A HUGE LITTLE CHANGE

Thank you for meeting us. First, could you give us a brief overview
of the new Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5, how it was developed
and how it progressed? The biggest change I see is the size.
A 5.7inch display screen with a bezel that is noticeably thinner.

Tablet size devices (smart devices
with 5 inch or larger screens) are
a global trend.

To appeal to this need as well as adhere to the
unique visual language of the entire Galaxy line
was of utmost importance for us. Our visual
theme for 2015 is a future-forward minimalist
look & feel based on perfecting the relationship
between design and technology, in short Minimal
Futurism. Having said that, it was equally
important to have each device stand out on it’s
own, in line with this design approach. Both
products retain a strong fluid contour from
the curved glass to the body, and as you
mentioned, we streamlined the device for
a sleeker compact feel.

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Although the screen size is the same,
both of these devices have their own
unique feel. I don’t quite know how to say it,
is it the weight, the grip… could you tell us
more about these two products?

The approach for both devices was to
maintain the overall visual language,
but to build on that foundation.

The wider curved glass of the S6 Edge+ allows
a more immersive digital interactive experience.
For users who use the device for entertainment
or multi-media will quickly warm up to this new
feature. The Note 5 however, takes on a more
formal look, the curvature of the display contin-
ues on to the reverse side for a better grip,
while the S-pen is now in metal to coincide with
the device itself. Also, as soon as you pop out
the S-pen you’ll immediately see it’s been totally
re-designed to assist you in all your creative
activities.

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The bezel on both devices are noticeably thinner,
almost as if the frame has disappeared.

A thinner device is fast becoming
the norm,

especially with the S6 Edge+ the curved glass
seemingly overlaps the surroundings, like a cut
out of reality. The original form is the same with
a slightly thin top and bottom finish to make it
look even thinner than it already is.

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Black Sapphire, White Pearl, Gold Platinum, and now Platinum Silver has
been added to colors to choose from, after actually seeing it, the color is
much deeper and richer than originally anticipated.

Thank you for noticing,

like the previous colors, this selection also has
slight variations in hue and saturation according
to how the light hits it. Giving it a richer look that
will appeal to the urban city dwellers constantly
interacting with their device.

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The metal and glass combination was quite natural.
It’s nice to see that look has been carried over to
these new models as well.

When you handle the device,

you feel the density of the lines and curves that
join the glass and metal into a seamless whole,
the device itself feels well constructed and well
crafted. That’s the feeling we wanted to convey,
a reliable device, exquisitely designed.

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CHANGES FOR YOU BY YOU OF YOU

Beyond the exterior,
what other things should we
know about the newest models?

There have been big and small
changes to the experience of
the user.

Detailed changes have been made to the
elements of the screen, as the size has increased
things needed to be organized and spaced
differently, as well as adjusting the keyboards,
loading bar etc. As minute as this may sound,
we underwent many revisions on a millimeter
scale moving elements around ever so slightly
to get that perfect position suitable for the user.
We’re confident that although you may not
notice these changes at first, once you start
getting accustomed to the new model,
you’ll notice the difference.

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The biggest changes I can see are the icons.
The icons seem to all have a shape that is between
a circle and a square. Is there a reason for that?

Yes, we call them squarcles!

Obviously a word combining circle and square,
this unique shape for the container of each
icon is unique to Samsung devices and
maximizes the touch zone without increasing
in size, an intuitive yet innovative way to
convey consistency in our user design.

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This was introduced at the launch of the
new models, the S-pen has a new innovation,
you can use it to write down things
even though the screen is off.

That’s the screen off memo feature,
without turning on the screen
you can use the S-pen to write
down quick ideas or thoughts.

For this, we needed a smooth interactive function
that would notify the user that the screen off
memo feature was activated when detracting the
pen from the holder. That’s because frankly, it’s
not common to write or sketch on a blank dark
screen without any indication of what you’re
doing. A tiny ink ‘plop’ will appear when you
detach the pen signifying that the function has
been activated, while other basic function icons
will appear, only muted. Once you’ve finished and
have saved the memo, the writing itself will shrink
away leaving you with a blank screen.

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As cute as that seems, it’s an ingenious
way of solving a difficult issue
with visual interaction.

To get to this small interaction took
us numerous other ideas and actions,

this is a prime example of all the many visual
interactions and well as iterations we went
through to get to the device you hold in
your hands.

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I’m curious to know how you maintained consistency
among all those different kinds of visual interactions.

Like the screen off memo function,
the overall concept was for the
interactions to be fluid.

Another example of this is the change in the Air
Command interface; from a geometric, almost
rigid feel to a rippling effect as the various icons
‘plop’ out onto the screen.

With the S6 Edge+ visual interaction you can
share content and thoughts with close friends;
specifically, the camera and emoticon also have
that fluid intuitive interaction ‘feel’. Inertia,
elasticity, flow are all natural movements we see
that should look and feel natural when emulated
on the screen. The actions themselves are
calculated mathematically and applied to
complex physics models but for the users it's
a natural reaction that is accepted immediately.

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