John Arnott started the firm as John Arnott & Associates as an Industrial Design firm in consumer and capital products, but specialization in electronics packaging and medical devices led to an international reputation in human factors, ergonomics and user experience design. For example; the SnoRacer for Noma, a dental sterilizer for SciCan, ……… (See the Client List for more details.)
This led to contracts to develop the Welland Canal Traffic Control System for the St Lawrence Seaway Corporation, the initial Alias design methodology for the Volvo Monitoring & Concept Centre in Westgate Village, California, and an Experimental Air Traffic Control System for Transport Canada – a division of the Government of Canada.
Some long term clients are: Clairtone Sound Corporation (Canada), General Electric (GE) (USA), Volvo (Sweden), Franke Foodsystems (Switzerland), Bombardier (Canada), Air Canada (Canada), SciCan (International), and Microlith Electronics HK (Hong Kong). A more complete project list and blue chip client list may be found below.
Notable professionals who are or have been part of The Arnott Group (and related companies) teams include: Jose Colucci, PhD. Roy Nakashima. Geoff Foulds. Gary Kaga. Vince Somoza. Blake Jarrett. Mark Campbell. Don Wilson. Eric Hillmer. David Archbold. Dianne Croteau. Peter Heywood. Stephen Armstrong, Jonathon Loudon, and many others.
CLIENT LIST:
CONSUMER PRODUCTS:
Bikerak Products, Furnitech Systems. Street Furniture.*
CAMCO: Domestic major appliances.
Canadian General Electric. Television and stereo systems.
Canadian Wheelchair. Full line and experimental wheelchairs.*
Canadiana Outdoor Products. Many recreational products including first plastic lawnmowers.*
Dicon Systems: Electronic smoke and intrusion detectors.
Emerson Electric. Heater controllers.
Glidden. Experimental thixotropic paint sticks.
Halcyon Waterbed: Electronic waterbed controllers.
Invicta Products: Back-lit picture frames
Labatt’s Brewery: The first 3D computer generated beer bottle.*
Lectronic Kaddy: Electric golf caddies.
MacPod Enterprises: Radical ski boots for a world champion – Steve Podborski.*
Medallion Watercraft: A line of motorboats.
Microlith Electronics: Electronic calculators and transceivers.*
Moulinex Canada: Electrical appliances.
Noma: SnoRacer – the first modern toboggan.*
Oster: Electric blenders.
Petro Canada: 1 litre oil bottle in production for 30 years.*
Scott Paper: Over 5 million patented towel holders sold.*
Sunbeam: The first collapsible curling iron and hair dryers in the world.*
Warner Lambert: Innovative packaging for chewing gum.
Webster Manufacturing: Compact air pump standard equipment on Porsche cars.*
West Bend: Low cost line of coffee makers for Wal Mart.*
Westnghouse: The first all plastic electric kettle.*
MEDICAL & ELECTRONICS PRODUCTS:
Atomic Energy of Canada: Ergonomic workstations.
Anova: Thermostatic heater controllers.
ATI Technologies: Semiconductor packaging concepts.
Bax Enterprises: Exercise device for lower back pain.
Canada Systems Group: Ergonomic workstations.
CEMCORP: Educational microcomputer and classroom architecture.*
CIBC: Ergonomic workstations.
Compudirect:
Corel: Video cameras for computer monitors.
Develcon:
Efos: Ultraviolet curing guns for dentistry.
Emerson Electric:
ETC Systems:
Falk Oncology: Low cost oncology infusion devices.
Human Computing resources: Innovative exhibit system.
Hydra Communications: Experimental desktop videoconferencing system. *
Infogrip: Hand-held chording keyboard. *
Insertek Electronics:
Life Force America: Condom vending machine.
Medipro:
MCM Computer: Low volume 32 bit microcomputer.
Microdesign: Domestic terminals for cable TV controllers. *
Mikron Group Electronics:
Orcatech:
Pharma Patch: Site preparation device for drug infusion patches.
Promedic:
Q-Life Systems: Electronic drug infuser for oncology patients.
QSI:
Nixdorf Computer: ATM terminals. *
Novatel Communications:
Ontario Research Foundation: Various pre-competitive research projects
Pratt & Whitney: Aviation history diorama.
Regal Medi-Spa: Showers for bed-ridden patients.
SCI-CAN: Steriliser for dental offices.*
SCIEX: Mass spectrometry machines.
SED Research: Mobile seed drilling controllers.
Signacom: Socode Telecom: Terminal for telephone call sequencing.
Spectrix Microsystems: microcomputer packaging system.
Technequip: Safety systems for pole climbing hydro workers.
Timetrax: Timers for various industrial control systems.
CAPITAL PRODUCTS, CONTROL SYSTEMS, SIMULATION:
Air Canada: Seat pitch spacing and full cabin simulation Boeing 767.*
Amnicon: Ergonomic furniture system for PC equipped offices.*
De Havilland/Bombardier: Full cabin simulation Dash 8. *
Delphax Systems: Very high speed distributed printers. *
Franke: Foodservice identity system, hamburger cooking machine, various.
Hydra Communications: Experimental desktop videoconferencing sytem. *
Innovative Systems Group: Function specific ergonomic workstations.
Nixdorf Computer Systems: Various ATM terminals for banking applications. *
Novatel Communications: Mobile telephone handsets.
Ontario Ministry of Education: Educational computing architecture and packaging. *
SED Research: Mobile seed drilling controllers.
Sentrol Systems: System controllers for massive pulp & paper mills. *
SPAR Aerospace: Canadarm packaging & presentation.
Transport Canada: Experimental Air Traffic Control System. *
VOLVO: Development of California advanced design studio.
York Trillium Developments: Air handling system for underfloor HVAC.