This friendly device with its tiny footprint is perfect for the virtual world

With remote online working as well as learning increasing dramatically since the pandemic began, UK-based industrial designer and visualiser Alex D’Souza introduces ‘Viu’ – a one-of-a-kind webcam transforming any flat physical surface into a shareable platform offering a fresh new way to communicate virtually. 

“With Viu, I simply considered a form that conveys friendliness, approachability as well as responsiveness.

One that is able to sit comfortably in either – a home, work or hybrid environment” says D’Souza.

This innovative object beautifully comprises an intuitive yet minimalistic interface featuring – a tactile button to effortlessly switch on and connect, another button to quickly take a snapshot of the camera’s current view and a charging port. 

Additionally, it easily connects over wifi to one’s device seamlessly integrating with online communication tools as an input video source.

Providing one with the viewpoint of an overhead camera, without the large footprint and bulky equipment – this extraordinary conceptual product brilliantly utilizes live image geometry correction to warp the surface seen by the camera.

This results in a perfectly square top-down video feed of one’s desk, from a camera just 11cm off the surface. 

A neutral CMF approach further provides a sense of calm to an often busy work and learning life schedule. 
“Throughout the design process – adjusting its form to keep a friendly feel while maintaining its down, negative looking angle proved to be one of the hardest challenges for me” D’Souza adds.