Friday, October 30, 2009

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.

Monday, October 26, 2009

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)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

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

Sunday, October 11, 2009

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.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

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.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

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.