Michael Miettinen, Team Manager, Suunto:
What was the starting point and target of the project?
As part of the Suunto organizational change, our user interface designer transferred elsewhere. Thus, we were left facing an urgent need in our project to replace her with a multi talented designer who could do both interaction design and graphic design. This is a rare combination, but we managed to find the needed talent from Etnoteam.
How did Etnoteam help you to solve the situation?
A specialist from Etnoteam joined our wrist unit development team, and quickly took over the role as the lead designer. She was able to seamlessly pick up and resume the project. The tasks of the specialist included user interface design, visual design, production of animated prototypes, documenting the design as well as ensuring the usability of the solutions by running quick usability tests. The project was challenging due to the fact that the hardware and user interface were developed simultaneously, and the user interface was built using the in-progress hardware. This caused special requirements, and we could not anticipate in advance what was possible and what wasn’t. During the project we needed to seek compromises between the technical solutions and usability.
When the Etnoteam specialist transferred to another project we hired a new user interface designer, who continued the work started by Etnoteam. Information transfer went extremely smoothly, and the project still continues. There will be some iteration rounds, but Etnoteam’s work will remain visible.
I have very positive image of Etnoteam. The company is full of hard-core professionals. Our co-operation was flexible and pleasant.
What did you gain from the project?
Etnoteam was able answer our needs quickly. We gained a specialist from Etnoteam who was capable of taking over all the required tasks, and could communicate easily both with the developers and marketing. She had great attitude. She was devoted, knew her own value, and could easily bring forward her own views, and justify the solutions explicitly. She was well liked and a valued member of our group. She was able to adapt to changing situations quickly.
Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of sports precision instruments for diving, training, mountaineering, hiking, skiing and sailing. Prized for their intuitive design, accuracy and dependability, their precise instruments combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve their performance.
Etnoteam specialist joined the agile development team of Suunto as lead designer. Her tasks included user interface design, visual design, producing animated prototypes, documenting the design as well as ensuring the usability of the solutions by running quick usability tests. In this challenging environment it was extremely important to ensure usability taking all the technical limitations into account as well.