Build an identity
Google wanted a hardware portfolio. And, uh, let's do it despite the lack of Packaging, DFM, Engineering in house teams to name a few. With unclear paths forward, managing through ambiguity was a weekly task. One thing was clear, the need to reshape the current ID organization, take what was there and build from the ground up. Prepare ourselves for the future.
I arrived in the winter of 2015, the team was thrust into full gear in January. I was building teams and designing all at once.
Pixels done through 2015 - 2022
The Ask: It's January, let ship in October! You mean this year? Pixel 1 - 2016
Pixel 2 What I wanted Pixel 1 to be. Time does wonders. 2017
Pixelbook Built in silicone palm rests edge to edge trackpad
High tier Chromebook Oxymoron?
Pixelbook Wacom pen and felt case 2017
Pixel 3a Design Language continuity More affordable The right business path imho 2018
Pixel 4 with cameras and capabilities growing Let's reinvent the icon
Pixel 4 Fabric Cases
Pixel 4 2018
Pixelbook Go designed for better cost 2019
Pixel 5 Let's ship during Covid 2020
Pixel 5 with case 2020
PixelStand Wireless Charging 2020
Pixel 6 Google Silicon A new Icon for 2021
Pixel Post consumer reuse
Pixel 7 2022 Refine, Refine, Refine
Pixel 7 Family 2023
Pixel Fold 2023
About those futuristic experiences
I joined Google to continue work I started at Motorola. With HW/SW and OS under one roof, I felt this would be a great chance to move the bar. But Google’s focus was to launch a mainstream hardware portfolio that would showcase the best that Android could offer. So in between the cracks of shipping devices on an annual Spring Fall cadence, we conceptualized the future.
This is where I have to say, “if I show you, they’d find me and___”. NDA’s happen.
Some company somewhere is working on these things…
Small groups of people can have a really huge impact
Larry Page
When I arrived at Google, every team was small relative to my experience at Motorola. With a big appetite for Hardware, growth was part of the task.
Google highlights:
2015-2022
7 Years as Director of Design
Design:
18 unique phones sku’s shipped
Pixel 2: a simple icon
Pixelbook: a great laptop design, unfortunately on a WEB OS
IDEA Golds for Pixel 2, their cases and Pixelbook in the same year.
Business:
Helping build 7 seasons of the Pixel portfolio
Led a team of 9 to design and produce 7 key products in the first year
Providing and creating growth and career paths for the team
Pixel exhibitions in Milan and Tokyo
Creating the Google Design Mentorship
Photo credit: Google