The Japanese Essence in ThinkPad: Inden
This June, Lenovo announced the brand new ThinkPad T400s.
Our readers have already gotten a peek at the T400s in our recent articles “The new keyboard -A “Wow” Layout-” and “The new TrackPoint buttons -A mere 0.1 mm, but a definite change-”. These articles covered how we designed the new generation of input devices which will be included in future ThinkPad models including the T400s. The new features include a newly designed keyboard with enlarged Esc and Delete keys, TrackPoint buttons that are 15mm larger, and a Touchpad that grew 30% in size and added Multi-touch functions, all developed with pride and confidence. Of course there are varying opinions, but so far these features have been received very well in tech review articles.
Today, we will cover the new Touchpad and other ThinkPad ingredients that have that unique Yamato influence.
The trademark feature of the new Touchpad is its textured surface. The UV-print texture is applied on top of the traditional Touchpad surface. The sensation is smooth but with a feeling of definition. The texture was inspired by the traditional Japanese handcraft technique known as Inden.
Inden is Japanese lacquer painting applied to deerskin. This technique has a history of more than 300 years. The lacquer patterning is not only made for looks. It also enhances both texture and durability. The durability was so impressive that samurai warriors applied it to the leather in their body-armor and helmets to help protect their gear. It could be said that the demand for aesthetic beauty and functionality is the same for a notebook PC.
Inden designs also carried an interesting cultural significance. One of the popular designs in Inden was the image of dragonflies, traditionally associated with victory because of their speed and constant forward flight. Eventually, they became a symbol of adamancy that Samurai warriors valued heavily.
The T400s Touchpad replicates the beauty and functionality of Inden with modern technology. But because cultural symbolism varies between nations, we had to give up on the dragonfly print for the Touchpad (what a shame).
A new design seldom has one inspiration, and sometimes it takes several. In the article “Touchpad, Tenji, and Tactile Cues” from the “Design Matters” blog, designers talk about taking inspiration from subway paving blocks for the visually impaired. This concept certainly played a large role, since the new flat and seamless design of the palm rest and Touchpad had to be distinguishable to users through texture. These paving block designs, come to think of it, come from Japan as well.
Of course, the ThinkPad is targeted for the global market, so we don’t intentionally enforce the Japanese culture as part of its design. But when I look closely at my own ThinkPad, it’s not difficult to spot traces of our culture. And once in a while, our cultural background comes in handy in the process of development.
For more stories on “Japanese Essence in ThinkPad”, please remember to check our future articles.
July 10th, 2009 at 16:15
Thanks! This was interesting read.
July 10th, 2009 at 17:46
Very interesting indeed, I am looking forward to reading more about it.
I love the new design, I hope you will keep the good job on by the time I renew my T61.
July 10th, 2009 at 23:17
Backlit keyboards in sight?
July 12th, 2009 at 04:05
>> so we don’t intentionally enforce the Japanese culture as part of its design< thinkpad S30
thinkpads have been consistent over the years by retaining the look and feel from the 700 series through the newest T400, et al..
evolution not revolution..
its one reason i have always remained a loyal thinkpad user AND an SL series mercedes driver..
evolution not revolution..
Bill Morrow
July 12th, 2009 at 04:11
it seems my comment was truncated in error..
it should have been:
>> so we don’t intentionally enforce the Japanese culture as part of its design< thinkpad S30
thinkpads have been consistent over the years by retaining the look and feel from the 700 series through the newest T400, et al..
evolution not revolution..
its one reason i have always remained a loyal thinkpad user AND an SL series mercedes driver..
evolution not revolution..
Bill Morrow
July 12th, 2009 at 04:13
maybe something is wrong, here is the comment for the thrid and last time, with a change:
>> so we don’t intentionally enforce the Japanese culture as part of its design<<
i think you have been wildly successful in your design, over the years..
bento box = thinkpad S30
thinkpads have been consistent over the years by retaining the look and feel from the 700 series through the newest T400, et al..
evolution not revolution..
its one reason i have always remained a loyal thinkpad user AND an SL series mercedes driver..
evolution not revolution..
Bill Morrow
July 13th, 2009 at 08:42
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November 11th, 2009 at 04:24
Thanks for this cool informations.
November 29th, 2009 at 22:29
There is one major flaw with the new touchpad:
The friction of this pad is simply too high, and any slight amount of moisture makes the friction increase massively.
Once your fingers become sweaty (try using it here in Australia) the friction increases greatly and it becomes tiring to move your fingers on the pad.
I believe this is due to the material with the ‘bumps’.
A big mistake for the design team I think. Get out of the air conditioned office next time!