November 25, 2009

1. What seminar readings, exercises, or assignments were most challenging, interesting, or rewarding for you? Why?

Personally, I believe the discussions were the most rewarding part of the class for me. I found it really interesting and enjoyable to meet everyone and have civil discussions about scholarly topics. I feel really fortunate to have been able to experience this seminar with this group of people. I learned a lot about them as well as myself. :)

2. What are the most important things you learned in this seminar?

Writing techniques, how to have scholarly discussions, putting together work that is acceptable for college expectations.

3. How might you use this learning in the future?

I hope I will use what I learned in seminar with all of my future college work, and hopefully it will translate positively and my work will turn out better than what it would have been without seminar.

November 18, 2009

1) Select a brief passage from the reading and post it on your blog. Explain why you thought it was interesting.

"At one point in time advertisers were afraid of humor. Now they realize that humor sells, and many commercials are extremely funny. This humor generates what might be called a "halo-effect," a feeling of well-being that becomes attached to the products being advertised."

I think it's fascinating that people were afraid to make people laugh. To me it seems like the best way to break the ice is to say something funny, or make something funny and get a laugh out of people. Advertisers now realize that distracting people by humor really hides the fact that they are being manipulated.

2) What do you think were the authors key points?

- Economic influence
-Targeted groups, and who targets them
-Visceral and Behavioral components.
-Social and Cultural impact

3) Why is it important to have psychological understanding when it comes to advertising?

If the advertising agencies don't think about the consumers, then their products won't sell. It's crucial to think about the audience and how they will react to the ad. If they don't like it, chances are the product will flop. If you want to influence and manipulate people, you are going to have to think how they think, and furthermore make a plan attuned to their thoughts and reactions.

November 16, 2009

1) Fashion is reflective whether you want it to be or not. No matter what you wear you give off an "element of style". For example, when you want to be wearing comfortable clothes on a sunday while doing homework, you emit that "style" even when you are going for a purely behavioral element, the reflective qualities are still there. Fashion has always been a way for people to make a statement about themselves, especially during first impressions. It's natural for people to want to say something about themselves without actually having to say it... because how annoying would that get?

2) Fashion evolves simply because people do. Pop-culture plays a huge role in the change of what's "in-style". There are always people who want to have the latest and greatest, therefore supply meets demand. If a large population of people want something, chances are they will get it.

3) When you make a garment consider:

-who will wear it

-price

-when will it be worn, and for what purpose?

- quality

- style

-comfort and fit

Thesis Statement

Enhancements are equally important as innovative technology.

November 6, 2009

I think that Downtown Kalamazoo gets a thumbs up for overall appearance and structure. It has an old historic feeling yet, still maintains a feel of "new". The brick also gives an old time feel' There are some things I would change with accessibility. Although downtown remains very pedestrian-friendly... the one way streets, angled streets, and limited access to downtown do not allow automobile traffic to flow easily. I would change some of the landscaping and picnic tables... the tables didn't really match the rest of the area and seemed strange to have round tables in the area. I would also make sure that all the stores were clearly labled, or at least opened (or had lights on) at a designated opening-time.

November 2, 2009

1) List the criteria Robert Gibbs uses to evaluate a Main Street.

-aesthetic appeal/beauty, yet not too distracting

-generators: places (like parks) that draw consumers and businesses to the area, and into the vacant stores

-successful stores, that convey a message of importance and status

-color scheme/palette and enhancements: simplicity is key, less is more

-flow of traffic: the way streets are set up needs to easy for cars and pedestrians and to avoid confusion, but keep people in the area

-recognizable stores, big names: people enjoy smaller, unique stores but shop more at well-known, department stores

2) Think critically of Gibbs' argument. Do you think "Main Street" should be a mall?

I dont think that Main Street will ever be seen as a mall to consumers. Although, there are many similarities between the two, most of the people who shop in both environments do not relate the two besides the fact that they both allow a place for retailers to sell their products. If you overlook the fact that Main Street is "outside" and has some smaller store names, the mall and Main Street try to convey the same message. It's a matter of location and environment, they both have the same concept and qualities. They are almost identical in classification, but simply are different species.

3) Make your own checklist to judge a Main Street. What things do you think are important?

