- Let me go back to the shape. I guess it must be difficult to redesign the user interface in the new body shape. Could you tell me the concept for the user interface (UI) as well as the process to boil it down?
[ Mr. Yamaki ]
The UI including the LCD menu was designed by Moriyuki. Even though he had just married, he was working on it even on weekends.
- Sounds like someone is exploiting him... (laughs)
[ Mr. Yamaki ]
No! I didn’t mean to… (laugh)
[ Mr. Kono ]
It's not "even though he had just married," but he married in the busiest time. (laugh)
- Ha ha ha. I think it's difficult to design the UI, but what was the top priority in developing it?
[ Mr. Moriyuki ] (finally arrived)
I think the dp is meant to be used to "face photography" rather than to have many functions. Our job is to meet the expectation in an appropriate manner, or without being eccentric to get attention. What I pursued was the one that smoothifies our customers' creative work.
- I guess you hear different opinions while testing products inside and outside the company. How do you work out the differences? I suppose a designer has a basic principles...
[ Mr. Moriyuki ]
Basically, this camera isn't like a so-called compact digital cameras, but an advanced camera like SLR which is targeted to the professionals and high-amateurs. Still, I was aware of other levels of users, and it's difficult to find a balance between different targets.
- The dp2 Quattro has two dials. Handling feel of a camera drastically changes with the click feel or a dial or a torque feel of a focus ring. How did you finalize them?
[ Mr. Moriyuki ]
First, I make many prototypes by referring to our in-house standards and know-how, and show it to Yamaki as well. We've been aware of the dial feel since the DP2 Merrill and often been discussing it. This time, it has two dials, and we did our best of best. However, while the Japanese and the Americans like soft feeling of a part that is touched by fingers, the European people (the Germans, in particular) like solid feeling. So, we didn't stick to Japan, and simulated a wider variety of users' profiles.
- I see. I guess you had many ideas for the shape including the grip. Didn't anyone point out the contradiction or conflict within a compact camera that can't go into the pocket?
[ Mr. Moriyuki ]
Some people said it's not good and I consulted Yamaki. He seemed to have a hard time deciding it, but even so, we decided to stick to our top priority.
Mr. Hiroto Moriyuki, Subsection Chief, Design Section, Product Planning.
No wonder he can't sync. his marriage schedule with the company's release schedule!
- I guess there must have been twists and turns before you arrived at this body shape. I know it's hard to assign version numbers, but which version is it?
[ Mr. Moriyuki ]
Well, the layout was determined after many twists and turns, and we chose the last-surviving one. It's difficult to call the version, but we spent about 6 months to settle the design.
- I'd like to ask you about the menu on the LCD. I wonder if the camera's menu should be affected by the popularization of smartphones. What are you thoughts on this?
[ Mr. Moriyuki ]
First, I think the LCD is outdated because smartphones' LCDs have higher definition. However, I must also realize smooth controlling because I'm designing a camera. So, I personally don't think everything should be like smartphones.
[ Mr. Yamaki ]
We wanted this camera to demonstrate the maximum capacity of the new sensor. So, except the shape, we designed it to be as standard as possible so that photographers can use it without feeling uncomfortable. But, it would be interesting if we redesign the UI for cameras. For example, Apple products are wonderful because they care about comfortable feeling in using, even though it may not be necessary. However, the device in the camera is meant for taking photography. So, it doesn't include the powerful graphic device. Instead, it only has a powerful image processing device. Of course, if the hardware's performance is improved, there may be an extra space for additional features. So, I hope I can do something interesting as we develop better devices in the future.
