Map Project Office

Last updated
Map Project Office
Industry Product Design, Industrial Design, Packaging design, Design strategy
Founded2012
Headquarters
Farringdon, London
Key people
Richard Stevens
ServicesStrategy, Research, Design

Map Project Office is an industrial design studio based in Central London, working with both major brands and start-ups in the consumer technology space. The studio works with abstract technologies in the artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the IoT sectors, creating accessible experiences for the end user.

Contents

History

Map was originally formed as a team within furniture design studio Barber & Osgerby [1] to accommodate its growing portfolio of design work for major technology brands including Google, IBM and Sony. Founded by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, it was spun off into its own business in 2012, and has since received over 40 awards including Creative Review’s Creative Agency of the Year 2016. [2] In 2018 Map Project Office and its sister company Universal Design Studio became part of WPP and work in partnership with AKQA. [3]

Work and awards

Map originally started with four people and has since grown to a team of 12 designers. Their three main strands of work are designed for start-ups, global technology brands and, increasingly, exhibition and installation development for leading creative and advertising agencies.

For their work with start-up clients, the studio works in an end-to-end design process, from strategy, design and fundraising to production, sourcing and manufacturing and often across disciplines including engineering, science, digital and business.

One of Map's first projects was with Kano to create a DIY computer kit that promotes STEAM and STEM learning for children. The kit originally launched on Kickstarter and has gone on to receive multiple awards. [4] Further work with startups include BleepBleeps [5] and the Beeline Smart Compass, which was awarded Best Consumer Product by Design Week in 2017. [6]

The studio also works with technology brands conducting concept work, working with the client's in-house design teams to develop strategic products that will shape the future of technology, in many cases where the final output will end up being released 4 or 5 years later.

Working on collaborative exhibition and spatial design projects Map received awards for the Google Chrome Web Lab, [7] the Science Museum Entrance Desk [8] and IBM Watson IoT Headquarters in Munich. [9]

In 2016, the studio was the recipient of the acclaimed Creative Agency of the Year by Creative Review and was also listed by Fast Co as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Design. [10]

For collaborations with Honda, [11] BleepBleeps [12] and Beeline [13] they were also featured extensively in Icon Magazine, FastCoDesign, [14] The Drive, Wired [15] and Dezeen.

The studio was highlighted within The Design Economy [16] as a case study. The report released by the Design Council addressed the skills and economic contribution the industry provides to the UK.

Map Project Office collaborated with Universal Design Studio to design the world's first integrated quantum computing system for IBM. In 2019 IBM launched the IBM Q System One at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Map and Universal defined the vision for the system, where the hardware, spaces and interface were considered as a single coherent experience. [17] The design includes a nine-foot-tall, nine-foot-wide case of half-inch thick borosilicate glass forming a sealed, airtight enclosure. Its glass door opens effortlessly, simplifying the system's maintenance and upgrade process while minimising downtime – making the IBM Q System One uniquely suited for reliable commercial use. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Design Museum</span> Art museum in London, England

The Design Museum in Kensington, London exhibits product, industrial, graphic, fashion, and architectural design. In 2018, the museum won the European Museum of the Year Award. The museum operates as a registered charity, and all funds generated by ticket sales aid the museum in curating new exhibitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knoll, Inc.</span> American design firm that produces office systems

Knoll, is an American company that manufactures office systems, seating, storage systems, tables, desks, textiles, as well as accessories for the home, office, and higher education. The company is the licensed manufacturer of furniture designed by notable architects and designers such as David Adjaye, Harry Bertoia, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Florence Knoll, Frank Gehry, Charles Gwathmey, Maya Lin, Marc Newson, Ini Archibong, Eero Saarinen, and Lella and Massimo Vignelli, under the company's KnollStudio division. Over 40 Knoll designs can be found in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Creative</span> Engineering, architecture and design division of Universal Parks & Resorts

Universal Creative is a designs and creates themed attractions, rides, and resorts for Universal Destinations & Experiences. Its divisions include master planning, creative development, design, engineering, project management, and research and development. The Universal Creative team consists of artists, architects, engineers, designers, producers, builders, writers and more who design and create all of the themed entertainment experiences for Universal Destinations & Experiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AKQA</span> Digital agency

AKQA is a digital design and communications agency owned by WPP. It was founded in London in 1994 and expanded internationally in 2001 through a merger with agencies based in the United States and Singapore. It operated as an independent agency until 2012, when it was acquired by WPP. Initially the firm focused on technology and digital projects, later broadening its focus on design and innovation to services including product and spatial design. In 2020, WPP announced it was merging Grey Group with AKQA to create the AKQA Group. The resulting agency has around 6,000 employees in 50 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cobe (architectural firm)</span> Danish architectural firm

Cobe is a Copenhagen-based architectural firm owned and managed by architect Dan Stubbergaard. As of 2020, the office has 150 employees and is involved in a large number of projects throughout Europe and North America within urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and interior design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barber Osgerby</span> British industrial design company

Barber Osgerby is a London-based industrial design studio founded in 1996 by British designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. Historically named variously Barber Osgerby Associates, BOA, Barber & Osgerby and BarberOsgerby, the practice has been called Barber Osgerby since 2008. Barber and Osgerby's work encompasses interiors, furniture, lighting and product design as well as art and architectural-scale projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samsung SDS</span> South Korean IT company and subsidiary of Samsung Group

