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.
I think that packaging is one of the most important aspects of marketing a product. Packaging speaks for itself and there is no need for someone to try to convince you that the product is good. Packaging brings the consumer in and buy itself is a very big part of whether or not the consumer will purchase the product. The products use and abilities are still more important then the packaging, but it is still plays a very large role. I have been influenced to buy something based on its package when I know there is something I want. For example if I know I want to go to the store to buy deodorant, but I don't really care what kind, I will most likely buy the kind with the most appealing package.
2. What other products have iconic packaging?
Other products that I believe have iconic packaging are McDonald's french fries and Gatorade. The french fries container is known all over the world. The red and yellow container catches your eye and you know it is from McDonald's. The shape of the container is also very recognizable. A Gatorade bottle is like no other bottle. It is plastic like most soda and water bottles, but with a much different shape. The rounded top gives it a different look that sets itself apart from all other bottles. Also the design of the wrapper makes it very appealing. The lightning bolt and color of the wrapper let you know the flavor of the Gatorade.
3. What usability issues exist for packaging? Give examples of particularly good or bad packaging from a usability perspective.
When I think of bad packaging design I think of products that are packaged in tight plastic such as batteries and electronics. This plastic cannot be opened by hand. Instead you must use scissors or a knife to get the package open. When you do get the package open you must deal with the sharp edges of the plastic. I think there would be a much easier way to package items other then this rough plastic.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Retail Analysis
1. What store did you observe? Who do they market to?
I evaluated Banana Republic. Their market is for adults both men and women.
2. Briefly describe the following
a. appearance of store entrance:
From the outside the store looks very clean and professional. I noticed that there were not any crazy colors. It was mostly black and tan colors, but was still very appealing to the eye.
b. sounds:
The store was constantly playing music that was soft, but loud enough to hear. The music was very upbeat and interesting. I did not recognize the songs, but it seemed like they were from an older genre.
c. how the merchandise is displayed:
The majority of the merchandise was displayed on tables and on the wall. There were a few racks throughout the store, but very spaced out. The tables were black and made the clothes really stand out. On the walls the clothes were hung up and did not have much depth to them. Meaning there was not a lot of clothes behind a certain type of shirt or piece of clothing.
d. floors:
The floors were wooden and seemed very professional. They were clean throughout the entire store and were finished.
e. signs:
There were signs throughout the store representing the type of clothing that was being sold. Some of the signs included denim, cords, chino, mix & match, and business with style. Along with these signs there were also signs that would show which pieces of clothing were on sale.
f. cashier area:
The cashier area was in the middle left part of the store, splitting the men's section in half. There were three registers and one person working at the registers at that time. The registers and check out area seemed very clean.
3. What image does this business try to project? Give specific examples of design elements that reflect this image.
This store tries to project a very professional and business type of atmosphere. The racks and clothes are all spaced out nicely and everything is very classy. The trim and colors are black and tan and make for an adult store. The wooden floors also give the adult store feeling.
4. How did customers interact with various elements of the store's design?
The thing that I saw that the customers interacted mostly with store was obviously the clothes. All of the clothes were spaced out very well. Every rack, table or wall display had plenty of room to navigate around and take the time to thoroughly look at the clothing. Other elements of the store's design were the colors and sounds. Both of them seemed very adult like and professional. I already explained the colors, but the music was also very professional. It was not too loud and was very relaxing to me.
5. What did you find interesting about the design of this store?
The thing that impacted me the most in this store were the colors and the sounds. However, the smells of the store and the temperature were also very big factors for me. The store was at a perfect temperature and made it very easy for me to stay in the store. Also the smell of the store made me want to stay. The space that was available to navigate made this store extra relaxing.
I evaluated Banana Republic. Their market is for adults both men and women.
