Elliott Hsu discusses how new technology launches depend on public understanding, what makes a great brand partnership, and how AI moves beyond science fiction.
“We are a visible part of Microsoft. As part of a multidisciplinary team of designers, researchers and engineers, Elliott Hsu, principal designer at Microsoft Devices, said:
Hsu says he’s uniquely positioned within Microsoft’s broader enterprise, with the team covering products ranging from the Microsoft Surface to the Xbox, and spread “horizontally across our device ecosystem.” I’m explaining.
“We are in a unique position where a lot of the hardware that Microsoft makes comes out of our studio,” Hsu says. “We have the luxury of being designers,” he adds, allowing us to shape the experience of these products. “How they are used and how they are connected to other assets across Microsoft”.
Initially trained in industrial design, Hsu moved from a field where “it was all about physical hardware, usability and ergonomics” to “as the digital and physical worlds become more integrated, industrial design is essential. explains how it has evolved into the “expanding present”. to the user experience.”
His design team includes “people who are scientists and people who are engineers,” as well as people with traditional industrial design and user experience backgrounds. “That melting pot of talent really works for our product because every day people come in with different inputs and perspectives,” he says.
“We call our team the design and research team, but we like to call ourselves product makers. That way we can break down the silos. […] We just make products together. ”
A Matter of Timing: Aligning Technology with Public Understanding
While projects are often “business-driven” and aligned with product launches, “we continue to strive to provide space for designers and teams to think freely.” says Hsu.
Teams can “play around” by following a process of “what happens when you combine that service, this technology, and this hardware to create something unique,” Hsu explains.
Underpinning this culture, he adds, is the concept of “fail fast.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of our culture is that there is room for ideas on the table.
“The first generation of ideas may not [right], but someone will find one that will be a feature built into a particular product or device. ”
According to Hsu, timing is often a critical factor. “At Microsoft, they say there are a lot of smart people who are always thinking about the next thing. Sometimes we need to realize that we might be thinking too far ahead.” , the technology hasn’t come yet,” Hsu said, or “the technology is so far ahead that people don’t understand it.”
In the meantime, these projects are housed in Microsoft’s “Building 87”. This is a windowless, “bunker-like” former storage facility that fits its mysterious Area 51-esque name.
According to Hsu, the creative stimulation of this work environment is not old.
A good partnership: avoid the hype and look for something with a design legacy
Hsu and his team also lead external partnerships, from collaborations with UK retailer Liberty and film Space Jam to a research-driven project to develop the Ocean Plastic Mouse.
“We always want to ensure that our partnerships align our brand values. moment”.
“We want to partner with people who have a design heritage in the industry.”
But “the most important thing,” he adds, “is to put a smile on someone’s face when they use or own the device.” is,” he says.
As for the Microsoft Surface and Liberty collaboration, he suggests it works because it “came out of the left.”
The integration of Liberty’s archive print into the Microsoft Surface is a response to the centrality that PCs brought to people’s living spaces during the pandemic, and continues to do so now that working from home has become the new normal for many. I’m here.
“PCs and devices are becoming more personal,” Hsu says. “[In the pandemic] It was our connection to everything.From Lifelines to Family, to Work Connections, and Actually [what was ] Keep the world moving.”
Hsu’s team wanted to create “these beautiful objects with all the productivity Microsoft can offer” and played with the concept of making it “more personal and expressive”, he says.
Another partnership was Ocean Plastic Mouse. This involved “a lot of work behind the scenes looking at how we work with our suppliers and vendors in a very unique way,” he says.
It’s “not as flashy or glamorous as two brands coming together at a retail store,” he says, but it’s that kind of “tiny little mouse that’s had ripple effects across the industry … how could other companies do this?” When I asked him if he did , how I implemented this, I’m starting to see that this is important for everyone. ”
He adds that Microsoft did not make the information proprietary to the company.
Microsoft’s latest partnership also focuses on sustainability, working with Junk Couture, a youth sustainable fashion contest, to educate the next generation about fashion’s circular system and launch a collaborative learning video discussion app. I am creating a masterclass on Microsoft’s Flip platform.
what’s next?
For Microsoft, AI is also an important area, integrated into products and team work practices.
But instead of fearing AI will replace jobs, Hsu believes AI can be used effectively as a tool. For example, at Microsoft’s own work, “even the design process itself can exponentially accelerate what you’re working on,” he says. “Things that take designers weeks to create can be visualized quickly. These visualizations are not perfect, they are not answers, but they allow us to combine concepts and textures to inspire ideas. ”
“At Microsoft at large, we have invested in AI technology to aggregate information and data collection that could take months to track,” he adds.
He believes it’s becoming more and more important in the consumer space. “Unlike the Metaverse, it’s accessible to everyone,” he says Hsu.
“It will change how we work and how we use technology. Even new UX paradigms are based on AI prompts,” he says. In UX design, a common question is “How do we input the right data points to get what we want?” [from the AI]”.
In contrast to the headlined outputs of ChatGPT and Midjourney, Hsu suggests that designers can integrate AI as “the little things in everyday tasks and entire creations that can help humans connect.” I’m here.
One example is its use with the Surface Pro 9 5G. It uses AI to correct gaze direction in video calls, making it appear that you are looking at the camera (and the person on the far end), while showing you where your gaze is actually focused. It may appear more naturally on the screen.
“The ethics surrounding AI could quickly become a sci-fi or Hollywood dystopia, but it is an amazing area to explore. We see AI as the input and output of the next generation.” says Hsu.
“Now is the time to shape it in a way that is easy for people to digest and understand.”
