Philips Design has developed Securitas Direct’s latest home management network, designed to fit seamlessly into the home and daily household routines.



Philips Design has a long and healthy relationship with leading security services company Securitas Direct.  Now, the company is about to launch its latest home management network.  More than a home security system, the nine new products make up a complete network that can be installed either in its entirety or according to each home’s individual requirements.

A smart home assistant
At the center of each network is the central control unit, and this is where the really smart innovation lies. Providing not only a safe, simple way to stay in contact with security services and creating a the central point for other network devices to connect to, the central control has a unique GSM capacity, capable of sending and receiving messages.

“It’s like giving your home a mobile phone,” says Andrew Hartman, Design Director New Business at Philips Design. “It gives your home a persona – there is always someone home. It not only lets you know if there is a problem, but also but also makes contact with you or calls for help.”

“This network is unlike any home security system on the market,” continues Andrew.  “This is far more than home security. Your home can now be self-aware, monitoring activities on the property and taking appropriate action when needed, even when there’s no one home.  A smoke detector is of little or no value if there’s no one home to hear the alarm and the house is burning. This proposition is capable of working independently and prompts someone to react.”

Talking the same language
Designing the nine products brought its own challenges.  “Not only did each product have to be cohesive both visually and functionally, it was important we got the design language right,” says Andrew. “Home security should give reassurance and peace of mind without being intrusive or complicated to use and that had to be reflected in the appearance of each product.”

All products radiate three important brand qualities – friendly, reliable and performance - with each product communicating these three qualities to varying degrees. White, shiny surfaces enhance the ‘friendly’ face of the product making it look light and open, so this was applied more on products such as the cameras and door sensors. A chunky mental band gives the impression of reliability, so this was incorporated into products such as the network hub and control panel. Touch-screen panels and details inviting interaction show the high ‘performance’ value of the product.

“We have been able to create a cohesive design language for nine very different products, while allowing them each to convey their own individual purpose. The smoke detector needs to be unobtrusive most of the time, but still say “I’m ready to make a noise if I detect some danger”, says Andrew.

“Designing the products for this network has been more than product design alone,” he says. “It has been about making the home self-aware, using design to communicate this sensitivity and value”.