The P1 Terminal: A Retro-Futuristic Design Concept
Shaun Wellens reimagines corporate hardware through a fictional 1970s communal computing lens.
1Conceptualizing Retro-Futuristic Hardware
Designer Shaun Wellens created the P1 Terminal, a CGI concept for a fictional 1970s company named Push / Pull. Inspired by the GRiD Compass and Space Shuttle technology, the device features a soft white clamshell body. It serves as a shared computer designed for residents living in underground communities known as pockets.
2Design Influences and Form
The P1 draws heavy inspiration from the 1983 SPOC computer used aboard the Space Shuttle. Its rounded off-white pod shell includes a sage-gray handle module, reminiscent of the 1999 clamshell iBook. A mechanical stacked metal hinge connects the two halves, providing a tactile contrast to the otherwise smooth, pebble-like exterior finish.
3Interface and Display Mechanics
Inside the lid, a dark rounded-rectangle display mimics the aesthetic of phosphor CRT screens with cyan-green text. Despite its 1972 fictional launch date, the terminal includes a camera notch and perforated speaker grilles. The interface boots to a pixel-font hello, leading users into a numbered menu system for mail and shopping.
4Ergonomics of Shared Computing
The keyboard features a central blue trackball, ensuring equal accessibility for both left-handed and right-handed users in communal spaces. While the oval keyboard appears slightly cramped, this represents one of Wellens' intentional design flaws. These deliberate imperfections allow for iterative improvements, mirroring the development cycles of real-world cult-classic technology products.
5Mounting and Physical Utility
A multi-jointed robotic arm supports the terminal, allowing it to swing, tilt, and tuck away when not in use. This mounting style suggests a ceiling or wall-fixed setup, similar to a dental lamp. Such mechanics facilitate easy access for multiple users, reinforcing the device's role as a public terminal rather than personal.
6Historical Context and Parallels
Wellens' fictional timeline places the P1 in 1972, predating the 1973 Xerox Alto. His concept mirrors real historical projects like the 1973 Community Memory Project and the French Minitel system. These real-world systems provided public bulletin boards and shopping services, grounding the P1's fictional utility in genuine historical technological trends.
7The Severance Aesthetic Connection
The P1 Terminal shares a visual language with the MDR terminals seen in the show Severance. Its retro-corporate aesthetic makes it a natural fit for the Lumon Industries environment. The design successfully captures the eerie, nostalgic allure of corporate horror hardware while maintaining a functional, albeit fictional, user-centric design philosophy.
8Future Design Integration Potential
Given Wellens' previous work on the Kriket 3000 robot, his design language aligns perfectly with the Severance production team. Integrating his hardware concepts could enhance the show's visual storytelling in future seasons. His commitment to building machines for alternate timelines offers a unique opportunity for high-fidelity, immersive prop design in television.
Original article: Yanko Design — The P1 Terminal: A Retro-Futuristic Design Concept