I was in a restaurant at Copenhagen airport last month, a self-service eatery, where I placed an order for spaghetti. My order, as I was told by my server, would be ready when I heard the beeper buzz and saw a blinking red light from this little toy-like gadget. Naturally, I felt like a dog waiting for the ringing bell of its master. I remember being close to starving that day, and I stared at the beeper, willing it to ring.
I don't know who designed this piece of equipment, having never seen it used in any other place before. But I do believe there is a place for this interesting piece of 'old technology', as it can be adapted for use in pubs and hospitals. As long as there is a need to queue, you can use this beeper to alert you, yet still walk away and do some other thing.
This design is absolutely marvellous, particularly as I believe great designs should be widely adaptable and should not always rely on the 'latest technology'.
Far too many designers rely on the latest technology, seemingly unable to create great works with only simple designs.
We should focus on ideas, not just on technique, but clients do tend to pay less when the art work is simply done, forgetting that remuneration should be based on the value of creativity and not its complexity.