like responses beside the document editor. Users can choose any sections that needs change, with AI serving as a supplementary, not dominant, voice.
Enabling AI assist on the keyboard activates 'Muse AI' at the side. Users can request composition improvements and suggestions in chat, where Muse subtly encourages changes. The platform offers templates or prompts to overcome creative blocks, generating chat-like responses beside the document editor. Users can choose any sections that needs change, with AI serving as a supplementary, not dominant, voice.
The Writer Persona : Who are we designing for?
The Writer Persona : Who are we designing for?
This is Alex: An author who likes decluttered and comfortable workspace. He faces the challenge of digital fatigue and the loss of momentum with it. He wants to be invested in deep work.
Goal: A productivity focussed writing tool that is accessible from anywhere & inspires him creatively
Writing with freedom, specifically freedom from the internet and the digital realm. Off-grid and off-line.
Writing with freedom, specifically freedom from the internet and the digital realm. Off-grid and off-line.
Into the Process
Into the Process
Decoding & Preserving the Personality
Decoding & Preserving the Personality
The brand prism methodology outlined the brand's perception: preserving classic exclusivity, evoking typewriting nostalgia, and embracing a retro aesthetic. This strategy aims to maintain a timeless image and distinctive identity by tapping into sentimental value.
The brand prism methodology outlined the brand's perception: preserving classic exclusivity, evoking typewriting nostalgia, and embracing a retro aesthetic. This strategy aims to maintain a timeless image and distinctive identity by tapping into sentimental value.
Retaining
the Values
Retaining the Values
Typewriter Experience
Typewriter Experience
Typewriter feel, exclusivity, tactility, and nostalgia
Vintage Classic Effect
Vintage Classic Effect
Classic typefaces & the signature olive shades
Minimal
Retro-Aesthetic
Minimal Retro-Aesthetic
Aesthetic & modern, Usable and adaptable
Analyzing Competitors
Analyzing Competitors
Analyzed three companies in the ergonomic vintage keyboards and writing tools market, emphasizing their shared focus on visual appeal, tactile experience, functionality, and retro aesthetics.
Analyzed three companies in the ergonomic vintage keyboards and writing tools market, emphasizing their shared focus on visual appeal, tactile experience, functionality, and retro aesthetics.
Freewrite
Freewrite
Productive writing with modern typewriters designed for focused creativity.
Productive writing with modern typewriters designed for focused creativity.
Qwerkywriter
Qwerkywriter
Unique aesthetic products showing modern technology with nostalgic charm
Unique aesthetic products showing modern technology with nostalgic charm
Logitech Keyboards
Logitech Keyboards
Redefines typing experiences with innovative keyboards designed for efficiency & style
Redefines typing experiences with innovative keyboards designed for efficiency & style
Unique Opportunities
Focus on the experience of writing, less on the form
Focus on the experience of writing, less on the form
Improving the quality and productivity of output
Improving the quality and productivity of output
Merge the analog and digital experience
Merge the analog and digital experience
Appeal to the classic minimal brand personality
Appeal to the classic minimal brand personality
Crafting the New Brand Color
Crafting the New Brand Color
Retaining Oliver's timeless association with the color olive, changing it into a lighter green for a more contemporary appeal. This palette aligns with Oliver's classic roots and creates a minimalist vibe suited to the current audience. The colors evokes tranquility and security, fit for writer's workspace.
Retaining Oliver's timeless association with the color olive, changing it into a lighter green for a more contemporary appeal. This palette aligns with Oliver's classic roots and creates a minimalist vibe suited to the current audience. The colors evokes tranquility and security, fit for writer's workspace.
Mapping the Stakeholder Value Exchange
Mapping the Stakeholder Value Exchange
We made a stakeholder map to figure out value streams, areas of influence, communication channels, ways to navigate challenges, and how to reduce risks.
We made a stakeholder map to figure out value streams, areas of influence, communication channels, ways to navigate challenges, and how to reduce risks.
What Stands Out?
What Stands Out?
Technology trends and social media trends hold a heavy influence on the goals and likings of the customers
Technology trends and social media trends hold a heavy influence on the goals and likings of the customers
Possibility of collaboration across communities, customers, and social media influencers
Possibility of collaboration across communities, customers, and social media influencers
Potential challenges from similar looking and positioning of competitors’ products like Freewrite.
Potential challenges from similar looking and positioning of competitors’ products like Freewrite.
Adaptability to diverse sets of products and cultures like making it accessible and inclusive
Adaptability to diverse sets of products and cultures like making it accessible and inclusive
Walking through Iterations
Walking through Iterations
In the final 3 of 6 weeks, I used Spline and Figma to explore iterations for the physical product. Challenges included determining breakpoint size, text and icon legibility, and button placements.
In the final 3 of 6 weeks, I used Spline and Figma to explore iterations for the physical product. Challenges included determining breakpoint size, text and icon legibility, and button placements.
Form Factor Explorations
Form Factor Explorations
Visual Explorations
Visual Explorations
Exploring Type & Logos
Exploring Type & Logos
Aa
Markazi Text
Aa
Satoshi
Designed monogram logos inspired by the focus essence of Bauhaus art. Explored variations emphasizing keyboard or typewriter keycap styles.
Designed monogram logos inspired by the focus essence of Bauhaus art. Explored variations emphasizing keyboard or typewriter keycap styles.
The Impact
The Impact
Quantifying Impact with Waveline
Quantifying Impact with Waveline
The writer's journey is often plagued by creative blocks, demotivation, and a lack of morale, which ultimately affects productivity—especially in this age of extremely short attention spans and digital distractions. Waveline helps us map the user's conscious and unconscious decisions before, during, and after the task.
The writer's journey often faces creative blocks, demotivation, and low morale, affecting productivity.
Tool : Waveline helps us map the writer's conscious and unconscious decisions before, during, and after the task and contrast its improvement with our introduction.
However, with Oliver, the creative's writing flow can be cracked faster since the calm decluttered work silo is being provided alongside a conversational AI tool to help them sustain their creative juices whenever needed.
However, with Oliver, the creative's writing flow can be cracked faster with the decluttered UI and the conversational AI tool, thus impacting in:
Quicker setting up of personalized writing space
Easier Transition to the Creative Writing Flow
Lesser chances of discontinuation and creative block
Motivated to complete a piece and reflect
Productivity and Efficiency improved significantly
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Driving Minimalism in Design
I embraced 'Less is More,' balancing modern simplicity and ease of use. I prioritized features, decluttered interfaces, and maintained aesthetics through design element choices
Designing for Physical Products
Though envisioning a new form factor is challenging, I considered factors like hand movement, and interaction zones to create a hyper-realistic model using Spline and Photoshop
Constructing Brand Character
This project taught me how to deconstruct and redefine a brand based on its tone, vision, personality, current audience, and the role each design element has
Always ready to talk - let's connect!
Email me at ruchirabiswas97@gmail.com
Drop a text +1 628-358-1287
Always ready to talk -
let's connect!
Email me at ruchirabiswas97@gmail.com
Drop a text +1 628-358-1287
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