In terms of consumer electronics, Apple is certainly one of the most watched companies when it comes to product design. From desktop units and laptops to MP3 players and now mobile phones; Apple’s designs are consistently sleek and wow-worthy. This morning it has been reported that El Jobso has officially found himself a new head of Apple’s product design team. So who is the new man of the hour over in Cupertino? None other than Mr. Doug Field, best known perhaps for leading the engineering team behind the Segway. Savior to warehouse pickers, overweight mall security guards and Shaq, the Segway is the personal transportation device that most will remember as never having lived up to the hype. Not even close. It is quite the design specimen though and has garnered all sorts of media attention. At Apple, Field will assume the role of Vice President of Product Design and it remains to be seen how Field will mesh with the rest of the design team at Apple. Field clearly has his work cut out for him though – it will be interesting to see how he fares when working on products that the public will actually use. Of note, here is a quote from Steve Jobs in 2003 with regards to the industrial design of the Segway:
“I think it sucks. Its shape is not innovative, it’s not elegant and it doesn’t feel anthropomorphic.”
