This three product family of laboratory photospectometers represents a bold new direction for Hunterlab products. By introducing a set of new and notable key brand attributes, overarching design principles and signature design elements, this series is poised to celebrate and unify Hunterlab’s long history of excellence in benchtop optical lab equipment.
Our new VBL is approachable in the lab, easy to use/maintain and celebrates the cutting edge technology contained within. Hand fabricated, one-at-a-time solutions from previous generations have now been replaced by thoughtful, well engineered and mass manufacturable parts. This opened the door to innovations like motorized automatic height adjustment, spill proof internals and satisfying magnetic closures while also reducing overall part count and labor.
As a beautiful family, the group of products harmonize, despite distinctly unique form factors and end user functions.
Adjusting and calibrating color photospectrometers is tedious, time consuming and requires careful skill to complete or troubleshoot. As part of our VBL, the color breaks in each product signal areas in the design that can be easily accessed for service. We designed these systems to include servo-controlled functions for the first time and by linking them to the sensory array, allowed these devices to auto set and auto calibrate for the first time. A core aspect of our overarching strategy was to make these devices more approachable and easy to use. Automation behind the scenes and visually softened forms on the outside tie this idea together.
Some of the products rely heavily on working with liquid samples. Unique and thoughtful
design integrated into the molded plastic components mean that a spilled sample vial no longer means a ruined product. Through a clever network of internal gutters, the products shrug off accidental spills without damaging electronics or other sensitive equipment. Through the careful documentation of these strategies, future products can employ the same attributes.
All of the products are unified by the same touch-screen based user interface for the first time. This means that an operator using one device can translate that experience and be instantly successful using any other Hunterlab product in the line, making the entire series more approachable, lowering a barrier of perceived intimidation.
Due to the significant weight and delicate balance evidenced in older products, legacy lab equipment of this type is challenging and often hazardous to routinely adjust. Pinch points put fingers at risk and height adjustments to the sensor unit required the operator to hold a heavy, free-moving object with one hand before setting in place with fasteners.
Our design systemically impacted ergonomics and usability for the better, through automated, motor driven systems. Pinch points were considered for and eliminated.
An intentional internal path for spilled liquids make the products forgiving of user mistakes and protect the laboratory’s significant investment. A vastly reduced overall weight from previous Hunterlab products means that if the products need to be moved from the lab bench, they can be moved safely by one person.
Screen angles on all three devices were sensitive to the realities of overhead lighting in lab environments and were positioned to relieve glare and fatigue. These tasteful screen angles become a signature design element and differentiate the look and experience across the family.
The multi-position Agera exhibits this best by being cleverly designed to operate in two completely different orientations, allowing for preference and relevance in the lab to be respected. This position mode change is a first of its kind for any product in this category.
The overall look is designed to inspire confidence and professionalism while being approachable and easy to use. The signature design elements our team created shine throughout the series, despite the vastly different overall form factors between the three products. A unique debossed pattern was developed and used across the product line to create a distinctive and identifiable look for HunterLab's products. The shape is inspired by HunterLab's logo, representing a 3D color spectrum and conveys a look of technical sophistication.
The two tone part breaks are celebrated rather than hidden with clean acute edge treatments that uniquely create light and shadow across the enclosure in a way that’s compelling and memorable. The panels appear to float in midair, making the surfacing compelling and inviting. The aesthetic both symbolically and realistically makes them easy to access and service, giving them lasting value.
A confident, flared elevation silhouette allows these products to break out of the frame of simple boxes. Large, wrapping corners reflect a consistent proportional constant across each product, meaning that rather than a simple radius, the corners of the product and sculpted to reflect the overall volume, making the forms subtly complex, instantly recognizable and banish the unwelcoming, utilitarian looks that are often associated with technical lab equipment.
Semi-gloss metallic finishes and shallow textures throughout bely a sense of quality. The overall form factors shrank 20-35% from previous generations through clever packaging in the internals, supporting a key aspect of the strategy to position Hunterlab’s products as state-of-the-art.
