![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
Xi Zeng delivers a speech “The Pursuit of Innovation and Elegance in Design” at OPPO’s Design in Tech Workshop
Technology permeates our lives and our world revolves around it. From the computers that run the backbone of the global information system to the smartphones that are glued to our hands and faces, technology has left an indelible mark on modern human civilization. Despite its importance, technology is still seen as an independent entity, rather than something that is connected to humans. Technology is synonymous with rapid progress and innovation, but it is possible to create technology that resonates emotionally with humans. Smartphones, for example, are essential to both work and personal life, but some people still consider them simply a “piece of technology” that belongs in the same category as appliances and power tools. It doesn’t have to be that way, and OPPO is trying to break out of that mold by bringing emotions and passion into these devices, using design as a bridge that connects technology and people.
With few exceptions, smartphones and their accessories, such as headphones, are designed and marketed around features and hardware specifications. While the market has focused on these aspects, the reality is that people are more interested in the practical applications of these points.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238585_535_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Renovators 2022 Exhibition at Cromwell Place
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238585_842_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Renovators 2022 Exhibition at Cromwell Place
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_128_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Renovators 2022 Exhibition at Cromwell Place
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_214_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Renovators 2022 Exhibition at Cromwell Place
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_831_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Renovators 2022 Exhibition at Cromwell Place
In setting its own course, OPPO has chosen to focus on making these devices more natural, making them more accessible and understandable from a human perspective. Design is the tool the company uses to make this possible, and the relentless pursuit of elegance is its expression. Here, elegance is not just about beauty or aesthetics, but a more holistic approach that involves the senses and seeks to elevate people’s lives. “Connecting technology to people through art,” as OPPO’s Director of Software Design Xi Zeng succinctly put it. Yanko Design had the opportunity to sit down with Zeng for an interview the day after OPPO’s Design in Tech workshop held in London. Meanwhile, Zeng gave us an insight into OPPO’s corporate philosophy, design process, future roadmap, and overall experience with the OPPO Renovators Emerging Artists program. We even asked him what he thinks of NFTs, to which Zeng replied that it makes sense to keep up with new trends and opportunities, especially given the new wave of creators that OPPO hopes to cater to with their devices.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_996_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO’s Aquamorphic ColorOS 13 features smooth shapes and animations, easy-to-read text, and an abundance of curved lines and soft details.
To achieve this, OPPO took inspiration from the best designer in the world, Mother Nature. To that end, the company has tried to incorporate design elements and principles that bring a natural experience to the devices. For Zeng, the future of technology is to make it indistinguishable from nature. He tried to reduce his use of straight lines in phones like the OPPO Find X5 Pro, opting to use smooth curves that occur more often in nature. He used shapes that remind people of objects in nature, like the look and feel of the real pad of the Enco X2 headphones. With ColorOS 13’s Aquamorphic design language, OPPO has brought the fluidity and flexibility of water to the user interface, creating a fluid experience that is shaped around the user, not the other way around. Zeng referred to Antoni Gaudi as one of his biggest influences, echoing the Catalan architect’s famous words “The straight line belongs to men, the curve to God”. He rightly points out that there are virtually no straight lines or sharp angles in nature…so straight lines and sharp angles are inherent artifacts of man-made objects. To create something that is much more seamless with nature, Zeng believes in embracing curves, given their strong ability to evoke a sense of “natural appreciation” in humans, whether it’s cases curved TWS or the volcano-shaped camera bump on the Find X5 Pro, or even the way the Find N’s hinge design takes on a teardrop shape when closed.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_721_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
The OPPO Enco X2 earphone case does not have a single straight line in its silhouette, paying homage to the visual and tactile comfort of a pebble.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_593_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
A close-up of the teardrop-shaped hinge on the OPPO Find N reveals that nature can inspire technology in unusual ways!
Of course, user interfaces and user experiences won’t stay the same forever, and our “thumb-centric” phones may be supplanted by new technologies in the near future. After all, smartphones aren’t without their flaws, especially when it comes to accessibility issues that prevent people with physical disabilities from enjoying their benefits. Mixed or extended reality, called MR and XR respectively, could pave the way for new, more inclusive experiences, and OPPO is keeping tabs on these technologies. The future of smartphones and computing might not even be physical if technologies like the Metaverse really take hold. Whether he jumps on this bandwagon will largely depend on how well he solves people’s problems rather than a solution looking for a problem. That doesn’t mean the company isn’t already experimenting with cutting-edge technology. To stay one step ahead, OPPO has been experimenting with smart glasses, even teasing them at their annual INNO Day event last year. However, the company remains committed to finding problems worth solving instead of developing solutions to problems that don’t yet exist.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_781_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
Development sketch of OPPO Find X5 Pro’s volcano-shaped camera bump.
This same principle guides OPPO’s design of foldable and rollable phones. More than just showcases of the latest and most innovative designs and technologies, these devices are meant to expand people’s options and inspire their daily lives. It is an example of the appropriate and responsible use of technology to help build a more inclusive society. For example, the foldable OPPO Find N responds to a real desire among phone users to have a device with a bigger screen while being small enough to carry around in their pockets. After testing 26 versions based on 120 models, OPPO’s design team finally decided on a 5.49-inch outer screen and a 7.1-inch inner screen that satisfy both groups of people without excluding anyone, offering a device that is both beautiful and useful for all kinds of users.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_577_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Find N – Foldable phone
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_250_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
OPPO Air Glass
This human-centric design also extends to OPPO’s responsibility to the future of the planet. Just as she is inspired by nature, she is also very aware of the issues that torment her, especially with climate and environmental changes. The company pays close attention to these issues that will affect the future of human development, creating more sustainable and eco-friendly designs that add a bit of humanity to these devices (especially in the nature-centric weather widgets of their ColorOS 13 which act as a constant reminder that the climate is becoming uninhabitable). We even asked Zeng if OPPO was interested in creating “luxury” phones for premium users. Zeng was quick to point out that OPPO’s commitment to creating products that “solve problems” meant there was little need for luxury devices that were simply objects of desire and desire. opulence. “Before creating a premium edition, we need to think about what problems it will solve,” Zeng said. “Showing where you are on the social ladder…it’s not a very high priority for us, and it’s not a good scenario for technology to empower more people”
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666238586_477_OPPO-Design-In-Tech-Making-Tech-More-Nature-Inspired-But-Human-Centered.jpg)
ColorOS 13’s weather widget is a reminder of our impact on the climate and the natural ecosystems affected by it.
Technology does not exist in a vacuum. It is a tool intended to elevate human life but which, until now, has not fully embraced the emotional connection with humanity. OPPO tries to bridge this gap between technology and humanity using design and art, creating products and experiences that not only look more natural, but also feel that way. With Design in Tech, OPPO is trying to look beyond specs and features, putting more emphasis on more human-centric technology for its global users.
Credit: Sarang Sheth contributed to this story.
#OPPO #Design #Tech #Making #Tech #NatureInspired #HumanCentered #Yanko #Design