Bridge Design

The retail concept of paying using just your scanned fingerprint needed a robust and ergonomic reader that would become the brand flagship. It also had to be on the market fast. Bridge repackaged an existing scanning engine in a rugged yet elegant enclosure that allowed correct finger placement for a diverse demographic and presented the brand well.

Williams-Sonoma turned to Bridge when it needed new cooking utensils– fast! These elegant molded nylon tools set the standard for comfort and ease of use while meeting Williams-Sonoma's quality and cost targets. Bridge minimized time to market by going directly from our CAD software to overseas tooling.

We created a conceptual design as a refresh to the legendary David Clark aviation headset. Like what BMW did with the Mini Cooper, this was an exercise in envisioning how David Clark could reinvigorate its iconic brand. Since the original was a rich mix in materials, the new version retained and amplified these qualities, moving the product into the 21st century.

The Metacontrols system provides robust, modular machine control. Bridge's low cost, versatile designs acknowledge the products' industrial environment and consumer appeal. Requirements such as heat-dissipating fins, anodized color-coding, and miniaturization are incorporated into the aesthetic, producing an extruded product with a sculpted look.

Iomega asked us to create a high-end, physically robust USB drive that created the perception of a reliable, portable data storage device. They wanted a design twist to justify its premium pricing: the resulting drive added a key ring, pocket clips and a personalization window. It was on the market for several years, a lifetime in consumer industry.

Palm Consumer Marketing wanted to create a new PDA with simple features and a low price-point. The smaller, less business-oriented concept has updated design, with a soft rubber protective cover that's easy to use. This working prototype was used in user focus groups, leading to the marketing strategy that became the 'Zire' brand.

This project challenged us to create a refreshed look for a DVD player while changing as few appearance parts as possible and within serious time constraints. We were able to design something that was significantly improved and higher-end from the prior generation, and the product was able to go to market quickly while being cost-effective.

Courting high-end users, Palm's Tungsten needed a stylish and unique presentation. Bridge's packaging allows the Tungsten to seemingly float in its box, though it's protected from impact in a recyclable plastic tray system. The graphics give a feeling of sophistication, while the minimalist box panels project stylish precision. We partnered with Linda Castro Design for the branding, while we designed the structure.

New function leads to new form in this gyroscopic wireless mouse: it works on a desk as well as in the air. These two modes necessitate different hand positions for gripping the mouse. Working with Gyration Technologies, Bridge used many iterations of foam models and machined prototypes to derive a form that's comfortable and ergonomic for both.