The pandemic has made video conferencing and online classes the norm to such an extent that “Zoom fatigue” has become a real psychological problem for many people of all ages. Despite the frequency of these virtual meetings, however, many of us still come unprepared for many things, especially those that involve things that are written or printed on paper or physical media. Whether it’s a sketch of an idea or a live demonstration of solving a math problem, most of our computing equipment and accessories today aren’t equipped to handle things that don’t exist in our computers or phones. One does not need complex and sophisticated technology to solve this problem, as this simple yet effective webcam concept demonstrates.
Designer: Alex D’Souza
We can always write notes or even make diagrams on our computers, but that doesn’t always work for every scenario. If you’re teaching students or demonstrating what you’ve learned in class, you often need to scribble something live. There may also be times when you need to display notes, photos, or other things that have not yet been digitized. The latter usually involves awkwardly placing your notebook or photo in front of a tall webcam, while the former sometimes requires mounting a contraption that holds a camera or phone up high.
Viu offers a simpler solution that uses intelligent design principles with a little computer vision and computational magic. In short, it’s a webcam on a small stand whose lens faces down at an angle and sees anything you place on a flat surface in front of it. Algorithms straighten the images so that they look as if they were taken by a camera that is facing straight down from a high level. We’ve seen this kind of “document straightening” in many smartphone camera apps, so it’s really a wonder why no one has thought of it yet, much less commercialized the concept.
This webcam concept design also offers something that goes beyond its technical qualities. In terms of design, Viu is diminutive and delightfully minimalistic, so it fits into almost any desk theme or decor. It’s easy to operate, with just two buttons to power on and take a still photo to live video, and it’s small enough to fit in any nook or cranny. Its clean shape doesn’t visually distract you from the task at hand, but there’s also a transparent version to add some flair to your desk if that’s your thing.
The Viu’s simplicity extends to how it’s constructed and laid out inside, with just two boards covered by two outer parts. Because it is easy to manufacture and assemble, the webcam reduces unnecessary components, manufacturing steps and costs. Despite and because of this minimalist aesthetic, the webcam can almost act as a decorative piece on your desk when not in use.
Like an upside-down lamp or robot, Viu’s design is simple yet distinctive, with an almost playful element. The neutral CMF and small footprint make it ideal for any desk, whether busy or clean, filling a need that hasn’t been sufficiently addressed in the months and years since Zooms and Google Meets became a part of many people’s lives and work.
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