I agree with Gibbs....

-aesthetic appeal/beauty, yet not too distracting

-generators: places (like parks) that draw consumers and businesses to the area, and into the vacant stores

-successful stores, that convey a message of importance and status

-color scheme/palette and enhancements: simplicity is key, less is more

-flow of traffic: the way streets are set up needs to easy for cars and pedestrians and to avoid confusion, but keep people in the area

-recognizable stores, big names: people enjoy smaller, unique stores but shop more at well-known, department stores

but I think that having a concept or theme to build a shopping environment around, is crucial and needs to be executed perfectly in order to be truly successful. The architect needs to make sure that everyone is on the same page when developing the complex, and paying attention to the finer details as well as the larger ones.

October 30, 2009

1) To what extent is packaging important in marketing a product? Give an example of how a package influenced your decision to buy (or not to buy) something.

Packaging is a crucial factor in triggering an initial response in a consumer and general concept of a product. Whether it be recognizing a particular brand, color scheme, or unique shapes, there is something that catches our eye. Generally when I go shopping in a grocery store I compare prices between products, if the two products have the same qualities and are similar in price, typically I will choose the brand I recognize as being trustworthy and has a reputation of satisfaction. Marketing a product with a logo and a slogan reinforces the general idea the company wants you to see when you look at their product on the shelves. For example, I have seen the progresso vs. campbell's harvest select commercials on tv (produced my cambpell's), during the advertismement there are people holding the can's so you can see the labels talking about MSG in the progresso and the fact that campbell's contains no MSG (which it says it on the label). To this day I refuse to buy pregresso or eat it, and when I see those blue progresso cans on the shelves sometimes I can feel myself almost scoffing at the sheer idea of purchasing them.

2) What other products have iconic packaging?

The first thing that popped into my mind was a tiny, teal/aquamarine box with a white ribbon tied around it. Most women (and men with excellent taste) will recognize this as little box as Tiffany's, a jeweler who has perfected the concept of iconic packaging. So well in fact, that most women have a general idea of what's in the box and squeal in delight at the sheer sight of them.

3) What usability issues exist for packaging? Give examples of particularly good or bad packaging from a usability perspective.

Packaging is clearly important in marketing a product, otherwise there wouldn't be so many jobs and professions in packaging and so much money, time, and effort put in to the exterior elements of a product. Although, the true professionals recognize that there has to be a balance between form and funtion. If a product projects the function or purpose of something and is aethestically contradicting then the user will be confused, or turned-off. For example, if a carpenter went into a hardware store looking for a some g]Gorilla Glue and a salesperson directed them to an area with shiny,pink boxes the carpenter would definitely have to take a closer look and read what was inside the boxes. There are certain products that should look glamorous and others that should look plain dependent upon the purpose and image the product is trying to relay.

October 26, 2009

Observing "Gander Mountain"

I observered Cabelas, a store who targets those who enjoy the outdoors, especially hunters.

Cabela's attempts to appeal to the rustic side of people, with a simple front with outdoor-features like stone and wood accents.

Once inside the store, you see more wood objects with a some of brushed metal accents, the store feels large and expansive. The merchandise is laid-out on tables and on shelves for easy access, some of the merchandise is held in glass cases with intricate displays of dead animals.

The cashier area mocks the rest of the store and is also really easy to access.

Cabela's tries to appeal to those who like to hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors, like things simple, and concise (majority of male hunters)

October 14, 2009

What points from this article do you feel are most important?

Finding the equilibrium: making sure the consumer feels comfortable enough in the environment to not recognize the uncomfortable feelings.

Know the consumer/audience: male vs. female, typical behavior, psycological/emotional/physical tendencies

Environment/subtle details: understand the space, create an aura, portray a "personality" with design

"Typing": predict products people purchase-in a way it's stereotyping, quizzes or regional grouping, "Market Mavens"- job to shop and resist pitches, new factor for typing analysts.

How much do you personally feel you are influenced by a store's design?

Although I truly try to make myself aware of possible "traps" in a commercial setting, I know that much to my dismay I succumb to the tactical and strategic booby-traps set up by the store. Personally, I feel better about breaking-down when I am shopping and conscious of the store's design. Whereas, after I make my purchase, it is then I relect and I realize how I was manipulated... leaving me feeling ashamed and guilty.

