Firstly, I would like to begin with the spoon. It is a device that affords scooping, stirring, and never has to be explained or troubleshooted. It is simple, cheap, and can be made from a wide variety of materials. It hasn't been changed in years because there is nothing to change. The spoon is perfectly designed.
Next, consider the microwave. It provides audible feedback when entering input and once food is ready. It utilizes an interlock force function to ensure the users safety by not operating the microwave emitter when the door is ajar. Buttons are clearly labeled and have one-to-one control mapping. The microwave's only flaw is feature-creep, which can be avoided by shopping around and has yet to interfere with good mappings.
The consumer fan also features good design elements. Physical constraints ensure the safety of the user and indicate that the fan's operation doesn't involve interaction with the blades. There is a single knob to control fan speed, which operates as standardized with the off position located next to the highest fan speed position. The fan does nothing more than what is expected, and nothing less. Another humble, well designed device.
Something I was immediately grateful for when I ordered my Kindle was its packaging. It was functional - the Kindle arrived in mint condition, but was also both aesthetically pleasing and easy to open. It is obvious to the user how to open the package due to the tab placed next to the dotted-line, which everyone knows symbolizes perforation. Once the tab is pulled the lid easily opens to reveal a Kindle, nested in an aesthetically pleasing box with the charging cord and the instructions, which consist of 3 simple steps, placed on the Kindle's screen - impossible to miss.
Lastly, I would like to present a packaging concept for Coke that I stumbled onto a few years ago. The bottle affords portability, drinking, stacking, and advertising. The most notable of these features is stacking, which most bottles don't afford. Stacking coke bottles would allow for easier shipping and handling, and the new shape makes the bottles, and their logos, stand out. By offsetting the lid the new shape still affords the user the ability to drink easily.
I love that you included a spoon as an example of good design. A spoon so trivial but functional it shows good design.
ReplyDeleteGood job with these examples. The Amazon packaging was a good one. Didn't even think about packaging needing good design, but this was definitely one. I also thought the Coke bottle was a good one (the picture doesn't show up, but I looked it up). Very good job
ReplyDeleteYou might want to fix the picture of the coke bottle design. Good use of words used in the book like mapping, affording, feedback, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe organization of your posts made it a little confusing, but once I found everything it was really good. Your chapter summaries are very detailed and your design examples use vocabulary from the book. I agree with you on the Amazon packaging. They are always very good about the way they pack their items. Good job overall.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, you missed chapter one the Psychopathology of Everyday Things.
ReplyDeleteSecond, these were supposed to be reactions not summaries of the chapters. I have already read the book, I don't necessarily want to re-read it.
Third, your coke picture is not there, busted link I'm guessing.
Your examples were fine though.