In recent years, Wacom has adopted a new approach to product development, using a project-based, cross-sectional task force known as the Extended Core Team, or ETC. Each member brings with them knowledge and experience from their respective specialized field. An ETC was set up for the R&D project to develop a pen display focused on portability – the Wacom Movink 13, with a 13.3” full-HD OLED display. Eight members were selected to join this task force.
Professional design instead of generic design
“All Wacom products are made to emulate ‘the feeling of pen on paper’. With our professional product lines in particular, we want to provide creatives with the natural feel – just like that of analog tools – so they can remain focused on their work,” says Miyuki Obata. As a product marketing specialist, Obata served as an interface between the ETC and the development, marketing, and sales divisions. In her capacity as a project coordinator, she helped to find common ground among team members for the final direction of the product.
Our mission: Keep creatives’ hands moving
The target group for Movink is professional creatives or art school students aspiring to work in the creative industry. With this target group in mind, Obata and other ETC members were aiming for a product that would cause creatives “the least distraction.” Our target users frequently work more than eight hours a day or even ten or twelve hours at a time. How can Wacom support these creatives when they work such long hours? With a product that does not disrupt their concentration – that’s how!
“In our opinion, professional creatives always seek an immersive environment where they can stay focused on their work. With their razor-sharp perception, creatives are sensitive to even the slightest interference. A spark of inspiration can be quickly extinguished if they get distracted. If creatives have to fiddle around with their device and software, they can no longer concentrate on their work. Wacom wants to avoid this at all costs.”
Less is more. The device’s exterior should be as simple as possible to avoid any unnecessary distractions for creatives. In meeting the requirements for a portable device that is very slim, lightweight, and robust, all eye-catching features were removed, including Wacom’s logo. In this way, creatives can be shielded from unnecessary visual input and therefore remain focused for a longer period of time. From the early design stage onwards, the development team had been aiming for a device that allows creatives to freely select their working styles. The device can be placed flat or at an angle on the table. Or, you can hold it in your hands while standing, sitting on a sofa, or lying on a bed. Regardless of their work set-up and posture, users should be able to immerse themselves in a world of creativity.
Many small ideas and adjustments make a big difference
The display is also packed with lots of innovative ideas. “To create a device that runs without any hiccups is the absolute minimum. In fact, our work goes much deeper. As a software engineer, I’d like to give you some examples, starting with tablet designs that directly affect the perception of creatives using the product,” says Tatsunori Kato, an ETC member in charge of developing the device’s built-in software. He is a driving force behind the Wacom Center and other functions used for device settings. He explains that all possible care had been taken for the Wacom Movink 13 to prevent creatives from getting distracted.
“Our OLED display comes with the Eye Care Display certification, proving that it puts less strain on the eyes, even when used for many hours. Other eye-friendly features such as the anti-glare and anti-reflective glass treatments were incorporated as well. A brand-new ‘anti-fingerprint finish’ was adopted to achieve both drawing comfort and a better appearance of the device. Thanks to this feature, creatives won’t get distracted by unwanted fingerprints. Touch keys are built into the display, one on either side. But, they don’t stand out on the display thanks to their discreet design. The connecting cable was designed to be just the right length and flexibility, and the L-shaped connector was adopted for easy handling and a smaller footprint. The built-in electronics were carefully controlled to prevent the display from overheating. This means that the display offers no distractions from excess heat, which also contributes to the reduction in energy consumption.”
The accumulation of these small innovative ideas translated into a portable device that instantly provides the right setup for creative work whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.
Sensing creators’ needs before they are expressed
Hearing all this, some may think that Wacom is overly concerned with creators’ needs. Actually, that’s the only way forward for Wacom, which is committed to doing everything necessary to provide the best pen experience for creatives.
“We attentively listened to the voices of professional creatives at the prototype stage of the Wacom Movink 13 project. Most of their feedback only confirmed what we knew already from our design requirements. What we really wanted to know about were any potential problems that would arise after prolonged use. We asked ourselves a whole range of what-if questions: How much eye strain will you feel after many hours of use? What is the creator’s position and posture when using the device? What are possible sources of disturbance that could disrupt their concentration? Essentially, we needed to put ourselves in the shoes of creatives and figure out how we can get closer to ‘the best pen experience,’” says Kato.
Unmatched pen compatibility is another advantage. It is the first Wacom device that is compatible with both GD* and UD** pens. Some veteran professionals who used to work with pencils and ball-point pens may prefer to work with UD pens because they faithfully reproduce the drawing feel of analog instruments. Thus, Dual Pen technology was adopted to also cover the needs of UD pen users by allowing them to use the pens of their choice for a stress-free, immersive creative experience.
*GD pens: digital pens using GD pen technology where information such as pen pressure is digitized first within the pen and communicated through fluctuating AC magnetic fields to sensors.
**UD pens: digital pens using UD pen technology that communicates information such as pen pressure directly – without digitization – through fluctuating AC magnetic fields to sensors.
Move + Ink: Wacom’s new brand opening up a new horizon for the future of creatives.
The Wacom Movink 13 was borne out of Wacom’s trailblazing efforts. The two engineers heavily involved in the project as ETC members seem to have great confidence in what they achieved – unmatched portability with professional performance.
“Creatives can take their creative pro set-up with them on the go. That’s the beauty of the Wacom Movink 13. With this device by your side, you can immerse yourself in the creative experience anytime and anywhere,” says Kato.
“Movink is coined from the words MOVE and INK. As the name suggests, its focus is on portable use. Wacom Movink should fit seamlessly in all user scenarios – that’s the concept. Why not work on the road when you need a change of scenery after working many hours in one place? Our satisfied customers include professional artists who create with it on flights, high-speed trains, and boats. Such feedback confirms that our dream has become a reality and is being carried out by users. I am very happy with such feedback,” says Obata.
What awaits the Wacom Movink, a newcomer to Wacom’s brand family? Let’s hear Obata’s view on this.
“In the hope of leveraging customer relationships and growing this new brand stronger, Wacom has introduced for the first time a system to collect feedback directly from creatives. This direct communication with creatives should help us to come up with even better products in the future. Our products for professional creatives should ‘keep creatives’ hands moving’, ‘provide a creative environment with minimal distraction’ and ‘unlock new levels of inspiration’. The Wacom Movink 13 is designed for maximum transportability and is essentially there for creatives who want to ride the creative wave when inspiration strikes. With this product, you can really feel Wacom’s vision and ideals,” says Obata.
Our efforts to totally eliminate all unnecessary design elements that could hinder the work of creatives has paid off. The Wacom Movink 13 is an unparalleled portable device dedicated to professional creatives. Imagine what kind of digital artistry will spring up from the hands of creatives now that they have been freed from the constraints of time, place, and space. Isn’t that exciting!
