By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator
Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods! Be sure to attend some of the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater. These programs will give you a new perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business.
The four days of the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show will be packed with events and educational sessions. To help you plan your valuable time at the Show, we preview the 21 presentations that will take place in the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center. Don’t miss the chance to meet the speakers in person and for the opportunity to ask questions relevant to your work. All programs are audio-recorded and will be available on www.housewares.org after the Show.
Be Humiin™: Multi-Sensory Interactions of People, Products and Environments in a Connected World
Tuesday, March 10 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Innovation Theater, Lakeside Center, Room E350
Today we are speaking with Chuck Pelly, chief creative officer of San Diego-based Intersection-Inc. A renowned product, seating, auto and transportation designer, Chuck is the founder/former president of Designworks/USA, which grew to be one of the world’s top 10 design consultancies and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW Group. Chuck designed the original Scarab sports cars for legendary racer Lance Reventlow and led design for noted branded products. He pioneered the development of comfort ergonomics in office seating, industrial equipment and medical devices. Awarded more than 40 U.S. and foreign patents, Chuck has been honored by numerous design organizations, has taught and lectured widely and served on many boards. He has been president of the Industrial Designers Society of America and was named an IDSA Fellow in 1994.
Chuck is co-founder of The Design Academy, Inc., a multi-disciplinary consulting group, dedicated to sharing design and creative knowledge with corporations, educational institutions and organizations. He is passionate about working with students, researchers and clients to identify cutting-edge technologies that can be harnessed through the power of design. His 45 years of experience give him an unparalleled global network of collaborators, suppliers and manufacturers to help him capitalize on this Power of Collective Thought™ to speed commercialization and increase innovation.
Chuck, what is the most exciting or rewarding part of your work? What inspires your passion in your work?
I love to improve products and work on ideas in order to bring comfort and beauty to people of all ages.
In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you work?
The demand for innovation is understood by all, yet most corporations are not able to handle the risk that is involved to make true innovation. We face this challenge as we try to convince them of the opportunity to be disruptive and make significant change. This includes breaking down silos so there can be a full understanding of the user experience and effecting changes in their internal processes. A commitment from the top is required to drive this transformation.
Why did you choose to speak at the International Home + Housewares Show?
As a designer who enjoys beautiful objects, I find so many of these in the home and entertainment areas. These products intimately reflect the ever-changing taste of the public and provide us the chance to contribute something unique and special. It is a fast-paced world: technology, new materials, processes, and generational needs are all intersecting. Now is a very exciting time to be designing products.
Tell us what you will be speaking about and how and this topic is important for Show audiences.
I will be presenting a design philosophy– HUMIIN™ –which examines many factors in order to truly design experiences and products that resonate with people. What makes us Human? What can we learn from nature and the larger context of our universe? And how can the sciences help us make a more seamless connection to products that resonate with our soul? We are moving at such a fast pace now. Companies that truly put the human at the center of their approach will have a better chance of success.
The HUMIN™ approach includes:
- Human – Emotion, Exchange of Ideas, Self-Expression, Organization
- Understanding – Behavioral Science, Social, Cognitive, Physiological, Biological aspects
- Machine/Product – Sensing Technology
- Interface/Interaction – Anatomy, Ergonomics, Human Factors, User Interface
- Intuitive – Our Soul –the 6th sense
- Natural/Nature – Bio-inspiration, Universal Context of our Environment
The BE HUMIIN™ presentation will deepen the understanding of designing with the five senses, (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) including multi-sensory integration. It will take a deep dive into exploring users’ emotional and physiological relationships with the technological interactivity of products in this new connected world.
This is your first time presenting at our Theater. What are you looking forward to most from speaking at the Innovation Theater?
An active question and answer period to create an engaging dialog and build better future scenarios for products and services.
What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products?
I think people look for products that will enhance their lives, not complicate them. Consumers want functionality, practicability and beauty in their products and wonder how their choices will be accepted by their immediate friends.
What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?
- The concern about the receding middle market leaving only low and high cost smaller markets.
- Moving to online purchasing.
- Accessing and understanding new material innovation.
- Keeping up with new technologies.
- Filtering and prioritizing opportunities.
- Speed to market.
Thank you, Chuck, for giving us a peek into this complex and timely topic. I’m sure your presentation will be exciting and thought-provoking. Your energy will invigorate listeners to greater understanding of our human capacities! We look forward to hearing you on Tuesday, March 10 at 11:30 am.
Contact Chuck Pelly at:
Intersection-Inc.
2851 Camino Del Rio South #200
San Diego, California 92108 USA
Cell: 760.688.6962
Office: 858.490.0063
