IH01-BrianLoo

From IEOR 170 Spring 2007

• Note: Labels on picture are only viewable on the paper version. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Good Design

Item: Disney’s Popcorn maker for home use

Purpose: To make popcorn

The overall design of this popcorn maker is good. It easy to use as has one button that is labeled as the on and off switch, which makes it harder for users to misunderstand. For the most part, you just turn it on, put kernels in, watch it pop, and enjoy. This design includes everything a user would need to make popcorn. For example, the red cap is a measuring cup with a line labeled “Kernels” to describe how many popcorn kernels to add. Additionally, the top turns into a bowl by flipping the device upside down – this will allow no delay in serving. To make this possible, the product is very light and easy to flip. Having this multifunctional feature prevents users from looking for a bowl that will have the appropriate capacity to hold all of the popcorn. I think these features make it a great design, as it simple to use and has everything needed in one product. Furthermore, the overall aesthetics of the product is fun and inviting, which does not intimidate people from attempting to use it.

Bad Design

Item: Sex and the City DVD case

Purpose: To hold and store DVDs

Every time the user opens the case, it bends the plastic hinges. Over time, the plastic snaps and the case breaks. This breakage has been observed on many of the cases, so this is not a special instance. This is a poor design as it fails under normal use. The case most likely was designed this way as it looks like the manufactures were going for a trendy modern look to match the content, “Sex and the City,” which is all about style and fashion. They achieved this aesthetic appeal and appearance for their target market but over time, the design fails, since it breaks. To fix this case, the user must tape the hinge back together, which causes the case to lose the sleek and modern appeal that it was designed for. A better design would be a case that doesn’t break under traditional wear and tear. However, if it did still break, fixing it with tape of some sort would still keep it original intention of being trendy. While observing other case holders for multiple DVDs, I found a better design modeled after the Star Trek Voyager DVD case. Below are images of suggested designs for this case. This seems like a better design for the DVD case as the hinge is flexible and won’t break as easily. If the hinge does break, the user can re-tape it and it still keeps it trendy look. Overall, this design upholds the original concept of the DVD cases of being modern, trendy, and fashionable while being sturdier. Additionally, this version of the case can easily incorporate all logos, designs, color patterns, etc. of the original version.