The fun factor in design
Quoted verbatim from Donald Norman, Emotional Design 2004 (Page 106):
"Consider the "Te o" tea strainer, designed by Stefano Pirovano for the Italian manufacturing firm Alessi. At first glance it is cute, childish even. As such, it doesn't qualify as fun--not yet. It is a simple animate figure.... At the lunch table, I proudly display my new purchase. Sato's first response was skeptical. "Yes," he said, "it's pleasant and cute, but to what purpose?" But when I place the strainer on a cup, his eyes lit up, and he laughed [click on continue reading]."
"At first sight, the arms and legs of the figure are simple cute but when it becomes apparent that the cuteness is also functional, then "cute" becomes transformed into "pleasure" and "fun", and this, moreover, is long-lasting...[this] unexpected transformation is the key."
Designs that invoke some sense of being fun (I avoid the term "cute" for I am uncertain when to use this term) seem to appeal to us. This tea strainer was rather surprising because viewed on its own without the teacup, it was just another childish design. However, when coupled with the teacup, it becomes functional and its hanging legs that just barely touch the table gives it a nonsensical look that we find funny.
A judicious use of fun and games can make the difference between a dull experience and a fun one that makes you keep coming back. Google would be a company that exercises fun within the right proportions. For instance, its main page logo changes every time there is a special occasion such as Halloween or Christmas. Simple things like these make it seem that Google is a fun site. And when you have a sense of humor as well as the best search technology in the world, that is an impressive combination.
I guess what I learned from reading this book (Emotional Design) is that sometimes you just have to appeal to the kid within all of us; in a non-pushy way of course (think hello kitty--that is an overkill).
Overall, Emotional Design was a nice read. It mentions a lot of things we take for granted and never had the time to pay attention to. Donald Norman does a good job of highlighting things that can make or break your day.
Some things that you might want to try out:
- In Emacs: M-x doctor
- Visit MIT Media Laboratory
- Visit Donald Norman's website
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