Chris:That's interesting as you've got the Google software interaction at the heart of the brand, which is very screen-based and somewhat detached from the physical world, so in a way you're balancing that out with very tactile, emotive and sensorial hardware.
Ivy Ross:
Yes, you're absolutely right. You're often interacting with screens which are flat, slick surfaces which are great because they're very efficient and helpful to us. But to add the warmth and tactility around it is really something we're very thoughtful about, wherever and whenever we can be.
Chris:
With the domestication of technology and making it more human, you could've gone down the route of natural woods or metals, but like you described that combination of different surfaces, textiles and plastics also feels very human. Can you talk anymore about the use of plastics and that combination with textiles?
Ivy Ross:
Well you know, design is about solving problems, but we also have the challenge of staying within specific production and price parameters. We would love to utilize wood or other materials in place of plastic but it's just not practical in production at this stage. For example, getting the form factor of Google Home Mini where the plastic and the fabric combine almost seamlessly in a beautiful shape was not the path of least resistance. It was incredibly challenging. But we really looked at every possible option and design and we arrived at the best solution that also fit within various requirements. We are always researching new materials and would love to develop something beyond the traditional plastic, but until such time, that's why we continue to evolve the traditional approach to plasti and we combine it with other techniques. One of the most inspiring parts of my job is using design to solve problems within boundaries like these.
Chris:
You have talked about being an orchestra conductor and your products look effortlessly put together and conceived. So, as a conductor what's your style and how do you manage the different teams to work together in what looks like such a harmonious way?
Ivy Ross:
The great thing about Google Hardware is that the engineering and marketing teams have great respect for our design language and principles. But it's always a dance of trade-offs. Engineering and design are constantly going back and forth to solve problems, but the great thing is, because of the respect we've earned, we give a little bit, engineering gives a little bit. Like I mentioned, the form of the Home Mini was not the path of least resistance. I mean it's certainly easier to make a square plastic box. But the rest of the company saw the consumer reaction from doing something a little bit different. Something that was softer, more beautiful. They're on our side to achieve these things.
I'm so lucky to have such an incredibly talented team ranging from industrial designers to material engineers and I love the fact that they have come from many disciplines. Not just electronics, but from fashion to furniture and even bicycle design. I really do believe that diversity is what fosters creativity. Because of the different points of view we were able to push our design principles to be as strong and unique as possible.
Every week we have a Joint Product Review where individuals bring in products and perspectives to discuss and challenge each other on. I have used the analogy as an orchestra conductor as part of my responsibilities are to hold the vision or maintain the synergy that we've agreed to. And just like an orchestra, sometimes we might need a bit more percussion or need a little bit more violin to really stay true to that vision and make sure the team is working together in harmony so we maintain our consistency. I am very grateful for this opportunity and it's not often you get to develop a brand within a brand, especially at a company like Google.
Our work crosses so many different product categories and the idea is that we can make them all feel like a family through these aligned design principles. I think it's a matter of coherence. Coherence between the vision of the team and the continuing dialogue with open and honest communication. Over time, identifying which of these design principles need to evolve and which ones are really the soul of the aesthetic that we shouldn't change? It's an evolving process and we always challenge ourselves and challenge each other to make sure we can tell if "this feels right" or "this isn't working".
Chris:
In many of the videos I've seen you're playing with materials. There are always material samples and there is a video that shows a materials library. Can you say something about the role of materials?
Ivy Ross:
The great thing is the company let me work with an architect to design and construct our studio. That was such a gift because buildings at Google have been designed for other disciplines in the past such as computer engineering and coding so to have our space designed for visual and industrial designers was a fantastic opportunity. We talked about what was important and two very big things that were not part of the architecture of other Google buildings was the materials library and the colour studio, which are the of pillars of the space. I think for me, creativity is looking at everything holistically, taking it all in and then putting it through your own filter and perspective on the world. So it's really important that we try and inspire each other with new materials, new forms, new shapes and new colours all the time. These two rooms are actually designed with shelving facing outwards towards the rest of the studio so when you walk in every day you see an exhibit of elements that our designers have collected from all over the world. Even a bar of soap that happens to be a beautiful colour or we liked the touch or feel.