Pentagram and Map have got down to show that computer hardware does not need to be “chilly, darkish containers”, by designing vibrant merchandise for machine-learning know-how startup Graphcore.
The two design businesses have collaborated on the economic design of Graphcore’s artificial-intelligence chip system, which helps velocity up the method and resource-intensive deployment of AI.
This contains an clever processing unit (IPU) – the corporate’s personal model of a central processing unit – and the rackmount chassis that comprises it.
Pentagram and Map have collaborated on the economic design of Graphcore’s artificial-intelligence chip systemLondon-based Pentagram companions Luke Powell and Jody Hudson-Powell had already developed a visible identity for the model, which features a pixelated typeface and a bespoke software program device referred to as Quadtree that’s used to generate distinctive geometric patterns.
They enlisted London studio Map to assist rework this right into a bodily design, in a position to characterize individuality and “the potential for change”.
Their purpose was to create an alternative choice to “nameless” computer programs, which generally “dwell in chilly, darkish containers in even colder, darkened rooms”.
Graphcore’s clever processing unit (IPU) is product of a system of modular tiles that may be assembled in varied methodsPentagram’s design consisted of a collection of vibrant modular tiles that may be assembled in varied methods.
Map translated these components right into a customisable panel system made up of over 50 distinctive injection-moulded plastic tiles, utilizing the Quadtree system to generate patterns, layouts and colors for new tiles.
The design additionally contains the rackmount chassis that comprises the IPUThe design company utilized 9 of those tiles to every Graphcore IPU, permitting for greater than 1,000 distinctive mixtures, in flip granting every unit with its personal distinct identity.
Each tile is colored in Graphcore’s attribute palette of navy, gentle blue, pink and pale yellow.
The entrance face design of the rackmount chassis makes use of patterns from Graphcore’s visible identity as openings for air flow”Affording this a lot time and care on the aesthetic of a product that largely goes unnoticed inside bigger computer programs is uncommon,” mentioned the design group.
“However, Graphcore’s IPU is a novel breakthrough know-how, and it is necessary that the launch merchandise displays this.”
Pentagram creates ever-evolving model identity for tech firm Cytora
The entrance face design of the rackmount chassis, which is designed to attach eight IPUs collectively in a system, makes use of patterns from Graphcore’s visible identity as openings for air flow, and clip-on branded particulars can be connected onto the airflow grid so as to add additional personalisation.
The purpose was to create an alternative choice to “nameless” computer programs, which generally “dwell in chilly darkish containers in even colder darkened rooms”This is just not the primary time Pentagram has created a brand new branding for a tech firm – the agency gave insurance coverage tech firm Cytora an animated visible identity that goals to demystify how the enterprise works.
To replicate the ever-changing high quality of Cytora’s artificial-intelligence-powered threat engine, Pentagram used visualisations based mostly on these algorithms to make the corporate a model identity, which characteristic continually shifting blocks layered with pastel and shiny colors.
https://www.dezeen.com/2018/11/26/graphcore-pentagram-map-computer-hardware-ai/
