O Linker

Toronto based telecoms company KnowRoaming was looking to expand into the enterprise router space with a unique product, and our task was to design an iconic shell to house their new technology.

A key feature of the tech was the ability to connect products together and have several routers working in tandem. Pairing this functionality with sleek and distinctive aesthetics, we collaborated with KnowRoaming engineers to develop three modular router concepts that could link together in exciting ways.

KnowRoaming focuses primarily on data roaming services. The router project represented a bold move into the hardware market, and it called for an original physical identity.

After studying the company brand and ethos, and examining competitors such as Apple and Ubiquiti, we responded with a design language that combined tactility with an interactive user interface.

Alongside KnowRoaming’s computer engineers, we designed three concepts that reconsidered the form and function of the modern-day router. We hand-sketched each concept, and created 3D models with computation and mechanics specialist Dr Gennaro Senatore. Our parametric designs could be adapted seamlessly as we refined the ergonomics and integrated the KnowRoaming tech.

Project details

Client:
KnowRoaming

Location:
Toronto, Canada

Categories:
Concept, Design, Prototype

Timeline:
2016 — 2017

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