2. Briefly describe the following
a. appearance of store entrance:
From the outside the store looks very clean and professional. I noticed that there were not any crazy colors. It was mostly black and tan colors, but was still very appealing to the eye.
b. sounds:
The store was constantly playing music that was soft, but loud enough to hear. The music was very upbeat and interesting. I did not recognize the songs, but it seemed like they were from an older genre.
c. how the merchandise is displayed:
The majority of the merchandise was displayed on tables and on the wall. There were a few racks throughout the store, but very spaced out. The tables were black and made the clothes really stand out. On the walls the clothes were hung up and did not have much depth to them. Meaning there was not a lot of clothes behind a certain type of shirt or piece of clothing.
d. floors:
The floors were wooden and seemed very professional. They were clean throughout the entire store and were finished.
e. signs:
There were signs throughout the store representing the type of clothing that was being sold. Some of the signs included denim, cords, chino, mix & match, and business with style. Along with these signs there were also signs that would show which pieces of clothing were on sale.
f. cashier area:
The cashier area was in the middle left part of the store, splitting the men's section in half. There were three registers and one person working at the registers at that time. The registers and check out area seemed very clean.
3. What image does this business try to project? Give specific examples of design elements that reflect this image.
This store tries to project a very professional and business type of atmosphere. The racks and clothes are all spaced out nicely and everything is very classy. The trim and colors are black and tan and make for an adult store. The wooden floors also give the adult store feeling.
4. How did customers interact with various elements of the store's design?
The thing that I saw that the customers interacted mostly with store was obviously the clothes. All of the clothes were spaced out very well. Every rack, table or wall display had plenty of room to navigate around and take the time to thoroughly look at the clothing. Other elements of the store's design were the colors and sounds. Both of them seemed very adult like and professional. I already explained the colors, but the music was also very professional. It was not too loud and was very relaxing to me.
5. What did you find interesting about the design of this store?
The thing that impacted me the most in this store were the colors and the sounds. However, the smells of the store and the temperature were also very big factors for me. The store was at a perfect temperature and made it very easy for me to stay in the store. Also the smell of the store made me want to stay. The space that was available to navigate made this store extra relaxing.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Science of Shopping
1. What points from this article do you feel are most important?
There were two points about good store design that I thought were very important. The first was Paco's idea about stores being on the right. I thought that his airport example was very true. I know that I would definitely be willing to cross the aisle to get something to eat, however, I may not cross just to browse in a store. However, if the store was on my right side I may take a minute to go inside and possibly make a purchase. The second point was his idea about clothes being placed on tables. If the clothes are placed on tables, like in Gap, then the customer is much more likely to pick up the item and feel it. The more interaction the customer has with the item, the more likely he or she is to buy it.
2. How much do you personally feel you are influenced by a store's design?
I personally don't feel very influenced by a store's design simply because I don't like to shop. When I go shopping I know what I am going to purchase. It is nice to have things organized to help me find it; however, most of the the time I know exactly what I am looking for and where I need to go.
3. Make a check list you could use to analyze a retail store like Paco Underhill does.
-What is the purpose of this store?
-Why is this store intriguing to me?
-What do I first notice about the store?
-How does the layout of the store help me?
-Is there helpful clues to aid in my search for an item?
There were two points about good store design that I thought were very important. The first was Paco's idea about stores being on the right. I thought that his airport example was very true. I know that I would definitely be willing to cross the aisle to get something to eat, however, I may not cross just to browse in a store. However, if the store was on my right side I may take a minute to go inside and possibly make a purchase. The second point was his idea about clothes being placed on tables. If the clothes are placed on tables, like in Gap, then the customer is much more likely to pick up the item and feel it. The more interaction the customer has with the item, the more likely he or she is to buy it.
2. How much do you personally feel you are influenced by a store's design?
I personally don't feel very influenced by a store's design simply because I don't like to shop. When I go shopping I know what I am going to purchase. It is nice to have things organized to help me find it; however, most of the the time I know exactly what I am looking for and where I need to go.
3. Make a check list you could use to analyze a retail store like Paco Underhill does.
-What is the purpose of this store?
-Why is this store intriguing to me?
-What do I first notice about the store?
-How does the layout of the store help me?
-Is there helpful clues to aid in my search for an item?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Mistakes in Web Design
1. How does this reading relate to the concept of user-focused design that we have discussed in class?
This article relates to the topics we have discussed in class because you should focus your content on the main points you want to get across to the reader. There is no need to add unwanted information in the writing or presentation. The concept of have a good web design follows many of the same principles for other things such as a good presentation. You should focus on your main points and completely explain them. Other skills such as content, good contrast and keeping it simple for the reader are also very important in web design.
