Our vision for the Nought.One was a state-of-the-art electric scooter built for sustainable urban travel. From the super smooth ride, to top spec indicators and brake lights, we wanted to give the modern urban rider everything they need to travel fast, light, smart, and safe.
To help us bring our vision to life, we turned to the London-based design agency, Beta Design Office. They’re a multidisciplinary studio that helps clients push boundaries of new product innovation.
We chatted with the founders to hear more about the process behind the design of our flagship e-scooter and the work that’s gone into creating a zero-emissions, compact, lightweight, and powerful ride for urban use.
Here’s what they had to say about all things electric scooter design…
Q: How did you approach the design process for the Nought.One?
A: We started by understanding the user – a fundamental process in any project we undertake. We analysed and deconstructed competitor products to fully immerse ourselves in the world of electric mobility. This discovery phase guided our early ideation and helped us shape the key USP’s which formed the basis of the project. From here we took our concepts through into prototyping, user testing, evaluation and refinement.
Q: What makes the Nought.One unique?
A: We designed the scooter to integrate seamlessly into everyday life. It’s been developed from the ground up. Tight corridors, shopping aisles and ticket barriers are simple to navigate through a unique folding mechanism, allowing it to be wheeled around on its end and stored upright with the smallest possible footprint. We created an electric scooter design with a unique style language with a colour palette that really stands out, a bespoke user interface and a functionally-driven design.
Other key features include an engineered kickstand to ensure stable parking, and removable batteries to extend range and make charging easier. With new legislation about to come out, we also prioritised adding safety features like bar mounted indicators, headlight, brake lights and powerful front and rear hub brakes to give the rider more reassurance on the road.
Q: Where did you get inspiration for the design?
A: We looked at a lot of electric vehicles that are understated and use a coherent design language, moving away from the bolt-on aesthetic typically associated with personal mobility products. A great example of understated electric vehicle design is the Honda E. We wanted to create a design language that’s fun and engaging, integrating seamlessly into peoples’ lives and giving a timeless quality.
Q: What do you aim to achieve when designing products?
A: Products that stand the test of time. As a company we strive to deliver products that the user becomes emotionally attached to and are mechanically sound for years to come. We believe if we can achieve these principles in our designs then there is a better chance of moving towards a more sustainable future.
Q: What’s your view on sustainability and the future of product design?
A: Sustainability is inherently built into our design philosophy. As designers, we’re responsible for the products which we create, therefore we have a social conscience to work on the right projects that benefit the user and the environment. Organisations like Design Declares are helping initiate important conversations around sustainability within our industry.
- Designers, if you’re ever looking for a sustainable toolkit to reference in your design process check out Design Declares.
Q: How do you think electric scooter design will evolve?
A: Well, they’ll definitely become more accessible, safer, lighter, and more accepted in busy city life. Overall, design will play a pivotal role in shaping how personal mobility will compliment users' day to day lives.
Q: Can you give us any insight into what’s coming next for Nought?
A: We’re working on a range of design-driven accessories to complement the Nought.One, making the journey as easy as possible.
Learn more about Beta, their design process and projects in their recent Studio Session with Design Burger.
