Zellweger outlines the three distinct design eras of the Pixel series, with the latest era focusing on the camera bar. He explains that the camera placement in the first era was arbitrary, but in the second era, the camera became a primary design element. In the third era, the camera bar was refined over three generations. Looking forward, Zellweger suggests that Google will continue to refine the bar-style Pixel phones, emphasizing the importance of design continuity and progression. The article concludes by stating that the visual progression of smartphones should follow the technical progression, rather than zigzagging all over the place.
Key takeaways:
- The design of smartphones has become increasingly homogenous, with the rear camera setup being one of the few distinguishing features.
- Google's Pixel phones have evolved through three distinct design eras, with the current era being defined by a prominent camera bar.
- Claude Zellweger, Google’s Director of Industrial Design, emphasizes that the design of the Pixel phones is not just about aesthetics, but also about functionality and the integration of various components like the camera and battery.
- Looking forward, Google plans to continue refining the design of its Pixel phones, with a focus on continuity and progression rather than drastic changes.