Littelfuse products are vital components in virtually every market that uses electrical energy, from consumer electronics to automobiles, commercial vehicles and industrial equipment. For this program, Beyond developed a visual brand language that includes distinguishing design characteristics as well as interface options for three circuit protection products. Our design concepts had to allow for future expansion and technology evolution.

Through our Strategic Design Process (SDP), we implemented larger displays and presented a modular functionality expansion. We identified functions most used by customers and explored opportunities to accentuate those on the faceplate.  The consistent design provides familiarity and the same mental model for operating different Littelfuse products through association. This is beneficial if you are the building caretaker or maintenance person looking at multiple fuse relays. The consistency helps make the interaction more intuitive.

The final design strategy developed for Littelfuse provides product development guidelines for all product categories and future development. Designers explored character definition, color, finish and materials, aesthetics, form factors, logo, graphics, and the user interface. Our client had recently acquired another company, Selco, who focused on generator control and protection products in marine, offshore, and land-based applications. With Littelfuse continuing to acquire a number of different companies, developing a consistent language was essential so that their current/future products and new portfolio acquisitions would be in line.

The style guide and new interface design helped to differentiate Littelfuse products from the competition and build brand recognition. It created a uniform, high-tech appearance for all products going forward and a design platform to facilitate integration of acquired products into the Littelfuse line. Through discussions with the Littelfuse team, Beyond was able to capture the key attributes for each of the product categories and explored iconic character definition that would transcend to all product categories as well as future products that will be added to the Littelfuse portfolio.

By translating our client’s existing product line into one standardized set of guidelines, we provided clear distinction in the market and a template for all product designs moving forward.