ZEBRA
An advanced desktop printer design with new disruptive technology for the category to replace legacy products and create new barriers to the competitive landscape.
What We Did
The Zebra desktop printer was an update to a legacy product in the category that Zebra had been selling for a decade. The team created a new platform solution that improved usability by simplifying loading and setup while integrating access to cloud-based applications, which added value to the category. Research and user testing were leveraged to gain target customers’ feedback and hone in on the right solution for the category. The new series of Zebra desktop printers provided the market with a new advanced solution that would allow Zebra to maintain its leadership position and provide a platform of offerings for both industrial and medical settings.
Psycho-Aesthetics™
Product design is more than just winning awards; it’s about creating emotional connections between the product and the user. Our human-centered approach, Psycho-Aesthetics, helps us understand and quantify these connections. Our design firm uses it to create innovative products, technologies, services, brands, and more. We aim to create solutions that are relevant and impactful, using our approach to grow our clients’ businesses. With Psycho-Aesthetics as our foundation, we work with clients to establish a common language that can be used throughout our relationship.
Our collaboration with Zebra on the ZD400 Series Desktop Printers began with extensive research aimed at understanding market needs and technological trends. We conducted comprehensive user surveys, analyzed market dynamics, and studied competitors to identify opportunities for innovation in desktop printing. Our goal was to create a product that not only meets the current demands of businesses but also anticipates future requirements.
The strategic approach to designing the ZD400 Series involved aligning our design goals with Zebra’s vision for the future of desktop printing. We aimed to create a product that seamlessly blends reliability, functionality, and security. Our strategy focused on delivering a printer that offers quality performance, key features to propel businesses forward, and unmatched security to prevent downtime and cyberattacks. The integration of Zebra’s exclusive Print DNA software suite was a strategic move to enhance the product’s setup, operation, management, and maintenance, both onsite and remotely.
Our design team played a pivotal role in shaping the physical form and user interface of the ZD400 Series. We prioritized user experience, evident in the frustration-free setup and operation highlighted in the product description. The design features, such as LED icons for status indication, ribbon cartridge models for easy loading, and healthcare-specific variants, showcase a thoughtful and user-centric approach. The aesthetic appeal, as depicted in the provided images, reflects our commitment to creating a visually appealing and modern product that aligns with Zebra’s brand identity.
The execution phase involved translating our research, strategy, and design into a tangible product. We meticulously prototyped, tested, and refined the printers to meet Zebra’s stringent quality standards. Collaborating effectively with Zebra’s engineering and manufacturing teams, we ensured seamless integration of hardware and software components. The successful execution is evident in the ZD400 Series’ key features, such as near field communication (NFC) capabilities, field-upgradeable connectivity, and overall reliability. The inclusion of customer success stories and related products in the promotional material emphasizes the real-world applications and positive impact our design has on businesses.
RKS Project Spotlight
ZEBRA
An advanced desktop printer design with new disruptive technology for the category to replace legacy products and create new barriers to the competitive landscape.
What We Did
The Zebra desktop printer was an update to a legacy product in the category that Zebra had been selling for a decade. The team created a new platform solution that improved usability by simplifying loading and setup while integrating access to cloud-based applications, which added value to the category. Research and user testing were leveraged to gain target customers’ feedback and hone in on the right solution for the category. The new series of Zebra desktop printers provided the market with a new advanced solution that would allow Zebra to maintain its leadership position and provide a platform of offerings for both industrial and medical settings.
Psycho-Aesthetics
Product design is more than just winning awards; it’s about creating emotional connections between the product and the user. Our human-centered approach, Psycho-Aesthetics, helps us understand and quantify these connections. Our design firm uses it to create innovative products, technologies, services, brands, and more. We aim to create solutions that are relevant and impactful, using our approach to grow our clients’ businesses. With Psycho-Aesthetics as our foundation, we work with clients to establish a common language that can be used throughout our relationship.
Our collaboration with Zebra on the ZD400 Series Desktop Printers began with extensive research aimed at understanding market needs and technological trends. We conducted comprehensive user surveys, analyzed market dynamics, and studied competitors to identify opportunities for innovation in desktop printing. Our goal was to create a product that not only meets the current demands of businesses but also anticipates future requirements.
The strategic approach to designing the ZD400 Series involved aligning our design goals with Zebra’s vision for the future of desktop printing. We aimed to create a product that seamlessly blends reliability, functionality, and security. Our strategy focused on delivering a printer that offers quality performance, key features to propel businesses forward, and unmatched security to prevent downtime and cyberattacks. The integration of Zebra’s exclusive Print DNA software suite was a strategic move to enhance the product’s setup, operation, management, and maintenance, both onsite and remotely.
Our design team played a pivotal role in shaping the physical form and user interface of the ZD400 Series. We prioritized user experience, evident in the frustration-free setup and operation highlighted in the product description. The design features, such as LED icons for status indication, ribbon cartridge models for easy loading, and healthcare-specific variants, showcase a thoughtful and user-centric approach. The aesthetic appeal, as depicted in the provided images, reflects our commitment to creating a visually appealing and modern product that aligns with Zebra’s brand identity.
The execution phase involved translating our research, strategy, and design into a tangible product. We meticulously prototyped, tested, and refined the printers to meet Zebra’s stringent quality standards. Collaborating effectively with Zebra’s engineering and manufacturing teams, we ensured seamless integration of hardware and software components. The successful execution is evident in the ZD400 Series’ key features, such as near field communication (NFC) capabilities, field-upgradeable connectivity, and overall reliability. The inclusion of customer success stories and related products in the promotional material emphasizes the real-world applications and positive impact our design has on businesses.
RKS Project Spotlight
Perimetrics
DISCUS DENTAL
