Amstrad calls on Pentagram and IDEO

This poster, designed by lecturer Eric Kindel, promotes an exhbition at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design on the London Underground map. The show explores `the gallant but doomed attempt by HC Beck to retain control over the design evolution of his own invention’, says Kindel, a research fellow at the college. The exhibition, Harry’s Last Stand, is on until 31 March before touring ten design colleges. Compiled by Ken Garland, it coincides with the publication of Garland’s book, Mr Beck’s Underground Map.

Amstrad has updated two of its product ranges with design input from Pentagram and IDEO.

The UK consumer electronics company has launched a range of advanced cellular phones through Dancall Telecom, the radio communications company it purchased in 1993.

Called the Dancall 6000, the cordless telephone is an upgrade on the Dancall 5000 and incorporates a silent ringing function and an option to answer calls with a recorded message, says IDEO head of industrial design Marc Tanner. “We followed a classic industrial design route and updated the Dancall 6000 to appeal to a European market.”

Pentagram has worked with Amstrad on revamping its PenPad into InfoPad. The hand-held, pen-based computer doubles as a pager. Pentagram has designed the outer casing, incorporating pen storage and a 50 per cent bigger screen, says Pentagram senior designer Peter Foskett.

Launch literature and packaging for the InfoPad has been designed by To The Point.