PROTOTYPED
PRECISION
The Product Development Cycle involved a rigorous feedback driven loop. Iterations guided by product testing and user feedbacks culminated in a well thought through product. Various factors such as ergonomics, comfort, ease of use, manufacturability and aesthetic appeal were evaluated throughout the variations for their effectiveness.
GALLERIA
NEW PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
The core of the brief was to realise NexStem’s vision for a revolutionary Brain Computer Interface (BCI), ground up. A product that could capture the electrical activity of the brain and translate it into actionable outcomes like interfacing with machines. For a device that could altogether transfigure the way we interface with machines, its foundation were laid in thorough research and vision building. Aimed at application in Research & Development, clinical practices, gaming, VR, etc. the BCI’s design had to be addressed for various unique users & use cases. Here’s a glimpse of the thought and craft that was involved in the design of this one of a kind product.
REFRAMING THE NARRATIVE
BCI’s have had their origins tied closely with Electroencephalogram (EEG) Devices and hence a clinical outlook and experience has lingered in its interpretations throughout. NexStem’s vision of taking BCI’s to consumer spaces such as homes & offices though, meant a dire need to break away from any clinical ties. This demanded re-looking at the User Experience of the product from diverse touchpoints.
At Studio Carbon, we also believed that the nascent stage we are in for BCI’s is akin to the dawn of computers in the late ’70s, when none expected computers to revolutionise the way we work. BCI’s hold a potential to radically shift the way we interface with Machines only with the power of thought. This thought led to the creation of various key hypotheses that shaped NexStem’s BCI.
DESIGNING OUR WAY
THROUGH CLINICAL ILLITERACY
EEG’s and subsequent BCI’s have always required a certain degree of expertise in handling them. Be it the setup, which requires the application of conductive gels or the placement and adjustment of the electrodes, amounting to exorbitant setup times. Envisioned to enter the consumer Space, the Design of NexStem’s BCI had to tackle these challenges tastefully, one that wouldn’t compromise its clinical accuracy while eliminating its clinical complexities. The eventual design of NexStem’s BCI offers a ready to go package, with Minimal setup time and a User Experience that is welcoming to users of all kind. This is made possible with the use of dry electrodes and the proprietary signal processing of NexStem. The expandable headset allows the users to find their best fit while ensuring precision and comfort.
DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF INTERFACES
INTO THE METAVERSE
NexStem’s applications have found their way into the virtual arena of Metaverse. Equipping users with ‘thought-enabled-actions’, it is the perfect companion for the residents of the Metaverse who’ve longed for a hands-free mode of interaction.
Coupled with its ergonomic fit, is the onboard battery backup of 8 hours equipped with wireless transmission, enabling hours of hassle-free Metaverse experience.
AN AMICABLE FUTURE
The transition of BCI’s from clinical applications to consumer spaces also demand a cognitive shift for users. EEGs with their several tangled wires and complex setup procedures have long embedded a sense of apprehension amongst the users or patients. In order to effectively tackle this, it was crucial to refine the visceral and tactile experience of the product, one that was inviting and amicable. This thought led to several thoughtful design decisions for the User Experience as well as the styling of the product.
UNIVERSAL FIT
Nexstem’s BCI is designed to fit a wide range of head sizes, 50 - 65cm. The universal fit is made possible through an expandable three arm design. The geometry of the open headset design allows for a comfortable fit by independently adjusting to user’s scalp. The flexible nature of the arms while imbuing comfort maintain optimal contact for signal reception.
STYLING THE FUTURE
The styling of Nexstem’s BCI is primarily driven by function. An open headset design proved to improve the comfort as well as fit for a wide range of users. This eventually lead to the design of the three armed, trident silhouette. The amicable user experience which was laid out earlier, led to the design of large rounded surfaces which imbue an inviting nature to the product. An overall organic and sculpted style was then arrived at. The product is marked by creases at the intersection of large curvilinear surfaces marking several signature character lines for the product. The sculpted bump at the rear optimally hosts the battery and the volume is meticulously sculpted with two fading creases to be in unison with the overall form language.
NEXSTEM
Our foray into the world of Brain Computer Interface, or BCI for short, started with our collaboration with Nexstem. This rebranding project included a revamp of their ethos, identity, logo and visual style, which later translated into their products as well as the web application.Let’s have a look!
