A motherboard monoblock-based CMF experiment for PC components

Driven by emerging trends and the pursuit of advanced techniques, the week-long multi-iteration project aimed to fuse layers of materials and processes to achieve the exposed, detail-oriented and futuristic aesthetic recently popularised by Nothing.

Image Source: Nothing

Background

Since the introduction of the ‘creator’ subcategory, the market has seen an increasing number of products featuring sleek, geometric, and minimal elements, steering away from the traditional aggressive, muscular and RGB-heavy gaming aesthetics.

Around the same time, Nothing’s bold statement in celebrating internal components and dedication to detail brought the transparent design language back into the mainstream.

As a manufacturer constantly looking to provide advanced yet viable solutions to support our clients’ development, it was essential to bring this element to the then largely unaffected sector of PC components.

The Objective

Present conceptual imageries based on motherboard’s I/O shield that explore expandable new design language while utilising the manufacturer’s production capability.

Explorations

“Material experiments in response to emerging market trends through feasible manufacturing solutions”

Motherboard components based on: MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon by Leeft on GrabCAD Community

The Design

The concept uses dual-shot injection moulding to achieve the fusion between high gloss and a delicate patterned white texture.

The laser-etched surface finish offers subtle tactile experience, while the partial covering by the transparent material creates visual depth through contrast.

The artworks are pad-printed underneath, juxtaposed with the polished outer surface to create a sense of liquid-like ‘offset’.

Evaluation

While the concepts did not directly impact the final product, some of the ideas and knowledge explored were later carried, tested and eventually contributed to the adaptation on ASUS’s Dual series GPUs.

However, the material and process combination suffered from cosmetic inconsistencies and appearance defects during initial trials and early stages of production, highlighting the inherent trade-off between yield and premium execution.