Make a checklist you could use to analyze a retail store like Paco Underhill does.

pay attention to the following:

My feelings & instincts

Who the design is targeting? Am I being manipulated? How much time am I spending in the store? What am I doing in the store?

typical behavior, psycological/emotional/physical tendencies of people like me in this setting

Environment/subtle details: understanding the space, creating an aura, portraying a "personality" with design

getting in and getting out as quickly as possible... resisting sales-pitches and other tempations

October 11, 2009

How does this reading relate to the concept of user-focused design that we have discussed in class?

In class we have spent a great deal of time expressing the importance of designing a product or idea with the purpose of satisfying the consumer. I think that if Vincent Flanders were present during our many discussions he would agree. The bottom line is if the "user", or consumer, isn't convinced whatever it is that was designed will not be successful. In the article we read, Flanders stated that if the person using the website cannot figure out how to use it in four seconds, it's a crappy design. The same is true with other designs as well, such as; doors, handles, and faucets. These objects are designed to require little thought, or so one would think. There is a period of time associated with all designs that allows the user to figure out how the object functions, if the product takes too long to understand then it's categorized as unsuccessful.

What points do you feel are most important?

-distinct purpose, easily navigable

-contrast: text/background, proportional/balanced

-if commercial, website is part (not all) of marketing strategy

-concise and clearly labeled tabs: a --> b

-website fulfills purpose, functional

-"heroin appeal", hook, line, and sinker with audience (content)

-time and a place for everything (text, graphics, links, etc.)

-no bull, keep it short and sweet. pointed.

-know where you're headed, give user a heads up/clues

-no one cares what tools you use to make the site great, people care if they can accomplish what needs to be done

Create your own list of important design factors for a webpage.

Personally, the list that I created above seems like a list of important designs factors. Although, I would make sure that my site's overall appearance coordinated with the purpose and making sure the information was relevant and coherent, as few advertisements as possible, no bullshit.

October 10, 2009

What do you think are the author's main points in this article?

I think that Schiff wrote this article on the premises of two main points. Basically that Wikipedia started out as a cultural experiment of sorts. The results coming in strongly in favor of wikipedia, and what it has to offer. Our generation sees wikipedia as a source of information that is trustworthy. But what Schiff tried to express in this article is how shaky wikipedia can be. This being the other main point of the article. The author tried to highlight the fact that wikipedia is written by the people, for the people, and to exercise caution when deciding whether or not the information is believable or just plain ridiculous.

An important part of credible writing is selecting good supporting evidence. Select a passage from this article that illustrates the effective use of supporting detail. Explain why you think it is particularly effective.

"Is Wikipedia accurate? Last year, Nature published a survey comparing forty-two entries on scientific topics on Wikipedia with their counterparts in Encyclopædia Britannica. According to the survey, Wikipedia had four errors for every three of Britannica’s, a result that, oddly, was hailed as a triumph for the upstart. Such exercises in nitpicking are relatively meaningless, as no reference work is infallible. Britannica issued a public statement refuting the survey’s findings, and took out a half-page advertisement in the Times, which said, in part, “Britannica has never claimed to be error-free. We have a reputation not for unattainable perfection but for strong scholarship, sound judgment, and disciplined editorial review.” Later, Jorge Cauz, Britannica’s president, told me in an e-mail that if Wikipedia continued without some kind of editorial oversight it would “decline into a hulking mediocre mass of uneven, unreliable, and, many times, unreadable articles.” Wales has said that he would consider Britannica a competitor, “except that I think they will be crushed out of existence within five years.” "

I think that this section very effectively illustrates the use of effective detail. The beginning of the paragraph starts out with a question, and then the rest of the paragraph answers it. The author uses statistics and quotations for emphasis, as well as, enriching the article with depictions.

Throughout the article, the author compares Wikipedia to the Encyclopedia Britannica, but not specifically on design. How would you compare the two encyclopedias from a design perspective?

