info [at] nonfiction.design
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The Intel NUC series is well-known for featuring high-performance, lower cost products with a small footprint, making the computers easy to integrate in various work and industrial environments. To increase its thermal performance, we have applied computational patterns inspired by corals to a large portion of the design. We took the classic “black box” design and made it more efficient and beautiful. The NUC series is no longer a computer you hide, but rather a distinctive sign of performance and high design. The NUC division of Intel was acquired by ASUS in 2023 for $500 million.
The NUC lives in a unique space integrating traditional, high power computing components into a small form factor. Users can swap RAM and hard drives for different needs. In combination with its reliability and low price, the NUC has grown rapidly in popularity. In response, we designed the NUC to balance the functional properties for commercial applications with sophisticated patterns and colorways for the growing consumer audience.
Thermal dissipation became a driving factor for the redesign. How can we create a housing that conforms to the extreme thermal needs while satisfying low a cost bill of materials (BOM) and visually establishing the NUC as the future of miniature computing?
Intel is recognized for performance and reliability within the IT community. However, they needed an iconic design language that could compete with the likes of the Apple Mini and other devices in the competitive consumer landscape. Our strategy and design teams worked closely with the Intel team to explore three distinct categories; Commercial, Revolution and Evolution. These categories allowed our team to comfortably introduce various expressions to the broader Intel audience.
The Revolution design departs from Intel's traditionally rigid brand. It speaks to digitally savvy creatives. They see the future and the future is computational. These are people working in computational design, projection mapping, 3D modeling, animation, and video. Revolution uses an organic Voronoi pattern for thermal regulation and aesthetic patterning. Its pattern appears to be alive. It's less of a device you use, and more of a helping companion you can rely on.
The Commercial design language responds to the direct needs of the IT sector. This includs functionality, usability and durability in a "means business" form factor. With rigid lines, it communicates a sense of precision and uniformity. It stacks easily and lives next to other NUC's without compromising physical space. The opposing ventilation patterns on either side keep components cool over time. It's honest and looks exactly like what it does. No nonsense.
The Evolution design language focused on the near term consumer. How do we make a computer live elegantly in the home without appearing out of place. We studied user's environments. We challenged what a computer should look like. Ultimately, people rarely want the status quo of computers in their home. They want a device that feels comfortable, elegant and almost sculpture-like. The Evolution design language pushes the boundaries of technical and material innovation through it's organic, hexagon ventilation mesh and wrapped fabric exterior.
The Intel NUC series is well-known for featuring high-performance, lower cost products with a small footprint, making the computers easy to integrate in various work and industrial environments. To increase its thermal performance, we have applied computational patterns inspired by corals to a large portion of the design. We took the classic “black box” design and made it more efficient and beautiful. The NUC series is no longer a computer you hide, but rather a distinctive sign of performance and high design. The NUC division of Intel was acquired by ASUS in 2023 for $500 million.
The NUC lives in a unique space integrating traditional, high power computing components into a small form factor. Users can swap RAM and hard drives for different needs. In combination with its reliability and low price, the NUC has grown rapidly in popularity. In response, we designed the NUC to balance the functional properties for commercial applications with sophisticated patterns and colorways for the growing consumer audience.
Thermal dissipation became a driving factor for the redesign. How can we create a housing that conforms to the extreme thermal needs while satisfying low a cost bill of materials (BOM) and visually establishing the NUC as the future of miniature computing?
Intel is recognized for performance and reliability within the IT community. However, they needed an iconic design language that could compete with the likes of the Apple Mini and other devices in the competitive consumer landscape. Our strategy and design teams worked closely with the Intel team to explore three distinct categories; Commercial, Revolution and Evolution. These categories allowed our team to comfortably introduce various expressions to the broader Intel audience.
The Revolution design departs from Intel's traditionally rigid brand. It speaks to digitally savvy creatives. They see the future and the future is computational. These are people working in computational design, projection mapping, 3D modeling, animation, and video. Revolution uses an organic Voronoi pattern for thermal regulation and aesthetic patterning. Its pattern appears to be alive. It's less of a device you use, and more of a helping companion you can rely on.
The Commercial design language responds to the direct needs of the IT sector. This includs functionality, usability and durability in a "means business" form factor. With rigid lines, it communicates a sense of precision and uniformity. It stacks easily and lives next to other NUC's without compromising physical space. The opposing ventilation patterns on either side keep components cool over time. It's honest and looks exactly like what it does. No nonsense.
The Evolution design language focused on the near term consumer. How do we make a computer live elegantly in the home without appearing out of place. We studied user's environments. We challenged what a computer should look like. Ultimately, people rarely want the status quo of computers in their home. They want a device that feels comfortable, elegant and almost sculpture-like. The Evolution design language pushes the boundaries of technical and material innovation through it's organic, hexagon ventilation mesh and wrapped fabric exterior.
