IDEO

IDEO started in 1991 when David Kelley design merged with two companies. Kelley, whose company as larger than other two combined, took over as chief executive of the new firm. In the late 1990s, IDEO employed over 30 staff and maintained design centers around the world. Although revenue was only $40,000 in 1991, they increased the revenue of company to $40-$50 million in 1996. IDEO’s product development process followed several phases. But despite the phases delineated, IDEO had mixed feelings about formalizing any aspect of innovative process. Palm used IDEO to fulfill Hawkins’ vision. Within IDEO, the choice of project leader fell naturally to Dennis Boyle, a senior project leader and studio manager who had left his mark on the company with a stream of successful products and the institution of Tech Box. Boyle’s team outlined plans for a slimmer, sleeker version of the existing palm pilot. By May 1997, conceptualization and realization of the Palm V project gave way to Phase II. This stage involved computer-aided design (CAD) engineering to help create accurate industrial models resembling the proposed end product. By end of Phase IV, implementation and expected late fall 1998, “Razor” would be released to production. The palm division planned to retain some IDEO personnel for another 6 months- the amount of time projected for gearing up for market release in February 1999. In summer 1998, handspring project starts at IDEO when Jeff Hawkins asks Dennis Boyle for a proposal for proposed handheld computing device with revolutionary “Springboard” slot. And in October, 19 shipment was planned for Christmas shopping season.