Owl Labs

Owl Labs

Modular models for CMF selection.

Owl Labs smart devices on table

Overview

Assuring color, material, finish confidence through prototyping.

As Owl Labs designed their new Meeting Owl 4+, they came to Fresco to support their CMF (color, material, finish) decision-making process. We constructed looks-like models with swappable components, enabling comprehensive comparisons of color, finish, fabrics, graphics, and more.

Client

Owl labs

Services

In-House Prototyping
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Industry

Consumer/Commercial Video Hardware
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Three black cylindrical Owl Labs smart 360-degree video conferencing cameras with fabric covers and lens domes on top, placed on a white surface.

A modular prototype experience

Our goal was to help Owl Labs compare different product components, finishes, and graphics. We took a modular approach, designing interchangeable and magnetic model parts so that Owl Labs could easily test and review their options. They could mix and match the different elements to decide which configuration they liked best.

Hand holding a black cylindrical speaker with the brand name 'OUTLIARS' on a metal tag, with two similar gray speakers blurred in the background on a cluttered table.
Four cylindrical smart speaker prototypes with perforated designs on a workshop table with tools and blurred background.

Color, texture & gloss level

We began by creating high-resolution 3D-printed resin parts and painting them in various shades of black. We started with standard colors, and eventually achieved a custom mix that satisfied the client. We applied paint texture to mimic in-mold texture, and then explored different levels of gloss, from matte to satin to high gloss. To accurately simulate button icons and graphics, we used Pantone-accurate ink transfers. Finally, to ensure accurate reproduction of color, texture, and gloss level in manufacturing, we created large flat paint samples.

Three black cylindrical speakers with mesh fabric and control panels showing mute buttons, volume plus and minus buttons, and status LEDs. Below each speaker, zoomed circles highlight different finish types on the speakers labeled Satin, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss, each displaying the OWL LABS logo on a vertical black strip.

CAD for prototyping

Product CAD often has to be rethought when building a prototype, depending on materials and function. CAD with only outer surfaces lacks sufficient detail, while fully detailed CAD assemblies have too much detail for prototyping.

For this project, we simplified and consolidated production CAD to create an assembly suitable for the CMF iteration process. We merged the model into a single solid (removing all internal components) and re-split the model based on how we planned to 3D print, CNC machine, assemble, paint, and create removable elements.

Exploded view diagram of a device showing internal parts labeled as Main Housing, Buttons Module, Mute Indicator Ring, Bottom Housing, Grip Footing, and Screw with an inset highlighting the assembly of these components.