Lenovo’s ThinkPad T400s featured a number of unique additions and changes to the ThinkPad line, like the controversial revised keyboard layout, yet another revised interior design, and the larger, textured multi-touch touchpad.

VP of Corporate Identity & Design David Hill already blogged on the new touchpad, and now some of his colleagues across the world in Lenovo’s Yamato design labs have shared some of their insight on what went into the new touchpad design. Japanese culture and design philosophy has had a huge influence on ThinkPad design from day one, even something as simple as a bento box, so it’s no surprise to see the correlation into these innovations found in the T400s. Check out the excerpt below and hit the link for the full post.

The trademark feature of the new Touchpad is its textured surface. The UV-print texture is applied on top of the traditional Touchpad surface. The sensation is smooth but with a feeling of definition. The texture was inspired by the traditional Japanese handcraft technique known as Inden.

Source: [Yamato Thinking]