http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/labnotes/index/ en edward.scherf@enhancedlabs.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-07T20:05:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/enhancing_orbicules_macnification/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/enhancing_orbicules_macnification/#When:19:05:00Z Enhanced Labs got the opportunity to work with the creative minds behind Orbicule, the makers of “Undercover”, on their newest endeavor - “Magnification”. A few months ago, the creative minds behind the great laptop security application, Undercover, contracted Enhanced Labs to design the icons and user-interface elements for their newest endeavor - Macnification. This groundbreaking application allows users to organize, edit, analyze, and annotate microscopic images with simplicity and ease. Embracing the new features, visual effects, and capabilities of Leopard, Macnification molds a perfect combination of function and eye-pleasing usability. Challenge: Orbicule needed 1.) an application icon that was purposeful and elegant, that could also be used as it’s identity for print media, documentation, etc; 2.) Toolbar icons that illustrated, in some instances, medical functions that we had never heard of; and 3.) a powerful user-interface that captivated the user, but was still highly functional for it’s professional users. Solution: We first defined our color scheme, drawing inspiration from Apple’s default Leopard wallpaper, “Aurora.” We felt that this had an elegant professionalism about it and would be something to help these icons stick out in the crowd. It then came time to design the application icon. For this we wanted to keep it simple and purpose driven. A small stack of medical images accompanied by a wooden ruler for analyzing, and a objective lens from a microscope created a great combination allowing us to play with color and throw some eye candy in there for use at larger sizes. We really like how it turned out. Then it came time for the toolbar icons. There were multiple toolbars that would be displayed during different functions of the application, as well as a full screen editing mode. We worked closely with the developers as in some instances, terms and processes where out of our realm of knowledge. After some hard work we all felt they turned out great in the end. During development we saw some drastic changes in the aesthetics of the UI. We provided guidance and graphical elements to help bring a professional yet usable aesthetic to the application. The best part was seeing the application evolve from basic wire-framing objects to a full-blown UI. We really enjoyed it. Closing Remarks: We think the design and development of the application was a great success and we hope that Apple will feel the same as Orbicule goes on the hunt for an Apple Design Award. Be sure to check out the larger previews in the Enhanced Labs Showroom. 2008-05-07T19:05:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/microsoft_office_2008/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/microsoft_office_2008/#When:19:30:01Z The team takes a look at one of the biggest projects in Enhanced Labs history. Since December 2006 two of Enhanced Labs’ senior designers, Jonas Rask and Philipp Antoni, have been conducting lab work on one of the biggest projects in Enhanced Labs history. Hundreds of graphics were created for the long-awaited, latest version of the hugely popular application, including every imaginable icon size as well as myriads of miscellaneous UI elements. In very close collaboration with Han-yi Shaw, User Experience Lead Program Manager at MacBU, Enhanced Labs provided hundreds of cutting edge interface graphics that reflected the creative direction and visual language of the newest Office 2008 product. The challenges of creating this new version of Microsoft Office for Mac were as broad as they were multiple. Since Office 2004 was released there had been a huge progression in the quality of OS X interface graphics.  While keeping a distinct individual feel throughout the entire load of graphics needed for Office 2008, we constantly tried to one-up the expectations for great graphics on the Macintosh platform.  The result of our collaborative efforts is the most attractive, intuitive, and innovative version of Office for Mac to date. Now let’s all go out and buy Office ‘08 because it’s super-awesome and has our artwork! News 2008-01-15T19:30:01-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/macworld_2008/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/macworld_2008/#When:20:58:00Z An inside look into Macworld 2008 with Enhanced Labs. Tickets have been purchased, and we are all excited to be at Macworld 2008 to see the launch of Microsoft Office Mac 2008. Accompanying us on the trip is the CEO of csnglobal, Chris Nielsen. We are looking forward to what apple may reveal in the coming days. Monday, Jan 14th, we will be attending “A Day at the Office: Microsoft Office 2008”. We’ll keep you all posted! Day 1 Update: We sat in on the revealing of Microsoft Office 2008 :mac; which was well accepted by the crowd. Later we connected with Microsoft and made plans for dinner mid-week. That night we met up with MetaLab, Phill Ryu, and Mike Matas, and a few members from our team. There was a heated discussion on the morality of the MacHeist Project by a few