March seems to be a busy month this year as well … however we see us at the DMI Conference in Amsterdam, right? In the meantime via Bruce Nussbaum I’ve been directed to this nice parody on (by!) Microsoft and packaging design called “Microsoft Re-Designs the iPod Packaging”. While watching the highly entertaining video it instantly reminded me on a design management team (marketeers, packaging designers, managers, controllers, corporate communication, etc.) sitting around a table each of them claiming their stakes (grin …).
While I suppose most of us tend to favour the Apple packaging design (at least I do recalling the moment I’ve unwrapped my iPod nano …) the Microsoft packaging design clearly seems to fulfill its purpose and supports MS success story. And this is what many of us sometimes forget (and what good design management helps to overcome) when it comes to what Peter Merholz recently called “Design Appropriateness - When is Ugly Okay?”
Michael Says:
March 20th, 2006 at 18:16Visit Michael
There seems to be a natural instinct to lobby for one’s preferred design conventions without regard at times to the unique objectives (strategic and otherwise) of the given project. It was refreshing to read your words, “the Microsoft packaging design clearly seems to fulfill its purpose and supports MS success story”.
When I show pictures at my presentations of the Scion xB people will say, “ugly” or “why would anyone want to buy that ugly car”. But of course people do want to buy the Scion xB. I always praise the poor soul that silently says “I think they are cute.”
In this case someone with good design management insights (perhaps one of your readers!) stated the objective as “this car will be interesting before it is beautiful”. And it is.
Is this a form of arrogance that comes from the design community at times unknowingly?
Or is it simply human to lobby for what we like. Just as students find a favorite teachers lectures just right for them and seek to model their teaching after that favorite prof, perhaps it is just natural to think that what works for “me” works for everyone.
Thanks for the posting - as always, keep creating, M
Ralf Beuker Says:
April 6th, 2006 at 21:50Visit Ralf Beuker
… your insights are highly appreciated; as always, Mike :-)
Thanks, Ralf.