The Perfect Thing

1. What elements of the design process does this article illustrate?
This article fully illustrates the design process by explaining the creation of the iPod. The process first begins with ideas and brainstorming. Several MP3 players had been created at this point but Apple was looking to add to the simple MP3 player. Several ideas were being thrown around such as more capacity, better durability and visual attractiveness. The iPod was not created by just one person. It took the collaboration of several people and hundreds of ideas to eventually make what we now know as the iPod. The original design of the iPod was created by a simple foam core and fishing weights. Apple then added several new dimensions to the iPod that the simple MP3 players did not contain such as the wheel, visual screen and extended battery life. Eventually, the final product was created and ready for sale.

2. What factors would you use to evaluate a "perfect thing"?
To begin with a "perfect thing" must work and function properly. Other factors that would be an advantage to the owner would be durability, size, weight and visual attractiveness. Also the cost of an item would be one of the biggest factors considering if it is not affordable then all other factors are irrelevant .

3. Whether you own an iPod or not, you probably have some opinions of this product. What do you feel are its strengths and weaknesses?
I personally have never owned an iPod, but I have owned an MP3 player and have had a lot of contact with iPods. I feel that the iPod is a very great product and many owners of iPods have been very happy with their purchase. The good things about iPods is that they are very compact, durable and functional. They contain a lot of memory in such a small device. The only negative things I have ever experienced or heard of with an iPod is the battery life and occasionally the issue of the screen freezing. Besides these minor issues I find the iPod to be a very good product.