Combining the best of two worlds.

GX6

outdoor smartphone

The Challenge

Develop Gigaset's overarching design strategy and corresponding design language for their newly introduced outdoor smartphone product portfolio and design a new member for their outdoor family: an elegant yet robust consumer device tailored to the needs of active users.

The Solution

The GX6 seamlessly merges the best of both worlds, catering to individuals with active lifestyles. It exudes style and elegance while incorporating subtle rugged design elements that ensure durability and resilience.

The outdoor market

The rugged smartphone market incorporates two sub-categories: The consumer-rugged smartphones are consumer-oriented, offering robustness while preserving key characteristics of conventional smartphones. Ultra-rugged smartphones, on the other hand, are purpose-built for industrial use and to withstand extremely harsh conditions. Both of these segments are expected to see continued growth. The GX6 stands out by targeting the first group, combining robust features with a stylish design.

Our strategic approach

When our longtime client Gigaset approached us at the start of the development of their new outdoor smartphone products, it was key to first build a solid design-strategic foundation and design language that both reflects the heritage of the classic German brand paired with the needs of the active and rugged target market.
Together with the Gigaset team, we defined a strategy for design expression that does justice to both ends of the spectrum.

The product design

This way, we ensured that any design direction chosen would be well-suited for a product that must endure extreme conditions, while also remaining instantly recognizable. Furthermore, we integrated the ideal balance of aesthetics and elegance, setting Gigaset's outdoor devices apart from others in the market.

One of the core design elements we introduced was the "Signature Circular Element" on the back of the phones, a pivotal feature with historical significance for the Gigaset brand. The copper ring on the back accentuates this element, highlighting the camera lenses and the flash light.

The GX6 is a compact, robust, and weather-resistant device, built to withstand water, dust, and shocks. Its back panel features a subtle dotted pattern that not only enhances grip and durability but also adds an extra touch of sophistication.

The GX6 has been awarded with the Plus X Award.

Working with FLUID on this ambitious project, seeing how the design and product character developed, has been a very rewarding adventure.

Armin P. Kanani

Head of Design, Gigaset Communications

Highlights & Capabilities

Reflecting Gigaset's heritage.

The origin of the “Circular Signature Element” on the back can be found in Gigaset's heritage and echoes the brand's most traditional products: the desktop phones. Their circular shape in mind, we designed this pivotal element to reflect Gigaset's roots and serve as a housing for camera lenses, flash and sensors.

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The new outdoor product family.

Based on the Gigaset design language principles, the GX6 has become a clear member of the Gigaset brand, its new outdoor product family, within which it clearly represents a rugged yet stylish device for demanding environments.

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