Presta
Concept video I art directed and co-produced.
The world’s first built-in, short-throw pico projector.
“Parker, we want to do something with illumination.” This was the original design brief by the industrial design team. I knew there were more opportunities here for interaction and communication. My explorations eventually led me to the "batman" concept utilizing an ultra short-throw embedded pico projector. T-Mobile execs approved additional funding to pursue alpha prototypes—thus proving feasibility. Click here to view my patent.
Illumination exploration demonstrating non-stratified icon levels.
Be scrappy, prototype early
Having access to tools like a laser cutter and a 3D printer informal shop setting definitely afford the designer to rapidly realize their ideas. Soon after sketching ideas for notifications within a transparent phone bezel, I wanted to see how they would truly look and feel.
Prototype ID study I built validating my optics concept would work.
Patented Optics
I imagined projecting icons and imagery through the clear device bezel. With the help of a 3D printer and some rudimentary wiring I was able to showcase that my ideas for how the optical elements could work…would work. Execs then funded another $250k to go build the real thing.
Engineering prototype proving feasibility in a smartphone form factor.
Alpha Validation
This was a technology prototype to demonstrate how the optics and imaging/projection could work in a real-world mobile phone form factor. T-Mobile partnered with Synapse to help develop the optics and projection feasibility, thus proving that images, animation, multi-color and later interaction were indeed possible.
Early ideation sketches.
Photoshop render of notifications only