US designers SchultzeWORKS have designed a desktop PC inspired by television designs from the 1950s.
The Philco PC also takes elements of its appearance from antique typewriters and “steampunk” objects.
SchultzeWORKS are currently looking for PC manufacturers to take on the design, a video of which can be seen here.
Here’s some info from SchultzeWORKS:
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SchultzeWORKS designstudio of Pasadena, CA is proud to announce its top three placement in a recent design competition with their “radical reinvention of the personal computer,” titled ‘Philco PC.’ The competition was sponsored by V-Ray, makers of 3D rendering technology for the Rhino modeling software used to create the project.
The design of the “Philco PC” was inspired by the 1954 design classic Philco Predicta, as well as an eclectic mixture of modern minimalism, the steampunk movement, and antiques. As lead designer Dave Schultze explains, “The result is a design aesthetic that blends multiple elements of the familiar, but with some surprisingly fresh styling that just so happens to house a state-of-the-art Windows 7 PC.”
The SchultzeWORKS designstudio has created a wide variety of consumer electronics and housewares for clients such as Microsoft, LG, and Target, but the Philco PC design received more attention than usual. “The design was a total labor of love,” says Mr. Schultze, “but I felt so strongly that, with few exceptions, most computers are engineered eyesores. So it was very cool to receive so much positive feedback.” This interest encouraged additional development and resulted in a one-minute 3D animation. This video is now being used for presentation to PC makers for manufacturing consideration.
BIO | BACKGROUND :
SchultzeWORKS designstudio was founded by Dave Schultze in 1997. Since then, the firm has designed goods in the categories of consumer electronics, housewares, high-tech toys, furniture, and lighting. Schultze has a degree in Architecture, an Architect’s License, and a Masters of Industrial Design from the prestigious ArtCenter College of Art + Design in Pasadena, CA. Dave maintains a commitment to education by teaching a weekly class in 3D Visualization at OTIS College of Art + Design in Los Angeles, CA.
December 17th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
i’m just waiting for my render to finish. As soon as it is done, i will send it to you!
December 17th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
EPIC FAIL
December 17th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Ho ho, that is definitely eye catchy design, kind of brionvega retro style. This guy has brilliant visualization skills. Congratulation
December 17th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Haha
Awesome =]
December 17th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Looks fantastic.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Basically okay, in a slightly funny way, except for that HORRID mouse.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Still doesn’t beat the epic Mac!
December 17th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
GROSS! This is so 90’s throwback of 80’s throwback of 50’s design. Nobody will buy this.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Ugliest thing ever.
Who would buy such a thing? Above all use it?
No problem with using retro look for new stuff but at least get rid of the aspects, components and parts that prove not to work.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
why? seriously. why? what is this formal obsesssion with retro equipment? a typewiter is a beautiful object just like a mac powerbook or an old panasonic amp. these objects are celebrated within design history, because they represent the technologies and design sensibility of their era. sorry but, i think instead of mastering rendering techniques, one needs to seriosly question his strategies at work. I bet some 13 year old schoolgirls will fall in love with this, but I wouldn’t think that it will get any more serious attention.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I would have been so excited for that computer …. ten years ago. Man – it just looks out of date and out of style.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Not my cup of tea. This is “too much”….
December 17th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
ha, probably the most interesting PC ive seen…
December 17th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Me wants it! AND the mouse!
December 17th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Disgusting Windows.
Why the hell didn’t they put Linux on it?
December 17th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
only cool part is the keyboard… rest looks more funny then classy
December 17th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Seems like having a rectangular app window open would mess up the aesthetics of the whole thing? I can see why the promo pics don’t show an app open…
December 17th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Styling vs designing. This looks more like a retrostyling sauce to me then actually thinking about how to make technology user friendly. This to me has not the quality Apple has in thinking about the possebilities of technological developments and how to communicate this to people. The outcome of the processes the Apple designers go through result in designs that refer to some of Braun’s classic designs. If the process turn the other way around, taking inspiration from design classics and then try to fit a computer in to it it comes down to a styling job for me.
Oh man, I need a break from this stuff.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
i want one.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Looks refreshing after all of those Apple computers designed off of electronics and radios of the 1960s…
December 17th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
The targer consumer drives a cadillac and lives in Vegas, he will be thrilled when he sees this.
December 17th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
thats styling, not good design.
December 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Hey, thanks for all the lively comments. The concept was a design / rendering / animating exercise as well as a tribute to the Philco Predicta design icon. It was created as a “labor of love,” but we up with some crazy media coverage this week. Anyways, the analysis here is excellent! I look forward to the commentary.
Dave Schultze, SchultzeWORKS, Philco PC designer
Check out the video… http://vimeo.com/7951005
December 17th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
the mouse looks like a shaving machine. :)
December 17th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
BRAZIL (movie)
December 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I get the idea but the final out come is…..not good.
December 17th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
walking backwards into the future.
December 17th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
I like it Dave.
Humour and strength. Has some feelings of electrical guitar equipment. Classic.
December 18th, 2009 at 5:37 am
I love it, perfect colour, proper selection of EVERYTHING…doesnt change the fact that it is not the best hardware/software bundle!!! From must always function…very artistic!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I don’t get the point of this project, but I really love the keyboard!
I would say that I don’t like the concept or at least the block, but I find the keyboard pretty stylish, voilà.
December 18th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I like it. Style vs. Design….whatever, it looks cool and aesthetics sell merchandise. If I could buy one, I would. Don’t like the mouse though and both the keyboard and mouse should be wireless. Love the monitor. It could house a Mac or Windows, so what’s the big deal? I’ll take two please.
December 18th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Oh, come on people, you know that whatever modern or ultramodern or even green things you are designing is just a style… no matter how you justify it’s not… in the eye of the general public.
December 18th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
i mean, it looks like pc :D
December 18th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
rad, kinda wish it was a mac though, and fo wood paneling
December 19th, 2009 at 5:18 am
I wouldn’t want one for myself, but I do like that it presents another option for a desktop computer besides either the Dell/HP/IBM-style PC or the Mac. Phones, chairs, tables, picture frames and refrigerators come in many different styles to suit different tastes. Why not PCs?
December 19th, 2009 at 9:27 am
As they mentioned on engadget a week ago, with a CRT display it wouldve been possible to still have a rounded screen, but doing the same with a touchscreen? Good luck with that ;)
December 20th, 2009 at 5:42 am
How is this progressing anything?
December 20th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I quote norm.
I would like to underline how design blogs very rarely present works and products that could become “classics” of tomorrow. This is the limit when you always look for something that catches attention.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
is it a mirror, is it a radio, is it a typing machine…?
December 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Reminds me allot at the computers in the futuristic movie Brazil from 1985.
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Y’all say most of the things I’d like to say.
All I’m left to say is that this thing is YUK
- End of!
December 27th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I would go for a MAC even if Philco was for free..
December 28th, 2009 at 7:35 am
THIS IS AWSOMEEEEEEEE! I WANT ONE!
January 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
definitely cool,
he designed what i actually always wanted to have!!! i love retro in technical design :)
i wouldn’t make it in this colour, but the idea is great! i hope its gonna be realized :)
January 21st, 2010 at 6:28 pm
great thing