Design+Environment

- the design environment (where, when, social /technological space) Glogster Summary media type="custom" key="10256569"

Early stage: > //I'm not certain how specific this is to the iPAD project but this article outlines meetings typical to Apple projects// You Can't Innovate Like Apple
 * When:**
 * General introduction to the project
 * whole group meeting in the campus auditorium (image below/not specific to iPad project)
 * conducted by Steve Jobs; this will be the only time many team members see him until the last stages/press release
 * very hush-hush (it's a direct order and they will prosecute those who "leak" info Executive Pleads Guilty)
 * Focus group leaders are identified, but people in small groups don't necessarily know who is who or even really who makes up the team-from designer who was part of the iPad team
 * Work changes/flexibility in designing [|Job says idea came before iPhone]
 * You work on a small piece and don't know until later how it fits into the whole

You give your best work until the work is done Design & Innovation at Apple > "Foster’s curved, crystalline, arboreal paradise could actually facilitate an unhealthy and unsustainable stay-at-work-and-don’t-go-home ethos by providing Apple employees with everything they need to “sustain” their workdays longer. Perhaps the only thing missing from the design is on-site housing or sleeping pods under every desk." The Promise of Spaceship Apple > "Steve is not only a champion of design, but creates an environment for designers that's conducive to producing terrific work" (Excellent video on Design focused on Steve Jobs Video)
 * no time clock or regular hours
 * come in around 9 a.m. and in the crunch will work 'till 10 p.m. (an interesting critique about the new building relates to this work culture)
 * Where:**

The design space is protected >> > The Set Designer looks at every day as a chance to liven up their workspace. They promote energetic, inspired cultures by creating work environments that celebrate the individual and stimulate creativity. To keep up with shifting needs and foster continuous innovation, the Set Designer makes adjustments to a physical space to balance private and collaborative work opportunities. In doing so, this person makes space itself one of an organization's most versatile and powerful tools. //I bought the book and while it doesn't cite Apple as an example in this chapter, it's quite interesting. For those of you who are looking to design your own innovation lab, I highly recommend it. There is a great Apple story in "The Hurdler" chapter.// >
 * only "badges" admitted
 * no photography (Apple is very serious about this; Engadget blog: The Apple Tablet : a complete history, supposedly)
 * members do not bring their work home
 * nothing leaves the space
 * physical workspace
 * long tall benches that can accommodate 4 people
 * whiteboards everywhere: walls and even bordering the floors (carpeting in the center of the space)
 * post it notes/color coded on sliding whiteboards
 * Apple design engineer actually recommended reading chapter 8 "The Set Designer" in //The Ten Faces of Innovation// by Tom Kelley, General Manager of IDEO

The Cupertino Campus
 * designed by The Sobrato Organization
 * 856,000 sf in six 4-story buildings
 * Completed in 1993

Apple designers do not work in large collaborative groups. In general, Apple tends to get the best people for the job and they expect that person to get it done. [An example is in the iTunes division--the "Featured" section each week is developed by one person (one for US and one for UK actually). Also, good to know that product teams are not strictly engineers. They can include art and anthropology majors.] In some projects, members can pull people in as needed, but ultimately one individual is responsible.
 * Social/Technological Space**

For these reasons the design work environment does not include many common areas; instead there are partitioned work areas defined by glass, whiteboard clad walls and silver "ish" elements. The environment clearly reflects the product image.

The only real social area on the Apple campus is the central common green space--Mac Cafe and kiosks with chefs--water features, grass seating areas, patios, etc. People are very relaxed, listening to iPods, groups visiting, even the occasional skateboarder will pass by.



Interview with design engineer on Apple campus (I know it sounds lame but he can't be identified.) My colleague just happened to be attending an Apple Academy at Cupertino when I took on this assignment. Thanks to late night cocktail parties and a few introductions, she was able to talk with a design engineer who had worked on the iPad--he didn't give any "details" but he did describe the general setting and culture, which tends to match what I learned in my more traditional research. Thanks Candice!
 * Resources:**

If you join the Diigo MALT group you will see the highlighted notes on the linked articles. To see all the websites I bookmarked, visit this link Diigo MALT group several I don't reference because they overlap so much, but the Stanford Social Innovation Review is quite interesting.

On a side note: Apple has a partnership with Stanford and Apple Academy attendees earn credit for their participation in the program. Another connection between Apple and Stanford is IDEO founder David Kelley, who is also the founder of Stanford's d School. Great article here http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2011/marapr/features/dschool.html