Well to be perfectly honest, although wikipedia was proven to have 4 errors to Britannia's 3, I think that wikipedia is more appealing to consumers. I think the fact it costs nothing to use wikipedia makes it appeal to more people. Although the encyclopedias give you a sense of reflective design post-purchase, wikipedia is accessible to anyone, anywhere via internet. For a society who is always on the go, wikipedia is much more cohesive with the lifestyle of the majority of us.

October 1, 2009

1. What do you think are the author's three most important points?

I think that three key points I could take away from the reading were: knowing your audience, simplicity, and being prepared. Knowing your audience is crucial when you are developing your game plan. If you underestimate or overestimate the knowlege of the people you are presenting too, the crowd may lose interest. Keeping the information concise and presenting with confidence makes the presentation run smoother, and therefore simpler. Alas, being prepared for the presentation makes or breaks the arrangement. It is crucial to anticipate and be pro-active before and during the pitch.

2. How might you apply his advice to your own presentation?

Now that I am aware of what to do and what not to do, I can arrange my presentation with my partner more efficiently and cater to the audience I will be presenting to.

3. What do you think presentation has in common with product design?

Overlooking the fact that they are both pre-meditated, presentation and product design are similar in the aspect of targeting a certain audience, managing contstraints, and producing something that is functional and still has appeal.

September 30, 2009

1) Select a brief passage from Chapter Three Emotional Design by Donald Norman and post it on your blog. Explain why you thought it was interesting.

"There are two kinds of product development: enhancement and innovation. Enhancement means to take some existing product or service and make it better. Innovation provides a completely new way of doing something, or a completely new thing to do, something that was not possible before. Of the two, enhancements are much easier."

I found this particular section interesting enough to share it with my father, who is an inventor of sorts. He holds seven or so different patents on plastic products, most of which are enhancements. Although enhancements are easier to develop, they are equally as important as innovations. I believe that enhancements lead to innovative technology and ideas. Therefore, most designers have to take baby-steps in order to produce something so profound that society refers to it as "innovative".

2) Norman uses the terms Visceral Design, Behavioral Design, Reflective Design. Do these categories seem useful to you? Would other names or phrases make the categories clearer?

I think that the categories of Emotional Design, as Norman labels them, are extremely useful. They allow people to separate and classify products and ideas by qualities that they possess. Personally, if I were a designer, I would refer to the three terms Norman uses: Visceral Design, Behavioral Design, and Reflective Design to evaluate whatever it may be that I'm creating.

3) How could a designer decide if Visceral Design, Behavioral Design, or Reflective Design is more important for a particular product? Are some types of products more visceral, behavioral, or reflective?

I think that most designers are contracted by another, larger company to create their products. So in those cases most companies have a general idea or reputation they want the designers to follow. But, there are also designers who have free-reign and can decide what they want their product to embody, demonstrate, or exude.

There are absolutely products that are designed to be more visceral, behavioral, or reflective. In class, we compared sweat-pants to tight-fitting designer jeans. Clearly, sweat-pants are designed to be functional whereas, the designer jeans are designed to be more viscerally attractive.

September 28, 2009

What do you feel were the author's key points in the chapter?

The article that we read over this weekend had three main themes: visceral design, behavioral design, and reflective design. Norman discussed how people are attracted to certain products based on these three elements. The way things look, the way they make you feel, and how they function.

How does this chapter compare to the earlier writing (The Design of Everyday Things) by the same author?

When I read this article I thought it was another chapter from the same book the other chapter came from. The psychological and emotional aspects of design are extremely similar. Both focus on how people respond, react, and relate to different designs.

Give examples, from your own experience, of 1) something that succeeds as Visceral Design, 2) something that succeeds as Behavioral Design, and 3) a Reflective Design success? What do you think makes each thing successful?

1,2,3) Every year my family goes to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). I think that the concept of the having hundreds new automobiles from all over the world in one building is a perfect example of success in all three categories. The Visceral Design element is blatantly obvious. All the shiny, sleek cars under the spotlights with attractive men and women readily available to answer any question you may have about anything makes people stop and stare at least for a few seconds. But the Behavioral Design is also prevalent. When you sit inside a car at NAIAS, you get some receptive feedback. People may find themselves thinking, about the features as a whole or something as little as the clock on the dashboard, or even trunk space and how it will be utilized and how easily it can be done. The reflective design can be seen in the innovative concept cars. Every year it is interesting to see how they can make something so crazy looking, and still be functional.