2. What points do you feel are the most important?
The two points in this article that I think are the most important are "A man from Mars can't figure out what your web site is about in four seconds" and "Site lacks heroin content." The first major point shows that you must get your main point across immediately. You should be able to view a website that you have never attended before and know what it is about within a few seconds. This forces the producer of the site to get his point across immediately and focus his attention on what he wants the viewer to learn. The second main point makes the reader want to come back to the site after they have visited it. The website should have great appeal and be very user-friendly.
3. Create your own list of important design factors for a webpage.
1. Simplicity
2. Focus on main points
3. Content
4. User-Friendly
5. Attractiveness/Contrast
6. Links to pages (Not one page!!!!)
7. Low text/More Pics
This article relates to the topics we have discussed in class because you should focus your content on the main points you want to get across to the reader. There is no need to add unwanted information in the writing or presentation. The concept of have a good web design follows many of the same principles for other things such as a good presentation. You should focus on your main points and completely explain them. Other skills such as content, good contrast and keeping it simple for the reader are also very important in web design.
2. What points do you feel are the most important?
The two points in this article that I think are the most important are "A man from Mars can't figure out what your web site is about in four seconds" and "Site lacks heroin content." The first major point shows that you must get your main point across immediately. You should be able to view a website that you have never attended before and know what it is about within a few seconds. This forces the producer of the site to get his point across immediately and focus his attention on what he wants the viewer to learn. The second main point makes the reader want to come back to the site after they have visited it. The website should have great appeal and be very user-friendly.
3. Create your own list of important design factors for a webpage.
1. Simplicity
2. Focus on main points
3. Content
4. User-Friendly
5. Attractiveness/Contrast
6. Links to pages (Not one page!!!!)
7. Low text/More Pics
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Know it All
1. What do you think were the author's main points in this article?
In Schiffs article "Know it All" she describes the Wikipedia website and compares it to the Encyclopedia Britannica. I believe her main points in this were about the community of Wikipedia and the reliability of the information. First of all, Wikipedia is not created by experts or professionals. Wikipedia is a collection of articles posted and edited by everyday people. Wikipedia contains over one millions articles, mostly composed by people sitting at home on their computers. This leads into Schiff's next point of reliability. Since Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, can you trust the content that is in the article? However, Schiff explains that the text is edited and re-edited every minute to ensure the correct information is being posted. Although there are some vandals, Wikipedia management try's to dispose of their edits and post the correct content.
2. 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.
The real work at Wikipedia takes place not in Florida but on thousands of computer screens across the world. Perhaps Wikipedia’s greatest achievement—one that Wales did not fully anticipate—was the creation of a community. Wikipedians are officially anonymous, contributing to unsigned entries under screen names. They are also predominantly male—about eighty per cent, Wales says—and compulsively social, conversing with each other not only on the talk pages attached to each entry but on Wikipedia-dedicated I.R.C. channels and on user pages, which regular contributors often create and which serve as a sort of personalized office cooler. On the page of a twenty-year-old Wikipedian named Arocoun, who lists “philosophizing” among his favorite activities, messages from other users range from the reflective (“I’d argue against your claim that humans should aim to be independent/self-reliant in all aspects of their lives . . . I don’t think true independence is a realistic ideal given all the inherent intertwinings of any society”) to the geekily flirtatious (“I’m a neurotic painter from Ohio, and I guess if you consider your views radical, then I’m a radical, too. So . . . we should be friends”).
I believe this article is particularly effective in its description because it describes what the article is going to be about in its first sentence. It tells us that the community of Wikipedia is responsible for all of its success. It then gives values and numbers that describe the Wikipedia community. With these numbers it gives specific names of Wikipedia members. Then to sum up the paragraph it gives actual quotes from a Wikipedia incident. This paragraphs description gives us a full understanding of the Wikipedia community.
3. 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?
When you wish to use an encyclopedia, the thing you want most is factual information. I believe this part of the encyclopedia describes the behavioral aspect of design. In this sense I would have to give the edge to the Encyclopedia Britannica, simply because it is more reliable. However, Wikipedia allows for a wider range and a variety of topics. Along with the wide range of topics, Wikipedia is very accessible and easy to use. However, an encyclopedia may take time to find what you are looking for. This would give the edge to Wikipedia in user friendliness. I prefer Wikipedia, but strongly believe that both resources are great. Which one you use is completely based on the users preference and what they are looking for.
