Awards 2010

SELECTED PRODUCT
GXR

The basic concept of the GXR is “Photographing the entire world!”. The GXR is a compact digital camera system providing interchangeable lens capability. The design demonstrates the product potential and appeal of this camera system. As “a tool for the artist”, this system incorporates traditional proprieties of cameras and the feel of its series predecessors. The design of this new camera system also represents new potentials in photography, expandability, and possibilities. Our objective was to capture the evolution of digital camera culture.

GXR

The basic concept of the GXR is “Photographing the entire world!”. The GXR is a compact digital camera system providing interchangeable lens capability. The design demonstrates the product potential and appeal of this camera system. As “a tool for the artist”, this system incorporates traditional proprieties of cameras and the feel of its series predecessors. The design of this new camera system also represents new potentials in photography, expandability, and possibilities. Our objective was to capture the evolution of digital camera culture.

CX4

The CX4 is designed to be “a tool you want to carry about everyday”, which is our traditional design concept for the CX series. We designed this product so amateur photographers and bloggers who regularly post pictures will feel attached to the camera and feel it's indispensable. We did not prioritize “newness” but “evolution as a tool”, so even though this product has a simple appearance, it excels in manual control, which is further enhanced by the ergonomically comfortable grip.

G700

Our G700 is an on-the-spot tool: it can be used for photographing construction or civil engineering sites or accident scenes (fires or other disasters). We designed this product to provide reliability and usability, so no circumstances would prevent photographers from using it. Based on feedback from on-the-spot activities, we intend to provide advanced features and satisfy the various requirements of digital camera users.

IPSiO SP 3410

The IPSiO SP 3410 can be placed on a side desk or counter in small or home offices (SOHO) and shops. Its design is user-friendly and simple. This model can be placed near to the user in a small space, allowing the user to operate it easily.

imagio MP 6001GP

To meet the requirements of sustainability and a recycling society, we have designed this product so that users will feel attached to the camera and feel it's indispensable. The design is user-friendly, sustainable, and basic. The machine can be disassembled easily and is washable for recycling.

Whiteboard Share iPhone app

Operational simplicity is very valuable, especially if our products can provide operational simplicity beyond that which camera users can imagine. To achieve such a level of simplicity, we have conducted various tests for prototypes, with the aim of minimizing operation procedures. One result of these tests is our Whiteboard Share iPhone app, which is a four-step procedure for taking and sending photographs. Our competitors' similar applications require four or more steps for similar procedures. Our usability evaluations have identified a “sweet spot” (a button position that the user selects intuitively) inside the iPhone operation screen. We have placed a minimum number of buttons in the area of this spot, using different colors and sizes to make them distinctive. In this way, we are making efforts to provide simple operability.

GR DIGITAL III

One element of GR series design is the concept of “legitimate evolution”.

The GR DIGITAL III incorporates significant improvements, developments and enlargement in its lens, monitor, and other major elements. Despite such changes, the model retains the layout, form, and unit sizes of predecessor models.

To make it a convenient and favorite tool, we have designed the GR DIGITAL III with features inherited from previous models, producing an evolved design that has enhanced usability.

CX1

The CX1 is designed to be “a tool you will want to use every day”. Inside its very compact body is a 28 - 200 mm 7.1x optical wide angle zoom lens.

We designed this product so amateur photographers would find it convenient, feel attached to it, want to carry it with them wherever they go, and use it indefinitely.

To enable users to “photograph the entire world” freely and with concentration, we have paid attention to the shape, arrangement, and operability of the ADJ button. In addition, the simple and minimum design elements used on the CX1 have resulted in a sophisticated appearance of materiality that is functional and purpose-oriented.

CX2

The CX2 is designed to be “a tool you will want to use every day”. Inside its very compact body is a 28 - 300 mm 10.7x optical wide angle zoom lens. We designed this product so amateur photographers would find it convenient, feel attached to it, want to carry it with them wherever they go, and use it indefinitely.

We did not prioritize “newness” but a material impression in keeping with our concept of “evolution as a tool”. To provide improved grip on controls while giving the model an appearance of materiality, we applied knurling to the front surface of the grip.

NOMINEE
GX200

The basic concept of the GX200 is “a tool for the artist”. Based on this, the GX200 will provide users with snapshots and new photography experiences that no single-lens reflex camera can offer.
To enable intuitive use of various functions allowing diversity in photographing landscapes, we have paid attention to the number and location of the operation buttons. We have designed the unit size of the GX200 and the shape of the grip carefully, so users can hold the camera securely, which is essential for taking good photographs.

NOMINEE
GR DIGITAL II

Relying on our concept of “legitimate evolution”, and to make GR cameras into “tools for the artist”, we have continuously added fine improvements and new functions to GR cameras. While providing more convenient methods for photographing, we have not added design changes to parts or functions that users have indicated preference for. This way, we have enhanced the usability of the camera to make it a tool for the artist.
We are not pursuing newness blindly, but retaining what is valuable and making changes only if they are necessary improvements. This attitude is part of the Ricoh approach, in which excellent products are built around the concept of “legitimate evolution”.