In the issue

Welcome to the very first issue of Cannedapps Magazine. Here, ideas are presented as pockets of interactive, bite-sized information that are concise, to the point and no longer than 200 words. In this issue, we aim to inspire discussions surrounding the future interplay between cars, mobile devices and the digital lifestyle architecture. We live in the age of the digital lifestyle and are dependable on the car and mobile devices on a daily basis. The value of the car or a mobile device is unquestionable, but the synergy between them and their combined effects are of far greater value.

More specifically, we have taken a quick look into the type of skills and working environments required to address the changing customer needs. We believe it is still largely undiscovered territory, so let’s prepare ourselves for unexpected twists and turns when rubber and metal meet pixels.

We publish several times a year, so please visit our webpage from time to time and check for updates.

Contributors

The Core Competence

The automotive industry has reached a phase where, in addition to traditional disciplines, a new philosophy must be adopted: the architecture of digital lifestyles.

Essentially, the digital lifestyle architecture refers to a computing model that allows users to use resources in dynamic environments with the most suitable device available. The complex nature of driving situations makes it particularly interesting for the design of services used in a car environment. It is a synthesis derived by imagination, rather than by focusing on a solution to a current problem.

The adoption of the digital lifestyle architecture can be viewed as an evolution of numerous major areas such as interaction design, visualisation, software development, industrial design and automotive design. The challenge here is the fact that the car is the focal point, and the driver experience is enhanced by meaningful digital services, and this requires a profound understanding of the automotive mindset.

Metal meets pixels

Indeed, it's difficult to disrupt the industry that has been doing things in a certain way for decades. How could one make automobiles greater than a summary of their parts?

Indeed, it isn’t easy to make changes in an industry that has been doing things in a certain way for decades. Apart from better quality car parts, what could improve the automobile? It seems that BMW understands the needs of the new customer, and is responding with the launch of its "i" brand. Apart from the revolutionary carbon fiber manufacturing processes, the BMW i3 and i8 look set to be the most connected cars on the market when launched in 2013. These cars will allow drivers to take their entire digital lives with them and make their digital driver experience meaningful. Competing automobile brands are also likely to be in a need of external competence in order to smoothen the transition in interfacing with the fast developing mobile industry and their high standards for interactive products.

This new field of automotive digital lifestyle requires a combination of specialist knowledge and skills from the automotive and the IT industry, which is still under development. We aim to explore this new area of expertise and investigate the resources that are required to be pioneers in its development. In essence we see an uprise of small creative organisations, architects of digital lifestyles, focused on leading the design and development of future mobile services for the automotive industry.

Talk HTML5

HTML5 is one of the latest interesting techniques for creating powerful user interfaces. We are at the front line in exploring its possibilities. CA Magazine invites you to the discussions!

The Architects

We reckon that if The Office of Digital Lifestyle Architecture were to assemble a one-stop-shop team for designing future automobile services to enhance digital lifestyles, they would start by finding bright, curious team players.

Great studios make their hiring decisions based on attitude and keep the teams relatively small. Keep in mind that talent scouts are all very well, but real talent is discovered through connections. In the creative world, CVs are optional.

The key competences you'll need in the team:

Visionary architect The communicator sits on the vision and clearly articulates roles between team members, communicating how the roles should contribute towards the success of the business. Sees the automobile as a work of art and needs to be enthusiastic to make a change.

Idea architect A researcher and detective. He goes beyond industry borders when trying to connect the dots. A Mixmaster. He is heavily involved with customers and marketing.

Product architect Brings design thinking and great sense of style into the mix. He is responsible for functionality and product materials. Besides style, he understands technical problems involved when designing for the automotive industry.

Writing architect Advertising background, a master in copywriting and explaining complex issues. He sets the character and tone for the services to be designed.

Drafting architect Visualises product ideas, motion graphics, 3D and renderings.

