ZEN Design
Looking deep into meaningful design
As the team cooperated, people introduced more of their own conceptualizations into the process. While timepieces were important, new influences were merged, such as straight and silky-smooth hair, which helps explain the hairline texture of the metal finish. And it was quickly decided that ZENBOOK should have a slightly reflective veneer, since it’s supposed to reflect the people who use it, its era, and place in the world.
ZEN Design
Always time for art
The idea of referring to hand-made luxury watches existed for a long time in the mind of ZENBOOK designer Loewy Chen. Designing a high end and ultra-thin ultrabook was the perfect chance to put these ideas to practice. ZENBOOK edges resemble the minute and hour hands of a watch. Time itself plays a very important role in Zen as a balancing force, which means everything is nothing yet all exists in its right time.
ZEN Design
Discussions and considerations
The touchpad was designed bigger than on other portable PCs, and matches the 16:9 proportions of the screen. This allows more intuitive usage and better distance gauging. The team was also going for a seamless and smooth look, with an embedded keyboard and integrated touchpad that would be roomy despite the overall compact form factor of the machine. Keeping the proportions just right was critical.
ZEN Design
Discussions and considerations
Angular harmony was another highlight of the design process. ZENBOOK had to have a sharp culminating point on one end, and a rounded, smooth curve on the other. Designers even paid close attention to the underside, which for the first time ever on a notebook gets the same aluminum hairline treatment as the rest of the machine.