Core77

Ever wonder what one of IDEO's legendary "deep dives" looks like from the inside? The world-renowned innovation consultancy has gone open-source with their latest project, and Core readers are invited to observe and contribute, along with anyone else with an interest in design and prototyping.

The project in question examines an already cool product: the BUGbase customizable hardware platform, which charmed our socks off at last year's Maker Faire. Developed in conjunction with New York-based Ecco Design, the BUG system is sort of Swiss Army Knife for the technologically-inclined, comprised of electronic modules that snap together to easily prototype an infinity of different electronic gadgets, all driven through a simple software UI on your home computer.

For their next round of development, BUGlabs has tapped IDEO, and IDEO has tapped everyone who cares to contribute. They've created a publicly-viewable blog where they're showcasing their research and development efforts and soliciting hard for comments and suggestions.

Concepts presented so far include a Near-To-Eye micro-display...

a custom 10-segment font for E-Ink interface (prototyped here on an Amazon Kindle)...

and a segmented backlight display for turning the BUGbase into a portable rickrolling platform.

BUGlabs + ideo concept 3 - LCD display with segmented backlight from Jeremiah O'Leary on Vimeo.

There are also a few shots of process sketches and prototypes in progress -- all in all a massively interesting read. Total blog lifespan is two weeks, of which one has already elapsed, so if you want to get involved, go check it out and let them know what you think.

>>See the blog here.<<