# BRAND ETHOS
# IDENTITY DESIGN
# BRAND REVAMP
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN OF NEXSTEM
UI/UX DESIGN OF NEXSTEM
NEW PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
The core of the brief was to create a compelling logo that does justice to the innovative and futuristic work that Nexstem are doing. While the earlier logo was minimal, it served a functional purpose more than an emotional one. It showed exactly what the BCI headset is about, rather than talk about the bigger picture. The new logo not only brought a new dimension and narrative to the brand, but also added a spark of colours, not seen before in the segment.
DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF INTERFACES
REFRAMING THE NARRATIVE
The human mind is capable of many wondrous things. Nexstem takes this superpower to the next step of evolution. It aims to redefine what it means to be human, by unlocking the mind’s true potential. The logo represents the brand attribute of “Think beyond thought” in a minimal and effective way. The inner negative space is an abstraction of a human head, while the filled, colorful space shows the expansiveness of the mind. The pictorial mark represents the broadening of horizons, opening of minds, and transcendence of our biological limits. It also resembles a doorway to limitless possibilities.
DESIGNING OUR WAY
THROUGH CLINICAL ILLITERACY
Unlike many brands that have a single or dual color palette, Nexstem’s brand is represented by a wide but specific spectrum of colors. Not only does this represent the myriad synapses and states of the mind perfectly, but it also helps Nexstem stand out from the competition. The brand palette sprawls across both cold and warm colors, showing the range of emotions and thoughts that our brain is capable of. The subtle blending of colours is a reflection of our thoughts, which are not always crystal clear or well-formed, but obscure and mysterious.
INTO THE METAVERSE
The human mind is capable of many wondrous things. Nexstem takes this superpower to the next step of evolution. It aims to redefine what it means to be human, by unlocking the mind’s true potential. The logo represents the brand attribute of “Think beyond thought” in a minimal and effective way. The inner negative space is an abstraction of a human head, while the filled, colorful space shows the expansiveness of the mind. The pictorial mark represents the broadening of horizons, opening of minds, and transcendence of our biological limits. It also resembles a doorway to limitless possibilities.
AN AMICABLE FUTURE
Unlike many brands that have a single or dual color palette, Nexstem’s brand is represented by a wide but specific spectrum of colors. Not only does this represent the myriad synapses and states of the mind perfectly, but it also helps Nexstem stand out from the competition. The brand palette sprawls across both cold and warm colors, showing the range of emotions and thoughts that our brain is capable of. The subtle blending of colours is a reflection of our thoughts, which are not always crystal clear or well-formed, but obscure and mysterious.
PROTOTYPED PRECISION
The brand of Nexstem is nuanced and flexible, in that it can change depending on what needs to be in focus. Nexstem’s visual language is an abstraction of our thoughts. Each composition is a multi-layered coalescence of its different features. The topmost layer is adorned with clear line patterns that show a surface-level clarity that we have of our reasoning. As we go further down, things get grainier and hazier, just like our thoughts.
UNIVERSAL FIT
The human mind is capable of many wondrous things. Nexstem takes this superpower to the next step of evolution. It aims to redefine what it means to be human, by unlocking the mind’s true potential. The logo represents the brand attribute of “Think beyond thought” in a minimal and effective way. The inner negative space is an abstraction of a human head, while the filled, colorful space shows the expansiveness of the mind. The pictorial mark represents the broadening of horizons, opening of minds, and transcendence of our biological limits. It also resembles a doorway to limitless possibilities.
STYLING THE FUTURE
Unlike many brands that have a single or dual color palette, Nexstem’s brand is represented by a wide but specific spectrum of colors. Not only does this represent the myriad synapses and states of the mind perfectly, but it also helps Nexstem stand out from the competition. The brand palette sprawls across both cold and warm colors, showing the range of emotions and thoughts that our brain is capable of. The subtle blending of colours is a reflection of our thoughts, which are not always crystal clear or well-formed, but obscure and mysterious.
GALLERIA
IMPACT
With a strong and cohesive brand identity, Nexstem has managed to raise both funds and eyebrows in the months following their rebranding. The brand and logo was appreciated in various expos and exhibitions all round the world, and often became the first thing people notice and remember about the organization. The accolades and a strong recall value that the rebranding got Nexstem was noticed and appreciated by their investors, who themselves loved how the entire project turned out. We are certain that the brand will continue to make waves and take Nexstem further in the years to come.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN OF NEXSTEM
UI/UX DESIGN OF NEXSTEM