Samsung SDS Co., Ltd., established in 1985 as a subsidiary of Samsung Group, is a provider of Information Technology (IT) services, including consulting, technical, and outsourcing services. SDS is also active in research and development of emerging IT technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and outsourcing in engineering. In 2019, Samsung SDS reported a net profit of 750.4 billion won, an increase of 17.5% year-on-year. The company is estimated to have the 11th most valuable brand among global IT service companies, at US$3.7 billion as of January 2020. Samsung SDS has headquarters in South Korea and eight other overseas subsidiaries, one in America, Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, India, and Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandy Carter</span> American computer scientist, marketer, and businesswoman

Sandra “Sandy” Carter is an American businesswoman, speaker and author. She was a general manager at IBM from 2013 to 2016, vice president at Amazon Web Services from 2017 to 2021 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Unstoppable Domains.

James Hilton is an English designer based in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neri Oxman</span> US-based Israeli architect, designer, scientist

Neri Oxman is an American–Israeli designer and professor known for art and architecture that combines design, biology, computing, and materials engineering. She coined the phrase "material ecology" to define her work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London 2012 Olympic Torch</span>

The London 2012 Olympic Torch was carried around the UK for 70 days in the London 2012 Torch Relay, from 19 May to 27 July 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Copenhagen</span> Danish design studio

Space Copenhagen is a design studio based in Copenhagen, founded in 2005 by Peter Bundgaard Rützou and Signe Bindslev Henriksen. The studio works across disciplines from interior design for private homes, hotels and restaurants globally to art installations and art direction, furniture, lighting and refined objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM</span> American multinational technology corporation

The International Business Machines Corporation, nicknamed Big Blue, is an American multinational technology corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York and is present in over 175 countries. It specializes in computer hardware, middleware, and software, and provides hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology. IBM is the largest industrial research organization in the world, with 19 research facilities across a dozen countries, and has held the record for most annual U.S. patents generated by a business for 29 consecutive years from 1993 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emeco</span>

Emeco is a privately held company based in Hanover, Pennsylvania. The Emeco 1006, known as the Navy Chair, has been in continuous production since the 1940s. Today, Emeco manufactures furniture designed by notable designers and architects such as Philippe Starck, Norman Foster, and Frank Gehry.

<i>Dezeen</i> Architecture and design website

Dezeen is an online architecture, interiors and design magazine based in London, with offices in Hoxton, as well as New York City and Shanghai.

Streamtime Software is a web-based project-management tool, first launched in 2002 under the company name Particle Systems Limited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IBM Q System One</span> First circuit-based commercial quantum computer

IBM Quantum System One is the first circuit-based commercial quantum computer, introduced by IBM in January 2019.

Stellar Works is a furniture brand based in Shanghai. Yuichiro Hori is the founder and CEO with creative direction by Neri&Hu architects Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu.

Jon Marshall is a British industrial designer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atkinson Hyperlegible</span> Typeface

Atkinson Hyperlegible is a freely available typeface built around a grotesque sans-serif core, intended to be optimally legible for readers who are partially visually impaired, with all characters maximally distinguishable from one another. It was developed by the Braille Institute of America in collaboration with Applied Design Works and is available under the SIL Open Font License. It won Fast Company's Innovation by Design Award for Graphic Design in 2019 and was shortlisted for a graphic design award by Dezeen in 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Barber & Osgerby". barberosgerby.com. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  2. ↑ "CR Annual Agency of the Year: Map Project Office - Creative Review". Creative Review. 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  3. ↑ "Universal Design Studio + Map Project Office join AKQA". AKQA. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  4. ↑ "Most Awarded Computer Kits". Hello Kano!. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  5. ↑ "Map started out as Barber & Osgerby's consultancy arm, but has evolved into something quite new - Icon Magazine". www.iconeye.com. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  6. ↑ "Design Week Awards 2017 – the winners in full - Design Week". Design Week. 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  7. ↑ "Chrome Web Lab | Universal Design Studio/MAP/Google". www.dandad.org. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  8. ↑ "Winners 2014/Events & Visitor Attractions | DBA: Design Effectiveness Awards". www.effectivedesign.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  9. ↑ "IBM Watson IoT - IBM Watson IoT Centre, Munich". Clios. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  10. ↑ "The 2016 Top 10 Most Innovative Companies by Sector: Design | Fast Company". Fast Company. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  11. ↑ Schultz, Jonathan. "Watch Honda's Self-driving Toys Conquer Earth". The Drive. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  12. ↑ "Suzy Snooze monitor uses light and sound to help babies sleep". Dezeen. 2016-06-21. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  13. ↑ "BeeLine - Icon Magazine". www.iconeye.com. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  14. ↑ "How Self-Driving Cars Could Revolutionize Road Trips". Fast Company. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  15. ↑ Jacob, G. (1995). "Reuters experience of vision over SDH or how comms and television got together and stepped into the future". International Broadcasting Conference IBC '95. Vol. 1995. pp. 274–283. doi:10.1049/cp:19950965. ISBN   978-0852966440.
  16. ↑ "Video: The Design Economy 2018 – Map Project Office". Design Council. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  17. ↑ "IBM Unveils its first commercial quantum computer". TechCrunch. 2019-01-08.
  18. ↑ "IBM Q System One". IBM Q System One. 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.