CES2018 Mobility Ideas, Concepts & Future Solutions

CES2018 Mobility Ideas, Concepts & Future Solutions

by | Jan 25, 2018 | Events

image source: google images

Back to the future…

“The Jetsons” was a hit cartoon when I was growing up (produced by Hanna-Barbera,aired in primetime from September 23, 1962, to March 17, 1963). For a half hour every week, the show engulfed my imagination in a future world where people were enabled by robots, automation and streamlined, on demand mobility options. Rosie the maid was a robot and everything seemed so much easier for humans. The family seemed so happy, except when they were complaining about the hard work and minor inconveniences of life. Many things have changed over the years, now decades, and some things will remain the same.

This lifestyle, as it relates to mobility and the way we interact with products, is a reality in the developed countries of this world. CES showcased IoT, smart city, smart home and automotive technologies to improve our lives. That’s the idea anyway.

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We Have a Food Problem in America

We Have a Food Problem in America

by | Oct 19, 2017 | Company Insights

Two different viewpoints…

Recently, I’ve attempted to wean myself from daily media sources and the talking heads. It’s a hard habit to kick. My primary sources of news lean towards liberal publications and daily news programs. It does not matter which side of the political divide you’re on, the world is in rough shape and nothing is getting done in the capitals of the world. It’s a pretty depressing picture.

There was an article (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/dining/kimbal-musk-food.html) published in the NY Times last Monday that prompted a welcome diversion in my thinking and a refreshed viewpoint on a few key issues.

Kimbal Musk is a tech entrepreneur who made his early fortune working with his brother Elon. He has the resources to do great things and his ideas about the food ecosystem in this country are worth reflection. His heart is in the right place and I was beginning to embrace his thinking until mid-way through the article. The goal of scale for the food business runs contrary to the immediate need in many communities for healthy sources of food and clean water. The need is now and urgent. Scaling industries takes time, capital and environmental resources. “The problem is that the people who made their money in tech understand disruption and scaling and all of these terms, but they don’t know how to get their hands dirty and engage the neighbors and the farmers and the cooks who make a food community”, said Michel Nischan, the founder and chief executive officer of Wholesome Wave.

Real change happens at the community level and we all have the power to affect positive change.

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Fredricks Design, Inc. Welcomes Rogerio Miguel Back to Our Team!

Fredricks Design, Inc. Welcomes Rogerio Miguel Back to Our Team!

by | Jul 5, 2017 | Company News

Rogerio Miguel

We are excited to announce the addition of Rogerio Miguel, Design Engineer + MBA to our team effective June 30, 2017.

Rogerio worked with us from 2000-2002 before returning to Brazil. He brings deep and diverse automotive experience and advanced degrees in business, computer sciences, IT and design. He is also is a PLM solutions consultant with deep experience working with international Fortune 500 companies in North America, Brazil and Europe . The addition of Rogerio to our core team will expand our services working with key clients in product development and PLM. He will be based in our Grand Haven, Michigan studio.

This is an especially exciting announcement since we’ve built our friendship and working relationship over the past fifteen years. Please join us with an enthusiastic welcome for Rogerio, Deise and their children!

Maury Fredricks

CEO

Fredricks Design, Inc.

Fredricks Design, Inc. is a full-service design and engineering firm based in Grand Haven, Michigan. The firm specializes in working as an extension of the client studio and engineering team to identify the right problems and accelerate development of solutions from early ideation, feasibility, concept development and production of mock-ups, prototypes and show properties. Fredricks works with key Clients in the automotive interiors and seating industries, advanced rides and show action projects for themed attractions, furniture, and consumer products markets.

fredricks.com

How to Construct an Effective Design Brief

How to Construct an Effective Design Brief

by | Dec 1, 2015 | Case Studies

effective design brief

“We benchmark in/out of market, gather voice of the consumer (VOC) and intelligence to form a project brief that outlines goals and problem statements. Our clients sometimes provide the project brief”.

This quote, from the Discover Phase of our product development process, highlights the importance of a thorough and detailed design brief in early phase product development.

Our work over three decades with some of the world’s best companies has been challenging, rewarding and, admittedly sometimes a bit frustrating. Looking back at our diverse work, we have learned to ask the right questions during the development of a well-constructed design brief. We offer this brief essay to share our key lessons and help improve our work with clients and suppliers. (more…)

What is Freespace in the Product Development Process?

What is Freespace in the Product Development Process?

by | Sep 30, 2015 | Company Insights

Freespace - first phase in product development process

What is Freespace?

It’s the first phase in our product development process and it’s where unmet needs are identified and product ideas begin to surface for future exploration and development. Freespace is a word we came up with to describe the wide open, exploration of unmet needs and end user problems.

This is how we briefly describe Freespace on our website:

“Using primary/secondary research and a preliminary business case, we analyze the market needs and potential with our client to identify the challenges and opportunities ahead”.

Let’s unpack this description and dive a little deeper into how we work in early phase exploration of unmet needs? (more…)