Philco PC: Officially Entered in the IDEA Awards
Posted on 05. Feb, 2010 by Dave in blog
SchultzeWORKS and the Philco PC have been invited to participate in the IDSA-sponsored IDEA awards, or the ‘International Design Excellence Awards’. Entries were due February 1st, 2010, so the Philco PC is now entered in the Computer Equipment / Concepts & Prototypes category. The competition write-up on the Project Challenge coincidentally addressed many of the entertaining comments and imaginative assumptions posted on gadget and design blogs, so that particular section is re-printed below.
The PhilcoPC project was a labor of love, motivated by the frustration of trying to build a new computer for use in design & 3D projects. This long and somewhat painful effort ultimately led to a purchase that was a disappointing compromise. These feelings triggered the challenge: could you design a computer that was as inspiring to look at — as it was to work with?
The research effort studied hundreds of computer cases before several trends emerged. One trend, common to most computers, was that commoditization had led to a monotonous mélange of black and beige. Another trend, used to great effect by Apple, was a pilgrimage towards ‘minimalism at all costs.’ As their products became more highly refined, monochromatic, polished, and serious, they lost almost all sense of fun and personality.
The aesthetic work then embarked on an exploration of the pre-digital world, nicknamed the ‘analog era,’ before miniaturization allowed
components to be shrunk smaller than the eye can see, into boxes that weren’t much to look at. This retro research revealed a goldmine
of inspirational forms that, somehow, had the power to remind us of simpler, happier times.
Philco PC: On the Cover of Real Design!
Posted on 25. Jan, 2010 by Dave in blog
The PhilcoPC is now scheduled to appear in somewhere around 20 magazines, but its very first cover has now landed. Check out the March 2010 issue of Real Design, published in Hong Kong. I’m not sure what any of the text says, but the picture looks sweet and they spelled my name right.
Invitation to International Design Show
Posted on 15. Jan, 2010 by Dave in blog, design
SchultzeWORKS designstudios was honored with an invitation to present the PhilcoPC project at the The 2010 Saint-Étienne (France) International Design Biennial, running for two weeks starting November 2, 2010. We were contacted by exhibition curator Mr. Benjamin Loyauté, who informed us that the Philco PC project was already ‘pre-approved’ thanks to the design and media attention it has recently generated. (more…)
Philco PC: Coverage in CPU Magazine
Posted on 12. Jan, 2010 by Dave in blog
The first print appearance of the PhilcoPC is in the February 2010 CPU (Computer Power User) magazine. We have had unbelievable press from the online media, but this first print coverage was a nice surprise, mostly because they did not contact us for any high-resolution images or questions. (more…)
Engadget Reader Comments
Posted on 07. Jan, 2010 by Dave in blog
The recent media coverage of the PhilcoPC was great and generated a lot of site traffic, but the coolest part was definitely the lively commentary from readers. Here are a few favorites from Engadget. (more…)
Philco PC Gets Local with the Coverage.
Posted on 30. Dec, 2009 by Dave in blog
Alex Cohen
On Tuesday, I was interviewed by All Things Considered Host Alex Cohen for a feature they called “Computer of the Future.” The interview was held at the KPCC studios on the Pasadena City College campus. Alex was a total pro and the interview went more like a friendly conversation than an interview. (more…)
Philco PC video: 100,000 served!
Posted on 30. Dec, 2009 by Dave in blog
http://www.vimeo.com/7951005When the Philco PC video was first uploaded in early-December 2009, we only had a few dozen of the SchultzeWORKS’ friends and family check it out. Not so long thereafter, the project was featured on a few gadget + design blogs such as www.engadget.com, www.gizmodo.com and www.yankodesign.com all on the same day. The number of viewers went from 3 the day before to 30,000 the day after. Now, that’s explosive growth!
Philco PC Media Coverage. Wow.
Posted on 30. Dec, 2009 by Dave in blog
The Philco PC press release [here] went out two weeks ago, and not only was the media coverage amazing, but it still continues. The press release was initially sent to a handful of my favorite design and gadget blogs, but those blogs were so heavily trafficked and syndicated that the coverage then spread to hundreds of other websites, blogs, and media outlets. A google search for “philco pc” returned initial results of 10,000 hits, which then climbed to to 50,000, then to 100,000 … and is closing in on 400,000. (more…)
