Our First Wi-Fi 7 Routers
New Wi-Fi 7 Generation
This was the second major project I participated in after joining Gemtek, and it was both a new challenge and an exciting opportunity. With the advent of the Wi-Fi 7 era in 2022, I was entrusted with designing Gemtek’s first batch of Wi-Fi 7 routers, comprising three distinct styles and product positions. These routers not only had to showcase a breakthrough in the company’s design capabilities but also take center stage at investor presentations and international exhibitions to captivate audiences. I am honored to execute this project, leveraging my design expertise and insight.
Throughout the project, I adhered to a storytelling-centric approach to design. Starting with in-depth consumer research, I explored what users like, and care about, and what design trends are currently popular in the market. For me, the focus is not just on functionality and aesthetics but also on how to evoke an emotional connection, making the product a meaningful part of users’ lives.
Additionally, I delved into the attitude and spirit behind the product, infusing the design with deeper meaning. I firmly believe that a design must first move the designer before it can resonate with the consumer. Through storytelling and the integration of brand values, every detail is crafted with passion and care, aiming to make these Wi-Fi 7 routers not just cutting-edge tech products but also symbols of individuality and attitude.
Three Chip Solutions
Three Designs for
Three chipset vendors—MaxLinear, Qualcomm, and MediaTek—each provided their latest generation of Wi-Fi 7 chipsets. This presented an excellent opportunity for me to design three distinct ID concepts, with each design representing one of the chipset vendors. This approach not only enhances memorability and sparks discussions but also creates clear differentiation between the products.
This design strategy not only boosts the products' appeal and market visibility but also highlights each router’s unique positioning and personality through distinct design styles. By creating this differentiation, the project adds depth and storytelling to the products, showcasing my capability and strengthening the brand’s competitive edge in business promotion.
Defining Unique Product Personalities From Concept to Creation
Differentiated Design Strategy
Every product tells a story, and crafting a unique personality is essential to making a lasting impression. From the initial sketches to the final prototypes, we focused on designing three distinct styles to cater to different user groups, each representing its own character and spirit.
Natural Simplicity – Modern Minimalist
Project A - MediaTek Platform
This design draws inspiration from the modern minimalist style popular in Europe and America, characterized by soft, low-saturation tones such as off-white to create a fresh and tranquil ambiance. The exterior features a clean geometric form, blending fabric and plastic materials to introduce creative design elements. It incorporates 3D textures of linen and woven bamboo patterns, combined with a specially formulated bamboo green color and chlorinated rubber painting, enhancing the product's tactile warmth and layering while exuding a natural charm.
Visit the fabric factory to choose the ideal color, texture, and weave pattern.
Subtle Luxury
Project B - Qualcomm Platform
This design focuses on striking a balance between understated elegance and a sense of refinement and sophistication. Champagne gold was chosen as the primary color, offering a subtle and soft metallic tone distinct from the brilliance of pure gold. The design uses concave surface variations to highlight the metallic reflections, emphasizing fine details instead. The venting design of side panels was created by Rhino Grasshopper, forming a gradient pattern inspired by racing aesthetics. Polished on the recessed areas create dynamic reflections as light moves across the surface, further enhancing the product's texture.
Bold & Rebellious
Project C - MaxLinear Platform
Designed to embody the spirit of speed, power, and cutting-edge technology, this product targets the gaming community and emphasizes key elements such as "sprint," "speed," and "pulse lighting." The body adopts a daring tilted design to convey the dynamic energy of a racing car ready to surge forward. The side panels feature muscular lines inspired by sports cars and the sleek, organic forms of whales, achieving a smooth yet bold aesthetic. Armor grilles and a titanium-gray color enhance the product's details and sense of strength.
*This design ultimately became part of Gemtek's Ocean Series, symbolizing the brand's breakthroughs in the gaming area.
Exhibited at the 2022 Investor Conference, Taipei