The Creation of the Microsoft Mouse with Steve Kaneko - Part 1

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Steve Kaneko, a pivotal figure behind the design of the Microsoft Mouse 2.0, a product so significant it earned a place in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. Steve takes us back to 1993 when Microsoft decided to invest more seriously in input devices to better enable its Windows franchise, creating their first in-house designed mouse that would set new standards in design and usability. He shares the initial challenges of this groundbreaking project, from reducing costs to transitioning from a mechanical to an optomechanical encoder to enhance reliability and performance.

Steve delves into the introduction of a new visual design language and walks us through the intricate design process of the Microsoft Mouse 2.0. He explores the crucial role of design in both hardware and software development, shedding light on how biomechanics, kinesiology, and ergonomics influenced their approach. Steve emphasizes the importance of ergonomic design in product signals and discusses how these factors interplay with both software and hardware usability. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of technology, design, and user experience that shaped one of Microsoft's most iconic products.

 

Join us as we shape the future of design by learning from the past.

 

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Hosts: Albert Shum and Thamer Abanami

Production and Post-production: Romina Hakim, Toño Tellez and Poonam Patel

Music: Red Lips Media LLC

Brand Design: Rafael Poloni