Developing a Scientific Calculator Easier for Everyone to Use
The Casio ClassWiz scientific calculator is a full model change almost 10 years in the making.
It was previously thought difficult to design a scientific calculator so functionally advanced that it improves further on the current model, but
Casio announced a new development concept around "innovations for simpler use"
in pursuit of the perfect UI (User Interface). The ClassWiz CW Series was born.
Here is the story of how it was developed.
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Hardware Strategy Section, Product Strategy Department, EdTech BusinessUnit
Miki Suzuki
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Design Department, CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Shunsuke Oka
In educational settings across the globe, the general consensus was that
"Scientific calculators are difficult to use when using them for the first time"
The project for development of a new scientific calculator began in 2017. We believed that our existing scientific calculator series had already reached its final form, but when we visited schools around the world and asked for fresh feedback, we found that many thought that the unique specifications of the scientific calculator made it difficult to navigate the existing product intuitively.
Thoughts of Students and Teachers
"The keys have too much text in different colors making it hard to find the function you want"
"The unique specifications of the scientific calculator, such as selecting functions using [=], makes intuitive operation difficult"
"It is hard to see where the cursor is during input"
"Functions are scattered all over and not grouped in categories making it hard to remember where they are during use"
"I don't know what to call some of the keys making it difficult to teach use verbally"
Maintaining high performance while improving "approachability"
My background is engineering so my first thought when redesigning something is always that I want to further increase functionality.
However, upon hearing the thoughts of students regarding the previous model, I realized that many of them found it difficult to use. I then recalled my own experience as a student, when I failed a test because I did not know how to use the scientific calculator. It doesn't matter if the calculator is high-performance if it is too difficult to use. We thought it was important to make the new model easier to use and encourage people to want to use it, and decided on a product concept of "Approachability."
How did you embody the
concept of "Approachable"?
Our aim was to achieve a design that anyone can use easily without explanation
The aim with the previous model was to achieve a sense of high quality and advanced technology. We believe that this concept may have given users the impression that scientific calculators are difficult to use. Therefore, when designing the CW Series, we focused on "Familiarity" as well as "Approachability." Of course we wanted a calculator that could be used without explanation, but we also wanted to come up with a design that students who don't like math would want to use.
Great care has been put into details in the New ClassWiz CW Series UI design
■ Rounded keys
We adopted rounded keys to feel more natural to the fingers because a scientific calculator is something you will touch countless times. With square keys it is easy to catch the edges of the keys or press the corners, but rounded keys are equally comfortable to press from any angle. That is why we decided that rounded keys would be the better choice. A prototype with rounded keys was produced during development. We confirmed that the keys were more comfortable to press in practice and decided to adopt these in the final design.
■ Key layout allows for easy navigation using your thumb
Next, we looked at the layout of the navigation keys, such as the cursor and home buttons. Students often hold and use a calculator in one hand, so we thought a layout that allows the buttons to be pressed in order from top left to bottom right using the thumb would be best. This also aligns with the fact that humans look from the top left when viewing something.
1. Turn the power on
2. Open apps from the HOME button
3. Select the calculator app using the cursor
■ Independent function keys to simplify operation
With the previous model, there were two types of sub-function for each key. These have been replaced by independent function keys, and sub-functions have been grouped by functionality. This reduces the number of sub-functions assigned to each key, achieving a simple and intuitive key layout.
■ Key layout that is simpler to navigate and easier to use
We made various changes to make the key layout easier to navigate, such as limiting the number of colors used for labeling the function name to two from the five to six colors used on the previous model.
Great care was given to countless other details
■ Texture in a pattern of arithmetic function symbols adds familiarity
The textured side grips are a multilayer construction that comprises three different textures. Originally designed as a countermeasure against imitation products, one of the three layers is a textured pattern composed of the arithmetic function symbols, + - × ÷. This contributes to a fun design and familiarity. This also improves how it feels to grip.
■ Clip-on hard cover is easier to hold
The conventional slide-on hard cover has been switched for a clip-on cover. The reduced thickness and width when the cover is on makes the calculator easier and more comfortable to hold during use.
■ Environmentally friendly cardboard packaging reduces plastic waste
Commitment also to product appearance
We also paid special attention when fitting a new hard cover to whether it improved the appearance of the calculator. We used a 3D printer in our relentless pursuit of an improved appearance of the calculator and hard cover together. As a designer, it was important that whichever side the cover was on the flip side would look good. This element is perhaps the part of the shaping study that took the longest time.
Making high performance more approachable.
Casio's new strategy is embodied by the ClassWiz CW Series
Not simply a calculation tool, but
an educational tool that aims to support learning,
the ClassWiz CW Series has undoubtedly evolved from a functional perspective. However, this update is not simply an improvement to calculation functions.
New features that support student learning have also been added.
■ Math Box
Dice roll and coin toss functions that simulate mathematical probability based on real-life situations.
■ Links up with the all-in-one learning support tool "ClassPad.net" provided by Casio
By scanning the QR code displayed on the scientific calculator, the input formulas are displayed on a tablet or smartphone as a graph. Supports practical learning, such as changing numerical values and adding formulas.
1. Input data
2. Generate & scan QR code
3. Graph on smart device
4. Analyze graph
Designing a new standard of scientific calculator
with a new level of approachability
Currently, in educational settings across the world, the trend is to promote not just math ability, but also the 4 C's of learning skills, which include creativity and critical thinking. That's why, when developing this new model, we didn't design it as something that simply outputs calculation results. We changed direction slightly and added features that support student learning, such as features that allow students to perform simulations on the calculator. We would also like teachers to use these features to get students interested in math and inspire them to learn by boosting their curiosity. The link-up with ClassPad.net has also been enhanced and should accelerate the use of ICT in lessons.
Our design to improve approachability was evaluated
and awarded the iF Design Award.
The product concept and product design of this newly developed ClassWiz CW Series was evaluated from the perspective of the user and awarded the iF Design Award, one of the three most prestigious design awards in the world. It is an honor for those of us involved in the development of this series to be awarded this internationally acclaimed award. You can only judge how easy it is to use a calculator by actually taking it in your hands and using it. We have heard that the concept has been praised highly by teachers in the regions where sales of the new model have begun. We would like everyone to try the ClassWiz CW Series and see for themselves.
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