In Schiffs article "Know it All" she describes the Wikipedia website and compares it to the Encyclopedia Britannica. I believe her main points in this were about the community of Wikipedia and the reliability of the information. First of all, Wikipedia is not created by experts or professionals. Wikipedia is a collection of articles posted and edited by everyday people. Wikipedia contains over one millions articles, mostly composed by people sitting at home on their computers. This leads into Schiff's next point of reliability. Since Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, can you trust the content that is in the article? However, Schiff explains that the text is edited and re-edited every minute to ensure the correct information is being posted. Although there are some vandals, Wikipedia management try's to dispose of their edits and post the correct content.
2. 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.
The real work at Wikipedia takes place not in Florida but on thousands of computer screens across the world. Perhaps Wikipedia’s greatest achievement—one that Wales did not fully anticipate—was the creation of a community. Wikipedians are officially anonymous, contributing to unsigned entries under screen names. They are also predominantly male—about eighty per cent, Wales says—and compulsively social, conversing with each other not only on the talk pages attached to each entry but on Wikipedia-dedicated I.R.C. channels and on user pages, which regular contributors often create and which serve as a sort of personalized office cooler. On the page of a twenty-year-old Wikipedian named Arocoun, who lists “philosophizing” among his favorite activities, messages from other users range from the reflective (“I’d argue against your claim that humans should aim to be independent/self-reliant in all aspects of their lives . . . I don’t think true independence is a realistic ideal given all the inherent intertwinings of any society”) to the geekily flirtatious (“I’m a neurotic painter from Ohio, and I guess if you consider your views radical, then I’m a radical, too. So . . . we should be friends”).
I believe this article is particularly effective in its description because it describes what the article is going to be about in its first sentence. It tells us that the community of Wikipedia is responsible for all of its success. It then gives values and numbers that describe the Wikipedia community. With these numbers it gives specific names of Wikipedia members. Then to sum up the paragraph it gives actual quotes from a Wikipedia incident. This paragraphs description gives us a full understanding of the Wikipedia community.
3. 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?
When you wish to use an encyclopedia, the thing you want most is factual information. I believe this part of the encyclopedia describes the behavioral aspect of design. In this sense I would have to give the edge to the Encyclopedia Britannica, simply because it is more reliable. However, Wikipedia allows for a wider range and a variety of topics. Along with the wide range of topics, Wikipedia is very accessible and easy to use. However, an encyclopedia may take time to find what you are looking for. This would give the edge to Wikipedia in user friendliness. I prefer Wikipedia, but strongly believe that both resources are great. Which one you use is completely based on the users preference and what they are looking for.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Organization and Preparation Tips
1. What do you think are the author's three most important points?
I believe the author's three main points are content, keeping it simple and confidence. If you do not have information for your topic, then the presentation will be worthless. One the other hand, you must keep your presentation simple enough so your audience can understand it. You do not want to overload them with information and data. Confidence is a very key aspect of a good presentation. People do not want to listen to someone who is nervous or does not know their information. It makes the presentation awkward.
2. How might you apply his advice to your own presentation?
The thing that I will be sure I do is know my content and information. In order to give a good presentation and have the audience comprehend your ideas, you must first fully know the content. I believe this is the most important aspect and will benefit me the most. I will also be sure to keep by presentation very simple. I must present my information in a way that my audience can understand it. This will help them to get a full grasp on what I am trying to present and allow for a good presentation.
3. What do you think presentation preparation has in common with product design?
I think the thing that presentation preparation and design have in common is you must know your audience. In a presentation you must know who you are talking to and their general knowledge of the topic you will be presenting. In product design you must know what type of people you will be selling to. Depending on the type of person that will be using your product will determine how the product will be made. You must also think about the end in both scenarios. You must know what you are going to present and the information you want to get across to your audience. In design you want to have an idea of what you are creating and what the function of the product will be.
Week 9 Design Topics
Building Design
Layouts of Houses
Multi-Story Structures
I believe the author's three main points are content, keeping it simple and confidence. If you do not have information for your topic, then the presentation will be worthless. One the other hand, you must keep your presentation simple enough so your audience can understand it. You do not want to overload them with information and data. Confidence is a very key aspect of a good presentation. People do not want to listen to someone who is nervous or does not know their information. It makes the presentation awkward.