Building architect The most technical person in the team with well-rounded knowledge covering popular mobile platforms (iOS, Android, HTML5). Is eager to keep abreast of the latest technology. He is the one who actually builds a functioning product.

Talk Android

Studio Aesthetics

Our office headquarters in Sweden can comfortably accommodate 16 people. Since it is where our designers normally work, it is full of sketchbooks, markers, stylus tablets and Monocle magazines.

We have found that in addition to a healthy level of communication and personal motivation in the workplace, the actual physical layout of the studio is extremely important. Employees have their own workspace including a stylish white desk, slim leather chair and a couple of shelves on which to collect motivational material and books. In our Gothenburg studio there is an espresso bar serving coffee with freshly ground coffee beans and a leisure corner with a projector and an Xbox Kinect console for relaxation.

Working culture

A healthy working culture eliminates micromanagement and motivates team members to help each other. It improves self-accountability and team members have a more open dialogue concerning any challenges or mistakes thus ensuring that everyone puts their best foot forward and establishes respect.

Open communication is a key factor, but is often not enough to ensure a healthy working culture. Instead, a unique philosophy needs to be articulated. When the team understands the "rules of the game" they are free to be as creative as possible within those boundaries. And that is exactly what an innovative team needs - willingness to take individual creative risks.

A great way for nurturing ideas in teams is a philosophy known as "Inventor Culture". It is a method that is not apparent to those outside the team, but is however an important additional element. The rules are beautifully simple: team members are encouraged to look outside the work boundaries, and are entitled to ask for help from any co-worker. They are also encouraged to build something on their own every week if possible. In addition, a complementary "inventor" title and a tangible incentive are given, e.g. to share the profit of a success among the employees.

Cannedapps believes that when a vision is clear enough and incentives are closely connected to work performance then results will be extraordinary.

Beijing

Auto Expo alternates every second year between Shanghai and Beijing and this year it is time for the capital of China to host the event. The Beijing International Automotive Exhibition has improved progressively in terms of its internationalisation, quality of exhibits and its influence in the global auto industry. CA Magazine will join the event and attend the Car Design Night. The Car Design Night brings together design directors and senior designers for high-level networking in a relaxed, social environment.

Held on the evening of the final press day at selected international motor shows, the Car Design Night is sponsored by leading designers at OEMs, independent studios and academic centres. We hope to see you there!

Cannedapps Community

We believe it’s important for artists to feel free and secure enough to share ideas and to get along. CA Magazine shall play a central part in our community building.

Pushing the boundaries and breaking new ground isn’t easy. This new kind of expertise cannot be taught, it is cultivated and what better place to gain specialist knowledge than in regular meet-ups with people who have a common mindset? It is our aim to attract quality talent and therefore to help the community grow organically around us. It provides a great mutual learning environment where experienced specialists and enthusiastic juniors can exchange knowledge and ideas, which can be far more effective simply relying on traditional business planning.

Cannedapps has hosted a number of successful meet-ups already - relaxed gatherings where good food and drinks go hand-in-hand with collective tech-talk. The Baltics region is particularly interesting to watch due to its hacker culture and ambitious youth.

Third Thursday

On the third Thursday of each month we will bring together colleagues and students within: User Experience, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Usability, HMI, Visual Design and Prototype Engineering.

Where to attend

Malmö,
PlockePinn, Bergsgatan 29

Uppsala,
Pipes of Scotland, korsningen Kungsgatan / S:t Olofsgatan

Göteborg,
Lokal, Kyrkogatan 11

Stockholm,
Light Bar & Lounge, Vasagatan 7

Tallinn,
Hell Hunt

We welcome everyone for drinks and mingling. We hope as many as possible can come to our discussions and share thoughts.

Studio Aesthetics

Our studio in Tallinn is in a prime location, with magnificent view of the city and the sea and 2 floors of creative space. It is a second home for our development crew and has become a regular meeting place for the community of growing digital lifestyle architects in Tallinn.