1.) We would like to welcome you to Underworld Magazines. Please introduce your company and tell us the idea that has made you the most successful.


Speck was born out of the concept of being speculative in terms of design (hence the Company’s foreshortened namesake). It’s a relatively young company, founded in 2001 by product design, engineering and materials experts. From the very start, Speck has been aggressive in the use of colors, textures and other thoughtful design details and features. This is precisely what makes Speck unique and different from other offerings. As a leading designer and maker of original, high quality cases for the latest popular portable electronics, we’re best-known for focusing on creating refreshing designs that offer quality, thoughtful features, and highly distinctive style.

2) What was the first product that Speck! Produced? Why this product, out of all the other types of products out there? Were there, if any, challenges with manufacturing your first product?

One of the earliest retail/commercial products Speck produced was our FlipStand case for the iPod. It provided easy access with superior protection, and an integrated desktop stand. It was made out of an unbelievably durable polycarbonate-like material that reminded many reviewers at the time of the enclosure for the iBook. It was considered one of the most indestructible iPod cases the market had ever seen — the only exposed part of the entire case was the access hole for the headphone port. It featured a built in stand that flipped out, making it unique; people had never seen or heard of a case design quite like this one. There were challenges in making it all work, as it had never been done before. It took many iterations to get it right and resolve many manufacturing, materials and design challenges. Luckily, we overcame and brought the FlipStand to the market!

3.) When we received your Speck! laptop carrying bags we noticed some very interesting details. How do you figure out the layout of each bag? What makes your bags better than your competitors?

Our design team spends a significant amount of time evaluating materials, features and functions, as well as the many products already available on the market. We spend a great deal of time using the products ourselves, as well as talk to and listen to our many loyal Speck consumers and their use of our products and their feedback. And of course, we listen to our dealers and resellers around the world and consider their input as well. At Speck, we always look to balance the blend of function and fashion and we very much strive to offer clever and friendly features that make the difference and will be appreciated once experienced. In addition, we focus on making all our products accessible price wise.

Speck Laptop Cases

4.) Out of all of the companies that we have worked with, yours’ is by far the best for packaging. Why do you take so much care when creating your packaging? Is there a specific reason you use such details when creating your packaging for your products?

In most situations, creating an impression and speaking to consumers relies solely on product packaging (and of course the product inside ) to say everything to the potential customer. In the process of crafting cases, bags and other accessories, the product really needs to speak for itself and the packaging should work to enhance and augment the product expression, not hinder it. Color, texture, and materials selections are all a very personal choice, so we look for ways to package the product to add a functional connection while also saying something about the company behind the product. In a sea of sameness on the wall, we strive to capture attention and imagination. So, for example, when the vast majority of brands we hang our products next to offered similar rectangle/plastic window styled packaging, we looked to inspiration and familiarity. That’s how we came up with our “milk carton” style package — again, we pushed form, materials, and function in a unique direction. It’s in our DNA to do so, and with that, our packaging will change and evolve over time.

5.) How did you start a company thats’ profit is based on protecting gadgets?

There will always be electronics and other portable devices to protect, store, carry and take with us on our adventures. Until more recently, consumers across many segments were served very little variety and choice in terms of style, form and functions in accessories. As technology mainstreams and more and more people access it and use it, expression, differentiation and personalization has become more important to consumers and has created more opportunities for retailers to attach accessories in a more meaningful way. The cycles of consumer demand varies, from the type of devices involved to the different cultures and geographies around the world. That’s why Speck remains a globally focused company and why we’ve started and maintained our ability to grow and continue to be successful.

6.) Do you ever plan on making Speck! Products for older versions of gadgets out there? For example the older iPhones than the 3g.

We look at device life cycles frequently and its always a balancing act of how far back we continue to support previous generation devices — the decisions are usually driven by whether there’s sustained marketplace demand and the size of the installed base of device users that has been created. As a general direction, we tend to be focused forward as Apple, BlackBerry and many others continue to refresh and release new generations of devices regularly. This is where Speck’s greatest opportunities for growth, new product development and new customers tends to be found.

7.) Where are some of your prime locations, and where can our readers find your products online?

Speck products can truly be found worldwide. Here in the U.S. you can find many of our products in major retailers such as Best Buy, Target, AT&T, Toys R Us, and Apple stores, among other consumer electronics, department, bookstore and even select apparel retailers. You can also find all our products available for sale directly through our website, SpeckProducts.com, through major e-tailers like Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com as well as other specialty online dealers and resellers.

8.) We would like to take this time to thank you to answer our questions. A lot of our readers are very interested in what you do. Do you have a final thought for them?

Every day, the 40 people that come together and huddle up in our downtown Palo Alto, CA office focus on having fun and crafting unique and clever products that really connect with consumers. The company’s employees are very diverse in their interests, ages and backgrounds and we very much consider that a key ingredient to what makes us who we are and the products we conceive. We’d like to thank the many thousands of loyal Speck fans out there that use and continue to use our products faithfully and invite those that haven’t to try Speck out to personalize and protect their devices and experience the Speck difference for themselves.

Visit speckproducts.com