April 2008

ChauhanStudio, a product design studio based in London with a strong design pedigree, launches new and exciting product designs at the Salone del Mobile 2008. ChauhanStudio has designed four new telephones, Colombo One, Colombo Two, Big and Sandy Eco with SunCorp Communications. They will also unveil their compelling new TV concept for Humax Electronics.

The Colombo Family
Colombo One and Colombo Two are new cordless telephones. The designs follow the principle of the ChauhanStudio to create products that are visually timeless. Their intention was to create a family of products that are quietly beautiful and enduring in their execution. The challenge for them was to figure out how to re-establish a visual relationship between earpiece and mouthpiece, whilst incorporating all of the modern technology required such as digital displays and multi-function keypads.

This was achieved by grouping two areas on the phone with colour and form, making it intuitive both visually and when in use; the earpiece part of the display and the mouthpiece part of the keypad. The result is a design that looks unique and modern yet comfortingly familiar at the same time. They have used shapes and lines that will always work well with one another and therefore age gracefully.

Colombo One stands upright on its base, reminiscent of the early Ericofon of the 50’s and 60’s. The slightly angled earpiece /mouthpiece relationship is a modern take on the classic old generation receivers. Colombo One inspired Colombo Two, which in contrast lies face down in it base. As its shape is unhindered by having to be freestanding, the handset can be acutely angled for both usability and character. Both designs prioritise comfort. Each design will be available in three colours: white, black and one accent; “Bobby Trolley Green’ for One and ‘Special Orange’ for Two. The Colombo family is intended to be a comfortable, well-dressed and a happy one, visually accessible and affordable, designed to appeal to a broad target audience. Is it possible to fall in love with a family of phones? YES.

Colombo Two will be available in May 2008, followed shortly by Colombo One and also Three, a corded product currently in development.

BIG
Big is a DECT telephone designed with size in mind; while being a very desirable design in its own right, the keys and display are all “oversized” to help those with poor vision or limited dexterity. Designed as a visually simple unit with a clear graphical layout, the intention is for Big to appeal not only to those who require the enhanced usability, but also to a design-conscious audience as the style is strikingly simple and will look good in any environment. The bases can be wall mounted. This is usually a challenge; making something that looks good on the desk doesn’t always look that great when wall mounted and vice versa. This problem was addressed by changing the orientation of the bases, so that they sit “lengthways” on a desk with the handset facing forwards. This way, when wall mounted the base doesn’t protrude from the wall too much and by hiding the wall mount bracket, it also appears to float. Again, the design doesn’t use superfluous surfacing and details and therefore will age well. Nice big keys and nice big display.

Big, who deserves a big hug from a loving hand will be available to buy in April 08.

Sandy Eco
Sandy was originally launched in 2005 and here we have a new version; Sandy Eco. Now made from 100% recycled plastics, the design retains its original ethos of simple clean lines and affordable price point. It will come in a simple recyclable gift box with recycled Quick Start Guide with full instructions available online. Sandy Eco also features an Eco mode, which transmits less power to the base when not in use and a Code of Conduct energy efficient power supply. It’s a telephone for the home and designed as such, well proportioned and comfortable and with a neutral colour palette to suit any environment.

The new Sandy Eco will be available in April 08.



Hal TV
ChauhanStudio will unveil their new Hal TV concept for Humax Electronics at the Milan Salone. The design challenges the black boxes that are the modern flat screens of today and explores how to make the modern television a more expressive and emotional object for the home. The concept also investigates the acoustic challenges of flat screen televisions; this new solution provides a much needed improvement in sonic performance.




About ChauhanStudio.

ChauhanStudio is Tej and Sach Chauhan, a talented design studio that believes that attention to every detail of an object makes the difference between an average work and a special one. Their objective is to produce for their clients enduring and compelling pieces that are easy to relate to and efficient to manufacture. The group works across a variety of fields with manufacturing processes ranging from low volume through to high output mass production. Tej Chauhan graduated from Central St Martins in 1995 and was a Senior Industrial Designer with Nokia for 5 years. During this time he was the lead designer for the Nokia 7600, Nokia 7280 and Nokia 7370. Sach Chauhan graduated in Industrial Design Engineering in 2001, since graduating he has specialised in lighting design. Collectively they have worked with various clients including British Airways, The Body Shop, BAA, Sainsbury’s, BBC, Habitat and Natwest and have won the following awards – IDSA IDEA Gold and Silver, and iF Product Design Awards, amongst other accolades.

For more information and images please contact:
Circle | Jodi Mullen – jodi@circle-pr.com | Tel: +44 7971 99 77 30