The design goals
for the new AV receiver
Q: To start things off, could you tell us briefly about yourselves and what you do?
Kakimoto:
I work for Pioneer designing the user interfaces for our car audio and navigation systems. I'm also involved in the development of our smartphone applications.
Pioneer corporation
Akimasa Kakimoto
Akimasa Kakimoto is in charge of GUI for car electronics products and DJ products, and is the GUI design leader for the new AV receiver.
Akatsu:
I'm a manga creator. I started out drawing manga, but lately I have also been pursuing a career in illustration. These days I do a lot of freelance character and mecha design work depending on what is needed. For the new AV receiver, I did the design of the car in the promotional animation.
promotion animation
Yutaka Akatsu
Yutaka Akatsu debuted as a cartoonist, and his illustrations and characters have been enjoyed all around the world. He is in charge of mechanical design for animation in this project.
Roy:
I am the Creative Director of a company called Rival Schools. 10 years ago, I was one of three founders that started the company in Vancouver to offer UX (user experience) and Content Design services, and 2 years ago we expanded that operation into Japan.
Rival Schools
Roy Husada
Roy Husada is a highly experienced design professional with over 15 years of leadership. He also provides consulting services for some of the world's most well-known brands of digital products.
Q: What has been your experience since coming to Japan?
Roy:
Living in Japan has certainly deepened my understanding of the Japanese culture and language. I feel like part of me is still a foreigner looking at Japan from the outside. The interactions between the dual-perspectives are what I find fascinating.
Q: Why did you get into UX design?
Roy:
I started out working in digital design. At the time, Flash was just starting to become popular, so I became quite good at creating applications and websites using Flash. I've spent the biggest chunk of my career so far working in digital design. Though recently I've also been building my skills in product design and tool development for enterprises.
Q: So, let's talk about the new AV receiver. For starters, could you please tell us about some of the product's special features?
Kakimoto:
This is the new AV receiver's home screen. One of the new model's special features is that users can customize the home screen however they like. For example, if you only use the Radio, iPod, and DVD functions, you can customize the screen to make it just those three buttons. Depending on how the user wants to use the product, they can transform the home screen as you like.
Q: How did you go about creating a design that's easy and safe to use while driving?
Kakimoto:
It's about making sure that the buttons are easy to press and that operations can be performed with a minimal number of presses. Your finger should only have to move a short distance for each button press. Users are able to place the buttons on the screen wherever is convenient for them and that is the best way to ensure both safety and ease of use. Typically, it can be hard to press the right button while you're driving.