bladeless fan - Dyson

A remarkable innovation. I think this is certainly a result of a vision and a dream, to replicate nature and to truely command breeze. Presented to you by Sir James Dyson, an unconventional fan design that requires no turning blades or rusty routers. We dont have to worry about it turning slower and slower each year, or about the thick layer of dirt after that anymore.

Well, his explanation of how it works was clear enough, but I couldnt understand WHY it works. Times like this I just regret those days when I dont pay attention to my Physics teacher.

humans are powered by emotion

image from laura242

Source: Lovemarks – the future beyond brands
Written by: Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi

Human beings are powered by emotion, not by reason.

Study after study has proven that if the emotion centers of our brain are damaged in some way, we don’t just lose the ability to laugh or cry, we lose the ability to make decisions. Alarm bells for every business right there.

The neurologist Donald Calne puts it brilliantly:

“The essential difference between emotion and reason is that emotion leads to action while reason leads to conclusions.”

You don’t have to a be brain surgeon to get that. The reality we face does not require mastery of arcane terminology, and it’s not about evaluating competing theories about how the mind works or how it is structured.

The brain is more complex, more densely connected, and more mysterious than any of us can dream. That’s as much as we have to know. Emotion and reason are intertwined, but where they are in conflict, emotion wins every time. Without the fleeting and intense stimulus of emotion, rational thought winds down and disintegrates.

Writer Virginia Postrel has a great example of how ignoring the real emotions of consumers can point us in the wrong direction. About ten years ago, many women’s fashion retailers had the same dumb idea: it’s possible to rationally predict what women want. The demographics said that women were getting older and bigger and so perfect logic kicked in. Older, bigger women are not going to be interested in youth, novelty, or sex appeal. Bad call. Turned out that women didn’t feel older and bigger at all. They rushed to buy slinky slip-dresses and curvy, mini-skirted business suits. The logicians tanked and the few retailers who backed a genuine understanding of the human heart did great.

What is important is to engage with the new realities of emotion. We must work out what they mean to us. How they affect behaviour. And then do something different because of it. Marketing people talk about emotion. They present charts and diagrams, even raise their voices and wave their arms, but fundamentally they treat emotion as…out-there, felt by someone else and able to be manipulated.

Analyzing other people’s emotions and refusing to acknowledge our own dumps us in the same old rut. What a waste. The emotions are a serious opportunity to get in touch with consumers. And best of all, emotion is an unlimited resource. It’s always there-waiting to be tapped with new ideas, new inspirations, and new experiences.

So what kind of emotions are we talking about? Everyone has a different list, but people tend to agree on two points: first, emotions can be separated into primary and secondary emotions; and second, most of our emotions are negative. Emotions can inspire and excite us. They can also frighten and threaten us. It’s survival. Our emotions tell us what’s important, and in our ancient past it was smart to pay the most attention to the bad stuff.

living Wabi Sabi

All images from Wabi Sabi Style

Source: Wabi Sabi Style
Written by: James and Dandra Crowley

Source: Elements of Japanese Design
Written by: Boyé Lafayette De Mente

In this modern age of the rising Neo-Japanese, a traditional style of the Japanese has yet to fade out. Though it may not shine as brightly in today’s trend it still remain as, what I consider, Japanese Asset. This ancient practice is known as Wabi-Sabi.

Wabi means simplicity and tranquility, and Sabi refers to “the rust of age”. But the Sabi concept has further meaning to its philosophy when you appreciate the phase of dying. It is because Wabi-Sabi respects the never-ending cycle of rejuvenation and decay. The beauty can be seen when the unavoidable decaying is accepted. Similar to humans whom age and old, so does everything around us.

One of the key foundations of this lifestyle was living in harmony with nature – of course, something that all of early mankind did to the best of their ability as a means of survival. In other words, living in harmony with nature was a natural response that did not require any great intellectual capacity or philosophizing. You lived in harmony with nature or you lived an uncomfortable if not painful life and generally died young. It was that simple.