individuals. A few left mad. The dinner itself was alright.. Steve Jobs keynote is tomorrow and we’re excited to see what apple is going to unveil. Day 2 Update: Standing in line outside the Moscone Center: West Hall in 44F weather at 4:30am isn’t exactly the most comfortable environment; but it was so worth it. I met up with the guys from the team; Luke Seeley, and Andrea from Doseido. Doors finally opened at 8:00am (4 hours later) and we all piled up inside to stand for another hour and a half. Finally we get inside the room where the grand-pooba Steve Jobs delivers his keynote. Apple announced various updates to the iphone, ipod touch, itunes, and the apple tv. The main focus of the whole keynote was the announcement of the new Macbook Air. The Macbook air i’d say is quite impressive. Its thin enough to fit inside of an 8x11 envelope, faster than most laptops in its class. Only downside is that they’re phasing out the optical disc drive. I do believe eventually one day they’ll go away; but i think its much too soon to start the slow phase out process. We later attended the Microsoft Blast Party. All I have to say is “dang there are a lot of people here!”. Day 3 Update: Today we all gathered back at the south hall and met with various software and hardware vendors. We ran into so many people I don’t even remember them all. I met Jasper Hauser, and Jorn Dijk from MadeBySofa. We also dropped by the Panic booth and chatted with Cabel from Panic. Later we ran into Cali Lewis from Geek Brief TV and watched behind the scenes as they shot their latest episode. Patrick Nortan stopped by for an interview. Around 7pm we met up with the MacBU and had dinner at XYZ - the food was great. Quickly after, we ran over to the Delicious Generation Party “The biggest party of macworld”. This was an interesting party. A lot of key people made their appearances. The party was catered. We all were talking inside a nice, warm building; and then all of a sudden everyone decides to go to “another party” which appeared to be outside (in the cold) of the same building. I spoke with a few people and then headed out. Blogging 2008-01-14T20:58:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/the_new_enhanced_labs/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/the_new_enhanced_labs/#When:23:23:00Z About the new Enhanced Labs We are proud to announce after nearly a year of hard work; the new version of Enhanced Labs is finally live! As the weeks progress we will continue to rollout new features of the Enhanced Labs website. Things to take note of: 1) Labnotes We now have a blog called Labnotes. Here you will find out inside information the projects we’re working on, tutorials and random observations from some of the lead designers in our firms. 2) Showroom Our showroom has been redesigned from the ground up. See our latest designs in a more fluid motion. 3) Downloads - Be apart of the Enhanced Labs community and give feedback on some of our latest downloads. 4) Coming Soon - We will soon have a client login area for all of you who want to take a look at your past/most recently ordered design work. We’ll keep you posted on this as soon as its live. 2008-01-09T23:23:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/ekisho/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/ekisho/#When:20:24:00Z Jonas Rask, releases his latest icon set Ekisho. This icon set comes packed with many high quality OS X icon replacements. Head over to his site to download it! A brand new edition of the Ekisho system Replacement set. The package includes new folder designs with the more Aqua’ish colorscheme. Also in the package are new Hardrive icons as well as a new optimized trash icon. 2006-12-25T20:24:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/the_real_christmas_05_reloaded/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/the_real_christmas_05_reloaded/#When:17:32:00Z A Christmas gift from Enhanced Labs. As a christmas Gift from Enhanced Labs, We decided to Add 7 Bonus Icons to the package, and Re-Release this icon set on christmas day. This icon set now includes 20 holiday icons. 2005-12-25T17:32:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/radium_drives/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/radium_drives/#When:01:54:00Z Mike releases an experiment; Classic iMac shaped HD Icons. Radium Drives are very unique. I’ve been wanting to design a rounded drive icon set for a while and this is finally it. To some it looks like an Apple airport. To others, a iMac G4 base. To me, five beautifully designed rounded drives. 2005-07-07T01:54:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/ess_drives_summer_05/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/ess_drives_summer_05/#When:03:07:00Z Part of the Essentials. Five custom drives.  After months of development and tweaking, The ESS Drives (summer ‘05 Release) is complete. The ESS Drives are part of “The Essentials” and includes five beautifully designed drives. 2005-06-09T03:07:00-05:00 http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/mac_mini_icons/ http://enhancedlabs.com/index.php/site/mac_mini_icons/#When:04:10:00Z Three Apple Mac Mini Computer icons. After Apple’s release of the Mac Mini, I felt inspired to create this set. There are several variants of this icon at different angles. The Front with and without the CD, and the Rear View. 2005-04-13T04:10:00-05:00