Design Excellence: Philips Fidelio DS9000 Docking Speaker

In an over - saturated market of iPod docks and docking speakers, I was surprised at the quality, detail, and beauty that was achieved in the design of this product. Philips were treating the docking system as a new sort of "exclusive product," and dressed it accordingly with a rich timber shell, sensuous curves and chrome highlights.

Using this process of product form analysis, I learnt a lot more about the design intent of this technological product. Often we are bombarded with the technological features and aspects of the design - and this one was no different - though, in observing the form or the object, an insight was gained into the designer's intent, and how he perceived a music device should be shaped and presented in 2011.

Annie Leonard: The Story of Stuff

The Story of Stuff is essential viewing for any in the design industry, especially industrial designers. Although simple in its approach, it conveys the important ideas and values of recyclability, renewability, forest regeneration, government intervention and design for prolonged use which we must consider when it is our turn to create a new object and release it into society.

 As Leonard emphasises, gone are the days where products are designed just for pleasure, entertainment or constructive use. We, as designers must delve much deeper to plan out the experience and life which encompasses the product, and how it will be used to its obsolescence. Yes, this may take more time and thought, thought the results that are achieved outweigh all this.

The Story of Stuff provides a short, punchy insight into how the environment, economy and consumers respond to “stuff,” and acts as a great reminder to us all about factors that we become complacent with and tend to forget during our day to day lives. I was amazed at how small a number of toxic chemicals were actually tested before use, and that many of them have not been tested in partnership with one another to see what the reaction would be.

Also, something that was interesting and slightly disturbing was the fact that some pillow brands were using neurotoxins to improve its flame – retardant qualities. Although my current pillow is mad of natural components, I will definitely be looking out in the future to avoid purchasing such goods.

I’ve always shunned the idea of planned obsolescence, a concept introduced to me while I was studying Business at school last year, and frankly do not see its value in our world today, or any time previously for that matter. It makes you wonder how, after such true and convincing evidence that our resources and state of living is in decline, people and industries maintain the same work and production ethic, holding a blind eye to it all.

David Kelley: Human Centred Design

I think that there is real merit in understanding the ways a human interacts with a product and vice - versa. In an age where technology is leading innovation, it is essential that designers continue to employ the human being as the central focus.

In his 2002 TED talk, David Kelley presents a number of interesting case studies which help to explain the human centred nature of product design which has been evolving through the past 18 years. More as a prediction of what was to come, Kelley’s ideas were somewhat forward thinking at the time, concepts which we see incorporated in design extensively today.

He presents work completed for new Prada stores which are focused on creating a more immersive and engaging experience between the consumer and the clothing item he or she chooses. This includes bespoke RFID tag remote controls that can capture the clothing data and present it on screens displayed around the store. In conjunction with this, scanners in the changing rooms collect and present information and detail about the clothing items that were chosen to be tried on. Another interesting feature was the use of liquid crystal glass screens which turned opaque when a floor button was pushed. I’ve seen this technology now moving into the domestic environment, chosen as a unique was to achieve privacy and maintain an open – plan – like space.

In collaboration with Scott Adams, Kelley was asked to design the “ultimate cubicle for Dilbert,” and through the explanation of this process it was reiterated that a human engages more deeply with a product that can give something back – a pleasurable feel, appearance, an emotive response or recognisable action. Furthermore, although sometimes perceived as kitsch or dated, it is the personal items which, when used to accessorise the design, actually transform a cubicle space into a more user friendly environment – items that are recognised and have treasured value.

From this talk a lot can be taken away, though I believe the two most important factors are that humans form natural attachments to items of value or significance, and that an item needs to be engaging, designed with the human as the central focus.   

Don Norman - Emotional Design

Watching Don Norman’s TED talk, an insight was gained into the way in which humans react and interact with objects and situations in everyday life. Focusing on products, Norman reiterates the importance of Emotional Design and how it can be effectively adapted to engage consumers with products. He splits Emotional Design into 3 sub – categories: visceral, behavioural and reflective, of which visceral and behavioural are subconscious responses to stimuli.

Norman presents a great example of visceral interaction with products, explaining how people often reuse glass bottles and wine bottles to display flowers or fill them up with another liquid - proof that the bottle and its content was not solely purchased for the content inside as with other grocery or consumable items, but because of its perceived beauty.

Interestingly, Norman raises a point about how pleasure through specific product design can sometimes dampen the impact of poor functionality, and uses the E – Type Jaguar (now exhibited at MoMA) as an example. This may be the case with some product design where beauty domineers, but I personally believe that there should be equality between functionality and beauty in design.

Besides this, it was interesting to learn that the “happier” we are feeling, the more abstract our thoughts and thought processes become – a valuable asset during brain storming sessions. Contrary to this, anxiety also influences our thought patterns, enabling strong focus and rational thought, useful when under time constraints or deadlines to complete tasks.   

Ultimately, what I took away from this talk was how strong bonds and emotional responses can be formed between humans and products, and the importance of implementing elements of “fun” and enjoyment in design. Emotional Design, now more than ever can make or break a product. As well as functionality, image and ego (reflective responses) also play large roles in the success of a design and must also be taken into consideration.

I believe designers are looking to create a unique “experience” through consumer interaction with their product, and no matter how subtle or empowering this experience may be, it can only be achieved with an understanding of human behaviour, and emotional response.

“So Jake Cress is this furniture maker,and he makes this unbelievable set of furniture.And this is his chair with claw, and the poor little chair has lost its ball and it’s trying to get it back before anybody notices. And what’s so neat about it is how you accept that story. And that’s what’s nice about emotion.”

 I chose the quote above as the most outstanding as it demonstrated the effect of emotional response in a live audience as they viewed the piece of furniture on the display. Laughter began even before Norman began speaking and it was clear that the audience had understood the playfulness achieved by the designer.