他设计的手机卖了1.5亿台 | 我们的四分之一世纪

Core Insights - The article highlights the journey of a prominent industrial designer, Shi Xiaoxi, who transitioned from designing mobile phones at Nokia to exploring broader design concepts, emphasizing the importance of materials and manufacturing processes in design [1][2][19]. Group 1: Background and Early Career - Shi Xiaoxi, a 44-year-old industrial designer, was one of the youngest design experts at Nokia, leading the design of the Nokia 1200, which sold over 150 million units globally, making it one of the best-selling phones in history [1][7]. - In 2006, Nokia was at its peak, with annual sales exceeding 400 million units and a market share of 40%, nearly double that of its closest competitor, Motorola [6][14]. - The design environment at Nokia was unique, integrating design with engineering and marketing, allowing designers like Shi to have significant influence over product decisions [6][8]. Group 2: Design Philosophy and Challenges - Shi's design philosophy evolved to encompass not just aesthetics but also supply chain, cost, craftsmanship, and cultural considerations, recognizing that design is a product of its environment [8][10]. - The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 marked a turning point for the mobile industry, but Nokia's management was slow to adapt, leading to missed opportunities in the smartphone market [10][12]. - Despite efforts to innovate, Nokia's reliance on outdated systems and processes ultimately led to its decline, with a significant loss of market share and eventual acquisition by Microsoft in 2013 [13][14]. Group 3: Transition and Current Work - After leaving Nokia, Shi shifted his focus from mobile phones to a broader range of design projects, emphasizing the importance of material exploration and manufacturing capabilities [19][20]. - His notable work includes the Amazfit smart band, which features a minimalist design inspired by traditional Chinese aesthetics, showcasing his ability to blend cultural elements with modern technology [17][18]. - Shi advocates for a design approach that prioritizes collaboration with manufacturers and embraces new materials and technologies, moving away from traditional design paradigms [19][20]. Group 4: Industry Reflections and Future Outlook - The article reflects on the changing landscape of the mobile industry, where design has become secondary to software and ecosystem considerations, contrasting the past focus on hardware aesthetics [15][21]. - Shi emphasizes the need for designers to maintain a broad perspective and adapt to new trends, warning against the dangers of becoming insular in thought and practice [20][21]. - The narrative concludes with a poignant reminder of the past, as Shi encounters a Nokia 5000, a product he once designed, symbolizing the legacy of an era that has since transformed [22].