Cue
Client: Cue, Inc
Product: Premium home audio products
Project Role: Founder, Product Architect
Services: Branding, Research, Design, Detail CAD Development, Appearance Prototype Validation, Compliance Oversight, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Setup and Management, Sales and Distribution, and general business operations management
Established at the end of 2006, Cue, Inc. was formed to develop attractive, high-performance and easy-to-use consumer audio products. The solutions were conceived to be technologically rich but easy to use. Several cutting edge products were developed from concept to international sales including the iPhone docking table radio, a Bluetooth version if the table radio, an internet radio and an ultra high-performance wireless stereo music system.
Accessible Usability
The Cue Radio was designed to be a landmark product. Following in a tradition of classics such as the Bose Wave Radio and Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio, the aim was to create the next iconic vision for the product space. A rich graphic interface, a small overall footprint (smaller than an 8.5 x 11” sheet of paper) and astonishing acoustic clarity and range make this product distinctive in most ways.
Design Details
Sometimes, countless innovations and features go unnoticed by the casual observer of a product. This is by design. The Cue Radio was designed to be a state-of-the art device. Part of this design (which can be seen here) is the in-axis assembly of screws. In order to help ensure a quality product, it was important to ensure an easy and consistent assembly process. All but two screws that hold the product together are in-axis making the product easy to assemble with a suspended screwdriver in a manufacturing assembly cell.