More signs Motorola's not doing so hot: R&D and good design are typically seen as important elements in sustaining a good business, yet the former cell phone giant is shutting down their Urbana-Champaign Design Center at University of Illinois' Research Park. Motorola, which has 18 design centers around the world, is also shuttering design groups in Montreal, Quebec, and Adelaide, Australia.

These days Motorola is looking more and more like one of those companies that just don't "get it." Their UI has always sucked, and from a product design standpoint they always seemed victim to the "hit" mentality, coasting on the temporary success of one or two hot, trendy phones rather than steadily releasing thoughtfully designed products. As they've just reported a quarterly loss, it appears consumers are beginning to understand this.

For those of you designers seeking buyers for your cell phone concepts, try Nokia, Samsung or Sony-Ericsson.