Acer

Executive Creative Director

// Sustainability, Futures // Pitch // Product Design, Product Development, Sustainability, Product Marketing, Product Film, Product Photography; Brand, Social, Storytelling,

acer

// Aspire Vero

2020—2022

Responsibilities

Acer, a long-standing client at DesignIt and Rational, entrusted us with an inspiring project that went beyond traditional brand storytelling and product marketing. Tasked with designing a product that would significantly reduce Acer’s carbon footprint, we set out to create something that would embody Acer’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Working closely with Acer, we crafted a product that not only visually expressed their dedication to a greener future but also actively contributed to the company's sustainability goals—paving the way for a new era of environmentally conscious design.

context

Acer wanted to set a new standard in sustainable innovation, demanding a design that would resonate with consumers who prioritize environmental responsibility and also embody Acer’s proactive approach to reducing ecological impact. This wasn’t just about a single product—it was a call to transform Acer’s ethos into a physical experience, something that could demonstrate their belief in building a more sustainable future.

At the heart of this project was a deep rethinking of the product lifecycle. Acer wanted us to explore every aspect of how the product would be designed, manufactured, packaged, used, maintained, and ultimately, responsibly recycled. It was about embedding sustainability into the very DNA of the product, starting from the selection of eco-friendly materials to manufacturing processes that minimized waste and energy consumption. This commitment extended to packaging, where we reduced plastic usage and incorporated recyclable materials to lessen the environmental footprint from the outset.

An eco-friendly product Challenge

Acer presented us with a unique challenge: to create a product that would not only reflect their commitment to sustainability but would redefine how technology fits into an environmentally conscious world.

Acer emphasized that sustainability should not end with production; it must flow into the experience of owning and maintaining the product. With this in mind, we designed a device that was both durable and repairable, making it easier for users to replace or upgrade parts rather than dispose of the entire product. This approach would allow consumers to extend the life of the product significantly, reducing the frequency of replacement and ultimately decreasing waste.

Finally, we tackled end-of-life considerations, ensuring that the product could be disassembled and recycled with minimal effort. Acer’s goal was to make recycling intuitive and accessible, facilitating the separation of materials so that valuable components could re-enter the production cycle with minimal waste. By designing with this comprehensive lifecycle approach, we created a product that was a living testament to Acer’s vision: a piece of technology that embraced sustainability at every stage, challenging the industry to rethink what it means to build, own, and responsibly retire electronic devices.

Solution

The Acer Aspire Vero embodies Acer’s commitment to addressing ecological challenges in the PC industry through an innovative, sustainable design. Every stage of the Aspire Vero’s lifecycle was rethought to meet sustainability goals, from eco-conscious product design and resource-efficient manufacturing to thoughtful packaging, consumer use, and end-of-life recycling.

The laptop’s case and keyboard are crafted from recycled plastics, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. To simplify repairs and upgrades, standard screws were used, making disassembly straightforward. The Vero’s design features subtle yellow accents within a grey housing, visually underscoring the laptop’s ecological values.

Recognizing that sustainability extends beyond production, Acer also prioritized the Aspire Vero’s longevity. The device was designed to be easily disassembled, facilitating repairs and upgrades and thus extending its lifespan. This approach not only minimizes waste but also supports a more circular lifecycle, ensuring the Vero’s components can continue to serve users responsibly for years to come.

Sustainability in Every Detail
Our team’s innovative design approach raised PCR integration by 33%, resulting in nearly half of the plastic in the Aspire Vero’s body coming from post-consumer waste. This was not only a design decision but also a step toward a more sustainable future for consumer electronics. By reducing reliance on virgin plastics, Aspire Vero serves as a model for how high-performing tech products can support environmental goals.

Built to Last:

Tough on Wear and Tear

Durability was essential in extending Aspire Vero’s lifecycle, ensuring that its eco-friendly materials translated into real-world longevity. We reinforced the laptop’s rugged exterior to endure up to 20 kg of force, designed an ultra-durable hinge to withstand frequent opening and closing, and engineered drop resistance up to 28 cm. Each element was crafted to prove that eco-conscious materials can create a robust, reliable product for everyday use.

OceanGlass Touchpad
By incorporating ocean-bound plastics, we created the OceanGlass™ Touchpad—a glass-like, tactile experience designed to feel good both in use and in purpose.

