Comments on: Why Design Matters http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Sat, 26 May 2012 20:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Doug http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146360 Doug Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:47:45 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146360 The design process from the video will be scarily familiar to anyone who has been through rounds of client approval on almost any printed object. The path of least resistance is saying yes to everything, and it often ends up looking like the dog's breakfast. The same client who wanted all the additions then wonders why it doesn't look as nice and clean as the prototype. And yes, little details in the packaging matter for people who haven't completely made up their minds in advance on what they want; and for impulse purchases (though I doubt an iPod is often one of those), they're crucial. The design process from the video will be scarily familiar to anyone who has been through rounds of client approval on almost any printed object. The path of least resistance is saying yes to everything, and it often ends up looking like the dog’s breakfast. The same client who wanted all the additions then wonders why it doesn’t look as nice and clean as the prototype.

And yes, little details in the packaging matter for people who haven’t completely made up their minds in advance on what they want; and for impulse purchases (though I doubt an iPod is often one of those), they’re crucial.

]]> By: anon http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146298 anon Wed, 01 Mar 2006 18:56:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146298 Noone has picked up on the real reason MS puts all that fine print on the box...legal cya. They have to disclaim their violations of the principle of least astonishment or they'd be obliged to give up on most of their noxious license clauses. Noone has picked up on the real reason MS puts all that fine print on the box…legal cya. They have to disclaim their violations of the principle of least astonishment or they’d be obliged to give up on most of their noxious license clauses.

]]> By: Jack http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146293 Jack Wed, 01 Mar 2006 18:06:06 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146293 Is the Xbox360 typical of Microsoft? No-one says that Microsoft can't learn if business demands it, but sometimes, as with Internet Explorer, it stops when things are good enough for Microsoft. Some Microsoft things are great -- their keyboard shortcuts are great for example. Also it's interesting that there are good reasons for nearly all the changes made by the pretend Microsoft in the film. The points apply to many less august institutions than Microsoft too. I think the Apple/Dell comparison is particularly interesting. Apple doesn't seem far from MS thoughts on the Xbox360: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002276090_xboxdesign16.html http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3140209 Is the Xbox360 typical of Microsoft?

No-one says that Microsoft can’t learn if business demands it, but sometimes, as with Internet Explorer, it stops when things are good enough for Microsoft. Some Microsoft things are great—their keyboard shortcuts are great for example.

Also it’s interesting that there are good reasons for nearly all the changes made by the pretend Microsoft in the film. The points apply to many less august institutions than Microsoft too. I think the Apple/Dell comparison is particularly interesting.

Apple doesn’t seem far from MS thoughts on the Xbox360:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002276090_xboxdesign16.html
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3140209

]]> By: soubzriquet http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146292 soubzriquet Wed, 01 Mar 2006 18:02:45 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146292 andrew: wasn't the point (well, sort of) that the video may be funny because it contains a grain of truth, as against being literally true? In any case, the wors offender in the PC shrinkwrap world certainly isn't MS, granted. On the other hand, they have put out some boxes pretty heavy on the marketese and BS, too. For that matter, the (original version, and canadian) xbox packaging that I have seen up close wasn't particularly busy, it was just very ugly. I doubt gamers care much about that either, though. andrew: wasn’t the point (well, sort of) that the video may be funny because it contains a grain of truth, as against being literally true? In any case, the wors offender in the PC shrinkwrap world certainly isn’t MS, granted. On the other hand, they have put out some boxes pretty heavy on the marketese and BS, too.

For that matter, the (original version, and canadian) xbox packaging that I have seen up close wasn’t particularly busy, it was just very ugly. I doubt gamers care much about that either, though.

]]> By: soubzriquet http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146290 soubzriquet Wed, 01 Mar 2006 17:57:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146290 Steve: I know quite a few people who use apples by preference (not as many as windows), but nobody who is a `zealot'. I'm sure you can find them (or for MS, or for unix, or...) but to claim that this is average behaviour is pretty laughable, if that is what your were doing. Apple makes a better total package when considered stand-alone, but you trade that off against interoperability with others, etc. Depending what you are doing, one or the other (or something else) may be compellingly better, or it might not. Steve: I know quite a few people who use apples by preference (not as many as windows), but nobody who is a `zealot’. I’m sure you can find them (or for MS, or for unix, or…) but to claim that this is average behaviour is pretty laughable, if that is what your were doing. Apple makes a better total package when considered stand-alone, but you trade that off against interoperability with others, etc. Depending what you are doing, one or the other (or something else) may be compellingly better, or it might not.

]]> By: Andrew http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146287 Andrew Wed, 01 Mar 2006 17:39:37 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146287 <i>If there is content beyond it’s being funny it is the suggestion that this might be how product design works in Microsoft with box ticking committees and blanket policies keeping products as studiously mediocre as the packaging suggested.</i> Well the only product I worked on at Microsoft was the Xbox 360, and I wasn't directly involved in the packaging design, but that video is not like the true design process there, or anything like the end result. If you look at the packaging for the device (two links for two versions) you can see what it is like for yourself. http://home.btconnect.com/hgi/xbox2/xbox-360-deluxe.jpg http://www.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/8FA72BB6-B004-4208-ADC4-E60DB3A0CC04/0/SGRCoreSku.jpg The video may be funny, but it's not true! If there is content beyond it’s being funny it is the suggestion that this might be how product design works in Microsoft with box ticking committees and blanket policies keeping products as studiously mediocre as the packaging suggested.

