I was handed this product sample while walking through union square last semester. I've kept it ever since as a reminder of why I've chosen this field. This product represents everything that is wrong with design: disposable[single use], uninformed and arrogant, both in terms of packaging and concept.
6 comments:
Hi Chelsea,
first, thanks so much for posting this, along with your thoughts about why this product annoys you. I must say, I actually thought I would like to have a couple of these toothpaste-less, water-less tooth brushes laying around, although I also understand your point. You are right: this product kind of encapsulates what is wrong with product design in its current form. I am so horrified sometimes when I go into CVS and see the proliferation of products that we must contend with. Trying to buy a toothbrush is truly headache-producing. There is a vast assortment, each with special features and target audiences. You have to really focus just to get your. You can see why this happens: companies have to continue to innovate since that's what their competitors are doing, just to maintain market share. Then, they have to spend money advertising each new product. The consumer probably does not benefit from this explosion of choice. On the other hand, I did just buy a new toothbrush the other day that has these weird rubbery sticks on the side. the rubbery things are supposed to stimulate your gums. Whatever. But, I must say it is a pretty good toothbrush. Here's where you can see a picture of it. http://www.oralb.com/en-US/assets/images/products/gallery/camanvitalizerplus_4.jpg
I think this product represents everything I hate about NYC
we can all complain about this product until there is a hot person we want to make out with in the club and to then realize, "darn, my breath is no good." How about we see what the numbers are on this product. Is it possible that we're not giving a fair chance? Chelsea, I wonder what research you did to come up with your conclusion that it is "...uninformed and arrogant...". I'm not saying this product is necessary or unnecessary, but we can certainly fall into design traps by making assumptions. What fueled the design of this object? Was there a need that Colgate fulfilled? There must have been something to fuel the design, planning, and manufacturing of this product. Needless to say, it costs Colgate tons of money...
Hm. I also noticed that you haven't used it. Is it ok to judge the product without having tried it?
jerry,
i appreciate your points and they are thoughtful and valid, however, do i have to test drive a hummer to understand it's ramifications? let's keep this dialogue going, i appreciate your insight.
C
Chels, you have a good point about intuitively knowing about a product's attributes by just looking at it, but how are improvements towards that product going to be made if we don't understand why people consume it(assuming,ofcourse that it is satisfying a genuine need). I think it's in our best interest to really empathize, like steven said, with our audience and pin-point the things that make the product successful and less successful. Is it that the wisp is small and compact? Does it do something that simple chewing gum can't do? Once we establish those specific needs, we can really have a thoughtful, more relevant intervention. Same goes for the Hummer.
You
You have a good pi
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