September 25, 2009

Select a brief passage from Chapter One of The Design of Everyday Things (Donald Norman) and post it on your blog. Explain why you thought it was interesting.

"The development of a technology tends to follow a U-shaped curve of complexity: starting high; dropping to a low, comfortable level; then climbing again. New kinds of devices are complex and difficult to use. As technicians become more competent and an industry matures, devices become simpler, more reliable, and more powerful. But then, after the industry has stabilized, newcomers figure out how to add increased complexity power and capability, but always at the expense of added complexity sometimes decreased reliability."

This particular section really intrigued me. The more I thought about certain products, the more I realized just how true this section is. Take the cell phones, iPods, cameras, or stereo systems for example, society's demand has always been high but, the technology has followed in the pattern that was stated in the article and will probably continue to increase in complexity.

Norman's book was first published in 1988 and it still influences designers today. Why do you think this book continues to be influential 20 years later?

Norman's book is still popular because the theories he had are still relevant to the way in which our society functions. Unless society undergoes a drastic change, his book will continue to relevant in the design process.

Based on this chapter, what factors would you include on a checklist for evaluating the design of a product?

My checklist would include:

- testing my product out

- meet requirements? regulations?
- safe/comfortable?
- is it affordable? (cost)
- does it fulfill its purpose?

- is my product attractive?(aesthetics)

- easiliy manufactured?

- are the materials durable?

September 23, 2009

What do you think were some of the author's key points in this chapter?

I think that the author tried to accentuate several different aspects in the reading. The article was based on the premises of the psychology behind the product. The simplicity and ease of using the product is vitally important to its success. The affordability of the product, the perceived use, is the first judgement people make about whatever it is they are looking at. Constraints and mappings are also crucial to use and functionality of the product.

Think of a specific object that you have had difficulty using. How did design contribute to making it difficult to use? Does the usability problem arise from one of the principles that Norman discusses in this chapter?

My families van has the most confusing air conditioning system. There are far to many buttons and settings, the buttons are spaced out and not clearly labeled. The system is far too complicated to try and use without proper training. The usability problem arose from all of the principles that Norman discussed in the chapter. Poor affordability, mapping, and constraints are all contributers to a confusing air-conditioning system.

How did the designers of the iPod address the principles that Norman discusses here?

In the previous article that we read you can see the same themes that Norman discussed in this article. For example, Steve Jobs wanted a simple design that was easily operated (affordablility), as well as having constraints like size and cost, and they certainly considered the mapping of the scroll-wheel.

September 21, 2009

What elements of the design process does this article illustrate?

I believe that "The Perfect Thing" touched on several different aspects of the design process. For example; in order to create a better products you need to go through a process of elimination to conclude which characteristics work, and which don't. Choosing the materials to make the product is also a necessity. The materials effect the cost and the appearance, as well as numerous other characteristics. In this particular article, the author seems to focus on the people who were involved in evolving the iPod. Therefore, one would also need to find a team of people who are qualified and can work cooperatively.

What factors would you use to evaluate a "perfect thing"?

Personally I would consider the materials my product would be made out of. I would also think about the purpose of my "perfect thing". For example the population of people who would use it, and the environment where they would be using it. Another aspect i think is crucial would be the economical factors and how it would be produced.

Whether you own an iPod or not, you probably have some opinions of this product. What do you fee are its strengths and weaknesses?

Personally I own two iPods, I have a first generation iPod video 60 GB, and a second generation iPod Touch 16 GB. When I purchased my first iPod I was really excited to have the video capability, after a while I learned the the bulk of the product was something that I viewed as a flaw. The memory was great too especially because the capacity for videos was something I thought I needed but, unfortunately I didn't. As for my iPod touch, it's got to be love. The sleek design with a touch screen is practically flawless. The size seems perfect to fit in one hand and for all the applications. The characteristic I find the most useful are the applications. As the advertisements say there really is an app for everything. The only thing I think would make the iTouch better is a video and sound recorder (but that's is what the iPhone is for right?). Apple has truly mastered the production, marketing, and quality of their products.