Paint-Free Chassis
We opted for a paint-free chassis to reduce the environmental impact associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), keeping the finish pure and eco-friendly.

Extended-Life Design
Our design employs standard screws for easy disassembly, allowing users to repair, upgrade, or recycle components, thus extending the device’s life and reducing waste.

Cypress Green
Our choice of Cypress Green subtly honors eco-conscious living, drawing inspiration from the resilience and beauty of nature’s landscapes.

Mariana Blue
In selecting Mariana Blue, we aimed to spark awareness for ocean preservation, evoking the depths of the Mariana Trench as a tribute to the vastness of our oceans.

Cobblestone Grey
Cobblestone Grey was chosen to reflect Vero’s purpose as a foundational "building block" for sustainable design—a grounded, reliable color for a product with lasting impact.

Power Efficiency with Eco+

Our DesignIt team prioritized sustainable energy use by integrating VeroSense, a smart battery management tool offering modes tailored for various energy needs—Performance, Balanced, Eco, and Eco+. This feature empowers users to manage energy consumption effectively, extending battery life in alignment with the device’s sustainable ethos.

Enhanced Collaboration Tools

We designed the collaboration experience to be top-tier by including a 14” or 15” FHD IPS display with 100% sRGB for vibrant color and a 1440p QHD webcam for superior video quality. With Temporal Noise Reduction, we addressed low-light performance, ensuring reliable visuals across all environments.

Smart Visuals with PurifiedView

Our team sought to improve virtual presence with Acer PurifiedView, incorporating AI-powered features like automatic framing, background blur, and gaze correction. These additions allow users to appear polished and engaged in online meetings effortlessly.

Noise-Free Communication with PurifiedVoice

To enhance voice clarity, we included Acer PurifiedVoice with advanced AI noise reduction, effectively suppressing background sounds. This design ensures distraction-free communication for users, whether they’re using the laptop’s built-in mic or external devices.

Optimized Low-Light Webcam Performance

To deliver high-quality visuals even in challenging lighting conditions, we selected Acer's Temporal Noise Reduction technology. This solution enhances image clarity, providing users with a consistent, professional look during virtual interactions.

Seamless Connectivity for Modern Lifestyles

Acknowledging the need for dependable connections on the go, our team equipped Aspire Vero with a full array of ports and connectivity options. This thoughtful integration supports users’ eco-friendly, mobile lifestyles, enabling productivity wherever they are.

Kick-Start Productivity

We chose to equip the device with 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and up to 10 cores, creating a powerhouse that balances speed and multitasking capabilities, ideal for professionals with high productivity demands.

Eco-Friendly Performance with Intel® Evo™

To meet Acer's sustainability goals without compromising on performance, we integrated Intel® Evo™ certification, ensuring users experience top-tier performance, responsiveness, and battery life in a design engineered for eco-conscious computing.

Seamless PC and Phone Integration

In designing for today’s connected world, we incorporated Intel® Unison™, allowing users to effortlessly transfer files, manage calls and texts, and sync notifications between their PC and mobile devices. This choice enhances productivity by creating a unified experience across platforms.

The Aspire Vero’s green packaging design is a key feature of Acer’s first sustainability-focused laptop, showcasing innovative eco-friendly touches that are evident before the device is even unboxed.

Acer has reimagined the Aspire Vero’s packaging from the ground up, creating a versatile design system that spans multiple product lines, device sizes, and packaging components. The Aspire Vero ships in a box crafted from 80-85% recycled paper pulp, and plastic coverings for adapters have been minimized, replaced by paper sleeves. Additionally, the laptop’s protective bag and keyboard sheet are made entirely from recycled PET, eliminating the need for tens of thousands of boxes and over 99% of virgin plastic while maintaining durability. Every element of the packaging is 100% recyclable, and the inner partition can even be repurposed by users into an adjustable notebook stand, adding both functionality and sustainability to the unboxing experience.

Up to 90% Recycled Paper

Is used to make the Aspire Vero’s packaging box which can be easily reconfigured for different uses.

Ergonomic Laptop Stand11

The inner partition can be transformed into a reusable laptop stand in a few simple steps.

100% Recycled Polyester

Is used to make the laptop bag and keyboard sheet, which demands less energy to produce & utilizes pre-existing plastics.