Seymour Powell creates computer mouse for Saitek

Seymour Powell has unveiled its latest product design, a computer mouse for computing accessories company Saitek.

The design marks a major change of direction for Saitek into the premium market for computing products, according to the consultancy.

Named Obsidian after the black glass produced by volcanoes, the design of the mouse aims to recreate the feeling of a sea-washed stone held in the palm of a hand. It has an optical sensor and six function buttons, and follows Saitek’s decision to commit to producing a new range of accessories that address the current trend for fully-integrated entertainment systems.

‘It was a challenge to integrate that amount of functionality into such a simple object,’ says Seymour Powell director and team leader Nick Talbot. ‘We wanted to produce a mouse that was simple, instinctive and very comfortable to use, but also sculptural enough for people to be happy to leave it in a non-office environment.’

Saitek launched in 1979 and entered the gaming market in 1993. It produces a range of computing games and gadgets, including the Mephisto chess range, endorsed by Gary Kasparov. The company launched two sets of portable speakers last year (DW 6 October 2006), designed in-house, with guidance from Seymour Powell and acoustic design input by Mission.