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Striving for an MFP prompting users to place it nearby

2016/01/25

　
This is Kodawari; Striving for design perfection; Striving for an MFP prompting users to place it nearby; Makoto Kurata, Shuuichi Takeda, Product designers at Ricoh's Corporate Design Center
An iconic presence in the office; This time Mr. Kurata and Mr. Takeda were charged with this product. First, Mr. Kurata compiled the design concept. 'We intend to create a design-oriented MFP. We ask you to design an MFP, disregarding cost or engineering issues,' the product planning section said to him. Such a thing has never happened before. He was motived by the want to be told by clients, 'I want this product.' The design concept was not an MFP that can be placed nearby but an 'MFP prompting users to place it nearby.' Sophiticated design is essential for this. Mr. Kurata himself visited non-office spaces featuring fashion, household appliances, cars, interior, or cafes to feel the tactile sensation of those spaces. Mr. Kurata said, 'I wanted to make an MFP not a business machine but something like an interior piece that betters office atmosphere. A presence like a sofa or curtains to change a room's atmosphere. An interior piece to perform copying.' Let an MFP be an iconic presence in offices.
Design importance recognized during an overseas business trip; This time Mr. Kurata and Mr. Takeda were charged with this product. First, Mr. Kurata compiled the design concept. 'We intend to create a design-oriented MFP. We ask you to design an MFP, disregarding cost or engineering issues,' the product planning section said to him. Such a thing has never happened before. He was motived by the want to be told by clients, 'I want this product.' The design concept was not an MFP that can be placed nearby but an 'MFP prompting users to place it nearby.' Sophiticated design is essential for this. Mr. Kurata himself visited non-office spaces featuring fashion, household appliances, cars, interior, or cafes to feel the tactile sensation of those spaces. Mr. Kurata said, 'I wanted to make an MFP not a business machine but something like an interior piece that betters office atmosphere. A presence like a sofa or curtains to change a room's atmosphere. An interior piece to perform copying.' Let an MFP be an iconic presence in offices.
An MFP users grow attached to; Mr. Takeda developed a concrete design from the design concept Mr. Kurata compiled. 'I'll try something different from what has been done before, to keep the usual traits of MFPs at a distance.' First he identified what the traits of MFPs are, and then he pursued an ideal design excluding those traits. Following this he discussed with the product planning and engineering sections how far the ideal design can be attained. There were some points Mr. Takeda were concerned with. 'To make an MFP look compact,' the body of the MFP was curved at all four corners so that it looks smaller than it actually is. 'To prompt users to place it nearby,' it was provided with a cover to store the connector parts and cables so that the rear of the MFP also looks slim. 'To keep the traits of MFPs at a distance,' the MFP was designed so that the ARDF* and paper output trays do not protrude from the main unit while extension trays for A3 paper can be contained in the main unit. Providing careful design for details, Mr. Takeda wishes 'users could grow attached to this MFP as they should to their personal belongings.' *Automatic Reversing Document Feeder
Universal design; Mr. Takeda thinks, 'I wish to create a design that is a longtime favorite and will not become old-fashioned.' Design shouldn't be made by taking in trends or the latest needs superficially so that the design soon becomes obsolete. As MFPs are of a highly public nature, it should possess universality to be received by many people. Our design has been developed upon identifying changes in the office environment and distinguishing universality from fashion.
Takashi Munakata, Design Director; I'm always thinking about what design can do for society. That is actually showing customers what they want by giving it form and making it tangible. What customers have in mind has taken shape in this product. I would be delighted if customers can feel 'the office environment has been improved or became convenient.'
Front Runner: SPECIAL “Round-table talk” The future of MFP starts here, the “RICOH MP 305+”
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