The challenge and the opportunity offered by wabi and sabi is to live a positive, graceful life. It is not necessary to relate this theme to Buddhism, Zen, or any other religious belief. It is just common sense.

Wabi-Sabi and Zen

Wabi-Sabi can be easily mistaken for Zen. While you cannot say that Wabi-Sabi is part of Zen, but you can say that the Zen style is adopted from Wabi-Sabi.

The introduction of Buddhism from the Asian continent between the fourth and sixth centuries did not alter the basic ancient wabi-sabi lifestyle of the average Japanese. However, what these Zen monks contribute to the wabi-sabi world was the intellectualizing of its concepts. They injected old words with new meanings to describe and explain the concepts. Thereafter, for generation after generation, advocates of wabi-sabi persevered in practicing and teaching its philosophical, ethical, and practical aspects. By creating specific vocabulary for their aesthetic concepts, the Japanese have made it possible to talk about them in precise terms, to create guidelines for achieving them, and to teach them. As a result, they have made a unique contribution to mankind.

What is Simplicity?

Simplicity is to “thoughtfully and consciously limiting one’s choices”. Simplicity is about Subtlety, that is the fine details, and also about Restraint.

It isn’t difficult to throw everything functional into one product, but I sometimes find certain products excessive and over-done. I think a product needs a focus, and in order to do that we have to ask ourselves, “What does this product serve? What must it do and what isn’t necessary?” The poor product doesn’t have to carry tons on its back and pledge to do everything in this world.

Live Wabi-Sabi

To use its philosophy in designing, you have to understand its fundaments. So now you know that its about living as one with nature, that means things have to be natural or at least look natural. It is practical like the creations of Mother Nature, every part of its creation serves a purpose. And just like every matter of nature due to decay, a product has a life span as well. But can it rejuvenate and return with a new beginning just like an organism?

It is usually asymmetry and random, unless of a reason. I think that is what makes it interesting to admire. Perhaps we could mass manufacture more products that is asymmetric, with part of its interface oddly in place? heh heh..

Feature: Ina Nikolic

marketing a design consultancy

Source: How to Market Design Consultancy Services
Written by: Shan Preddy

Editor:

If you are a first time design consultancy entrepreneur or planning to be one, you should really read up this book with the different technique in marketing a consultancy. Like what the author of this book said, you developed a new type of mouse trap then tell people about it, thats why we need marketing.

The chart above is taken from the book; it shows how you can tell people about your services and hopefully clinched a deal. Somewhat a formula, but not exactly a standard one for each and every potential client(s).

I think it is rather clear and straightforward. You start off with a very polite step and gradually being more rigorous when there’s negative response, but keep in mind not to irritate. As the author also explains for the ‘Keep In Touch’ section, you should only be making 3 or 4 marketing approach per year. But if you already knew that a particular client would prefer less, then decrease the frequency, or you might risk annoying that particular client. So it does pay off to find out more about clients.

KIT are your ‘potential clients’ which you can update them about your consultancy. For example, you won an award, your firm is taking part in an event and you would like to invite them, or you are broadening your services, or you are holding a New Year celebration party. But of course, don't email them about your new born baby, no matter how delirious you are. Relevancy. Keep them informed about your consultancy and they might one day turned into Active Clients. =)

honest design - Oxo

Alex Lee at Gel 2008 from Gel Conference on Vimeo.

(You cant play directly from here. Click on the video to link yourself there.)

Alex Lee is the CEO of the New York based, Oxo. The company initially started out to produce kitchen tools more suitable for the elderly folks, and later branched out to deal with other household needs, office stationary and even gardening equipments.

In his speech, he explains Oxo’s design philosophy in designing universal products that ergonomically suits the minority market group, but fits in with ease with the majority as well. Other than the ergonomics, the ease of use and in understanding the product, he also mentioned about their honest language (not misleading). In other words, Oxo products are meant to be the classic ‘Fool-proof’ product.