2. How might you apply his advice to your own presentation?
The thing that I will be sure I do is know my content and information. In order to give a good presentation and have the audience comprehend your ideas, you must first fully know the content. I believe this is the most important aspect and will benefit me the most. I will also be sure to keep by presentation very simple. I must present my information in a way that my audience can understand it. This will help them to get a full grasp on what I am trying to present and allow for a good presentation.
3. What do you think presentation preparation has in common with product design?
I think the thing that presentation preparation and design have in common is you must know your audience. In a presentation you must know who you are talking to and their general knowledge of the topic you will be presenting. In product design you must know what type of people you will be selling to. Depending on the type of person that will be using your product will determine how the product will be made. You must also think about the end in both scenarios. You must know what you are going to present and the information you want to get across to your audience. In design you want to have an idea of what you are creating and what the function of the product will be.
Week 9 Design Topics
Building Design
Layouts of Houses
Multi-Story Structures
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Emotional Design Part II
1. Select a brief passage from Chapter Three Emotional Design by Donald Norman and post it in your blog. Explain why you thought it was interesting.
"Even after the need for cup holders seemed obvious, German automobile manufacturers resisted them, explaining that automobile were for driving, not drinking... But if the automobile is only for driving, why do Germans provide ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and radios? The Germans reconsidered only when decreases in sales in the United States were attributed to the lack of cup holders" (Norman 73).
This passage is very interesting to me because I can't even imagine a car without a cup holder. The Germans did not think about what the people would want in their cars, instead they thought of the essentials. Design has changed so much and to even consider making a car without a cup holder seems ridiculous to me. This passage shows the importance of watching the people who use your product to see what they want and what they find essential.
2. Norman uses the terms Visceral Design, Behavioral Design, and Reflective Design. Do these categories seem useful to you? Would other names or phrases make the categories clearer?
These three main types of design are very useful to me. When reading what each meant, several different examples of design that fell into each category came to mind. Analyzing a product and putting it into one or several of the categories helps to find the quality of the product at hand. Behavioral and reflective design are very good names for their respective categories, however, visceral did not connect me to the look of a product. Possibly using words such as physical or look would help add the the meaning of visceral design.
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 product more visceral, behavioral, or reflective?
To decide what type of design to use for a particular product, a designer should consider why he is making a certain product. If the product will be used regularly and must work good, then possibly more behavioral design should be used. If the product is used for decoration or to look interesting then visceral design may be the better choice. However, several products can involve several aspects of design. For example, a nice car can look very good, but also could have very good gas mileage and get you to your destination. Some of these products are definitely more visceral, behavioral, or reflective. I believe that good design will try to combine all types of design, however, other products are made to just look good or do its job.
"Even after the need for cup holders seemed obvious, German automobile manufacturers resisted them, explaining that automobile were for driving, not drinking... But if the automobile is only for driving, why do Germans provide ashtrays, cigarette lighters, and radios? The Germans reconsidered only when decreases in sales in the United States were attributed to the lack of cup holders" (Norman 73).
This passage is very interesting to me because I can't even imagine a car without a cup holder. The Germans did not think about what the people would want in their cars, instead they thought of the essentials. Design has changed so much and to even consider making a car without a cup holder seems ridiculous to me. This passage shows the importance of watching the people who use your product to see what they want and what they find essential.
2. Norman uses the terms Visceral Design, Behavioral Design, and Reflective Design. Do these categories seem useful to you? Would other names or phrases make the categories clearer?
These three main types of design are very useful to me. When reading what each meant, several different examples of design that fell into each category came to mind. Analyzing a product and putting it into one or several of the categories helps to find the quality of the product at hand. Behavioral and reflective design are very good names for their respective categories, however, visceral did not connect me to the look of a product. Possibly using words such as physical or look would help add the the meaning of visceral design.
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 product more visceral, behavioral, or reflective?
To decide what type of design to use for a particular product, a designer should consider why he is making a certain product. If the product will be used regularly and must work good, then possibly more behavioral design should be used. If the product is used for decoration or to look interesting then visceral design may be the better choice. However, several products can involve several aspects of design. For example, a nice car can look very good, but also could have very good gas mileage and get you to your destination. Some of these products are definitely more visceral, behavioral, or reflective. I believe that good design will try to combine all types of design, however, other products are made to just look good or do its job.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)