Well the only product I worked on at Microsoft was the Xbox 360, and I wasn’t directly involved in the packaging design, but that video is not like the true design process there, or anything like the end result. If you look at the packaging for the device (two links for two versions) you can see what it is like for yourself.
http://home.btconnect.com/hgi/xbox2/xbox-360-deluxe.jpg
http://www.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/8FA72BB6-B004-4208-ADC4-E60DB3A0CC04/0/SGRCoreSku.jpg

The video may be funny, but it’s not true!

]]> By: Steve http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146282 Steve Wed, 01 Mar 2006 16:55:04 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146282 I've never used Apples in my life (always IBM/Intl-well, except back when TRS-80 was around). But I'd be more convinced of Apple's supremacy if Apple adherents didn't sound like religious zealots. Steve I’ve never used Apples in my life (always IBM/Intl-well, except back when TRS-80 was around). But I’d be more convinced of Apple’s supremacy if Apple adherents didn’t sound like religious zealots.

Steve

]]> By: Jack http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146278 Jack Wed, 01 Mar 2006 16:32:17 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146278 The Microsoftised packaging is clearly less appealing and also less informative. The former is Microsoft's problem and they can be expected to look after themselves. The latter is a minor problem or inconvenience for consumers but not in itself worth commenting on. If there is content beyond it's being funny it is the suggestion that this might be how product design works in Microsoft with box ticking committees and blanket policies keeping products as studiously mediocre as the packaging suggested. This is interesting because it is the reason that Apple is worth almost as much as Dell. cm, there are significant differences between an iPod Nano and the Zen Touch that might well lead one to prefer the former. GB capacity is not in this case a good proxy for product utility. The Microsoftised packaging is clearly less appealing and also less informative. The former is Microsoft’s problem and they can be expected to look after themselves. The latter is a minor problem or inconvenience for consumers but not in itself worth commenting on.

If there is content beyond it’s being funny it is the suggestion that this might be how product design works in Microsoft with box ticking committees and blanket policies keeping products as studiously mediocre as the packaging suggested. This is interesting because it is the reason that Apple is worth almost as much as Dell.

cm, there are significant differences between an iPod Nano and the Zen Touch that might well lead one to prefer the former. GB capacity is not in this case a good proxy for product utility.

]]> By: Tim http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146276 Tim Wed, 01 Mar 2006 16:31:02 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146276 The single best thing about Apples is their packaging: when you buy a iWhatever-the-hell-they-call-their laptop, the styrofoam insert has rounded corners so you can get the goddam thing out the box without shaking it out onto the floor. Almost enough to make me a convert (if I weren't as irrationally committed to keeping my 7-yr old clone laptop running and doing the 4 or 5 things I actually use a computer for). The single best thing about Apples is their packaging: when you buy a iWhatever-the-hell-they-call-their laptop, the styrofoam insert has rounded corners so you can get the goddam thing out the box without shaking it out onto the floor.

Almost enough to make me a convert (if I weren’t as irrationally committed to keeping my 7-yr old clone laptop running and doing the 4 or 5 things I actually use a computer for).

]]> By: CM http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146273 CM Wed, 01 Mar 2006 15:40:21 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146273 quo vadis, Yes that's marketing genius in the same sense that Repubs getting half the American population to vote for a complete failure is genius. Personally I'm a little concerned when people spend $250 on a 4GB iPod when they could get a 40GB Zen Touch for the same price. But then plus ca change, Chris quo vadis,
Yes that’s marketing genius in the same sense that Repubs getting half the American population to vote for a complete failure is genius. Personally I’m a little concerned when people spend $250 on a 4GB iPod when they could get a 40GB Zen Touch for the same price. But then plus ca change,
Chris

]]> By: DonBoy http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146225 DonBoy Wed, 01 Mar 2006 06:05:01 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146225 The music is from Danny Elfman's score for <i>Pee Wee's Big Adventure</i>. The music is from Danny Elfman’s score for Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.

]]> By: MikeTheLibrarian http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146216 MikeTheLibrarian Wed, 01 Mar 2006 03:51:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146216 Ok, I have to know or it will be bothering me for days. What the devil was that music?! Ok, I have to know or it will be bothering me for days. What the devil was that music?!

]]> By: Kieran Healy http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146213 Kieran Healy Wed, 01 Mar 2006 02:35:59 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146213 <i>I never said product design doesn’t matter but I’m saying the packaging design doesn’t matter</i> The two are not uncorrelated. I never said product design doesn’t matter but I’m saying the packaging design doesn’t matter

The two are not uncorrelated.

]]> By: Andrew http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146209 Andrew Wed, 01 Mar 2006 01:54:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146209 I never said product design doesn't matter but I'm saying the packaging design doesn't matter. At least not to me. I never said product design doesn’t matter but I’m saying the packaging design doesn’t matter. At least not to me.

]]> By: John Quiggin http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/comment-page-1/#comment-146207 John Quiggin Wed, 01 Mar 2006 01:34:12 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/2006/02/28/why-design-matters/#comment-146207 The design success if the iPod isn't just fashion design. iPods are esier/better to use than competing products, thanks to a combination of hardware and software design. The same is true of Macs of course, and hasn't been enough to allow Apple to make big inroads in this market, but we've been over this ground many times. The design success if the iPod isn’t just fashion design. iPods are esier/better to use than competing products, thanks to a combination of hardware and software design.

The same is true of Macs of course, and hasn’t been enough to allow Apple to make big inroads in this market, but we’ve been over this ground many times.

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