Another admirable point of the company is their keen observation they conduct and the subtle innovative ideas implemented to improve satisfaction value in usage, even without the users realizing it. Surely, Oxo products are not meant to dazzle, but definitely are making lives easier.

Oxo website

future of supermarket - Sunka

All Photos from Lovemarks

Source: Lovemarks – the future beyond brands
Written by: Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi

When most people talk about the future of the supermarket, they talk technology. Wireless neon signs, infra-red signals, handheld scanners, smart shopping carts, radio frequency identification.

All fantastic innovations, but they are not the future. One by one they will become tablestakes just as freezers and barcodes and conveyor belts did before them.

The only way to spring the commodity trap is with Mystery, Sensuality, and Intimacy. I have seen this future and it is called La Sala Sunka, an inspired concept springing out of Lleida, near Barcelona in Spain.

The Pujol family’s chain of neighbourhood food stores didn’t panic when the powerful hypermarket formula started to bite. Instead they created Sunka.

The Pujol’s research said “demanding and stressed people” made up 33 percent of consumers, mostly couples with kids who were under pressure at work and at home. Sunka was created for them.

Not a specialty store, but a store focused on special shoppers.

In defiance of all the rules, Sunka’s first spaces don’t sell, but introduce a deceleration zone. To wind back the stress levels, the work of local young artists is hung, framed by haiku and insights.

Then the concierge. Leave your clothes to be cleaned, shoes to be mended, photographs to be developed. There’s a fax, access to the Internet, a photocopier. Solutions for everyday frustrations like home repairs and day care.

Fresh fruit comes first, with wonderful fragrances and colours. Aromatherapy! Then flavour therapy in the prepared meals. Forget the usual convenience meals where it’s the convenience of distributors and retailers that counts and enjoy the next evolutionary step: foot kits.

Think TV dinner and then forget it. Yes, the complete meal is here but it’s not processed beyond recognition. These kits include all the fresh ingredients for a proper meal. Recipe included. And if you want the fish steamed – no problem. Free of charge and done to perfection.

The prices are in line with any other supermarket with the message: forget about price. Our job is to match our competitors. Your job is to enjoy shopping.

And once you’re done, get it delivered. You’ve got until 11PM – this is Spain after all.

creating names that communicate

Photo Credit: Sunnews

Source: 63 “Killer” Marketing Strategies
Written by: Dan S. Kennedy

I believe that the name of a business, product, service or offer should communicate what it is or does. Why make it tough on the customer? I drive past businesses with names that could be restaurants or could be gift stores or could be God-knows-what. How can this possibly help business?

The people at Marriott are generally pretty sharp, but whoever conned them into changing the name of the Big Boy Restaurants to JB’s Restaurants should be shot. All those years and dollars building that name and character identification thrown away in favour of a “nothing name”. This is a big, big mistake. A much better move: “Marriott’s Big Boy Family Restaurants”. Keeps the established ID, adds the quality Marriott name, adds “Family” to imply meals, not just sandwiches.

You’ve got to think very carefully about product, service, offer, publication and business names. They should earn their keep. They should add something to the marketing process, not detract from it.

EverReady is a much better name for a battery than Ray-O-Vac.

Obviously, you can point to exceptions. After all, “McDonalds” could be just about anything, couldn’t it? Yes, but first remember that Ray inherited that name, he didn’t choose it or create it. Second, do you really want to make their kind of investment in creating name recognition?

Principle #8: Choose a name that makes a positive contribution to the marketing process.

March 3, 1989

Even the biggest and the best can be stupid. The Ma Company Department Store chain, having acquired our Arizona Goldwaters stores, has announced it will change the chain’s name from Goldwaters to Robinsons.

Is this smart?

