Square Stand holds an iPad running Square’s cash register software and replaces traditional point of sale hardware. The current Stand contains a mag strip reader, which will soon be out of date because of the industry transition to EMV chip cards. Square already offers an EMV scanning module that wirelessly connects to the iPad running the Square app, so the impetus for a redesign is only to remove the unnecessary hardware.
My design is simple, symmetric and evokes the stability of the triangle. The stand is designed to fit iPad Air 2, and maintains the ability to swivel on a circular base. I would manufacture the Stand as an assembly of multiple injection molded pieces and use the same white plastic used in other Square hardware. I arrived at the form after a few rough sketches and then modeled the piece in OnShape, a cloud based CAD service.
Design Advantages:
Combination of rounded and sharp edges match the design language of the chip reader module.
Simple form minimizes material use and assembly time.
Stand prioritizes stability and allows for rotation.
Square appears to primarily be focused on software and financial services, and content to allow third parties to supply specialized stands for businesses using Square point of sale software. This allows the Square Stand to be simple and serve a user with basic needs
I would also redesign the point of sale software to allow for self-checkout. I envision a system in which a barista could prepare a drink, while the customer completes the purchase. Although this could appear impersonal, it would quicken the delivery of goods and the employee could spend the time saved making more genuine connection with the customer.
Please contact kevin_eve@brown.edu with questions or comments.