Consider: the Goldwaters chain was created and built in Arizona by the famous Goldwater family, best known nationally for the crusty Senator Barry Goldwater. The name in Arizona is as old as Arizona. Specific to the stores, it is generally regarded as the highest quality or, if you will, elite department store. Millions and millions of dollars of cumulative advertising has built this name. Free publicity occurs every time Barry makes news, which he still does with regularity.

Presumably, the decision to change the name is motivated by a desire to connect with the strong West Coast identity of Robinsons.

Given all that, what would you do?

Well, the one thing I definitely would not do is abandon the Goldwater name.

I might call it: The New Goldwaters’. Or I might call it: Goldwaters & Robinsons. Or: Robinsons & Goldwaters.

Note: Dan Kennedy is internationally recognized as the 'Millionaire Maker,' helping people in just about every category of business turn their ideas into fortunes. Dan's "No B.S." approach is refreshing amidst a world of marketing hype and enriches those who act on his advice.

how great design will make people love your company

Photo Credit: Peter Dazeley

Source: Do you matter? – How great design will make people love your company

Written by: Robert Brunner and Steward Emery

On the second day after Jobs came back to Apple, Tim Bajarin, recognized as a leading analyst and futurist covering the field of personal computers and consumer technology, was invited to meet with him. One of the questions Bajarin asked Jobs was how he planned to get the computer maker back on the road to profitability. To his surprise, one of the foundational solutions offered was “industrial design.”

We think most people are prone to define design, particularly good design, more narrowly than they should. When you see an iconic product, such as iPhone, for instance, that enjoys an initial runaway success, it’s so easy to overlook the big picture of how the product fits into the company’s future – and the future of similar products in general. We want you to consider a far broader view of the significance of design.

Right now, you could design a product that looks like an iPhone, has really nice details and materials, and becomes an object of lust. However, this doesn’t mean that it will ultimately be successful. Unless you have strong idea that pervades the way it looks, the way it operates, what it does, how it’s communicated to people, how it’s branded, and how people identify with the brand, your product is not complete, because these are all things that go into making a great product which becomes a good business.

This approach is product design as a total concept – how the product operates, how it sounds, and how it feels. Included in the design is the experience of how you buy it, the experience of what happens when you actually get possession of it and open up the box, how you start to feel, and what all this communicates to you. And of course, there is the chain of events through which you became aware of the product. This is part of the design too – what all those touch points meant to you.

Taking possession of the product is just the beginning of the next phase of the relationship. What happens if something goes wrong with the product? What happens next? How do you feel about it? All these things need (to) be included in the total design of the customer experience. This notion is something that IDEO (a Palo Alto design firm formed in 1991) has been basing its entire practice on – the idea that design is not just limited to this thing with buttons.

The iPod is an iconic product of our time, a glorious example of design and business success. So close your eyes and imagine you’re holding an iPod. Now take away iTunes, take away the ability to buy the song you like for 99cents without having to pay $15 for a dozen more on a CD you don’t want, lose the ability to create play lists, cut out the packaging, take out the ads, delete the Apple logo, and shutter all the Apple stores. The remaining question is, “Do you still have an iPod?” Yes, the physical product in your hand is exactly the same, but what do you have now? Really, what do you have?

An iPod is not just an object. The object is an icon that is a portal to an experience. Great products are about ideas; they are not just objects.


*You can also visit their website for the book over here

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About Maneu

Product Maneu is setup primarily to share comprehensive information and resources in regards to Product Design. No matter if you are an undergraduate, already a professional or someone who is from other discipline of design, I hope these resources available here will come in handy. Well the secondary agenda is that I can finally get organized with these research and thoughts so I could refer back whenever I need to.

A good friend of mine once said to me “NO”, but for me, I find no harm in sharing information. I have yet to discover any ‘secret recipe’ which I want to keep to myself, after all information is always readily available as long as you put in some effort. With that said, I hope one day the future of Product Maneu will be one that is a collective community, where people could learn something from and in turn, I could learn even more from everyone else. Though, right now, I have no idea how to achieve that but I guess I would just start from here. =D


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