Day 6: Research / Questions
As I mentioned yesterday, Beth wanted something that she could wear during exercise that was discreet, comfortable, and attractive. While I like the idea of creating something that is utilitarian, many of these products already exist. What I'm doing now is researching these companies that make products for pumps, finding out where they are falling short, and brainstorming how I can put an innovative spin on it that is also in line with my concept and visual aesthetic.
Here are some companies making utilitarian/fashionable products for the Medtronic Minimed pump:
Where are they falling short? First of all, the websites for a vast majority of these companies are absolutely horrific. What I still find interesting is this encouragement of concealment. At the website Accu-check Spirit their tag line is "Pump therapy is your business, no one else's." How has Apple made their products something people show off and others covet? How have eyeglasses become something that those who are not visually impaired begin to buy and wear as fashion accessory? Beth was saying that while she likes the empowerment aspect of my existing designs, she feels that it could be equally empowering to have clothing that hid the pump comfortably and discreetly. However, with the plethora of companies out there making these products, why does she not have any of them? Is it an issue of marketing, is it the terrible web design, is it the look and feel of the object? Is it all of the above? I think that the design of the pump as well as the design for the objects that help conceal them are sending such a strong negative message. I would hope that whatever Hanky Pancreas ends up being, it helps change that reality. Regarding the actual design of these objects, some companies have a better fashion and design sense than others. MediFashion is the closest I see to something I was thinking about for Beth. However, what would be the point of making something that already exists? I could just send her a link to these sites and be done with it. Brainstorming InnovationI think that the potential for Hanky Pancreas to stand out and be successful is in the social aspects. By 'social aspects' I mean the visual metaphors that can be empowering on both public and private scales, the story-telling integration with the design, and the actual involvement with my target audience. I believe one of the main reasons Apple products are successful has a lot to do with the visual aesthetic and culture that people feel they belong to when purchasing the products. Going back to the methodology of combining Beth's personal story with mythological symbols, I have been looking into Greek Myths of the Olympic Games. Beth is a very active and athletic person, she received her masters in fitness education and really desires solutions for athletic clothing. With this in mind I am trying to come up with some visual metaphors that could be incorporated into the designs for her that allow this object to be comfortable, utilitarian, discreet, and attractive while also making her feel like she belongs to a larger culture. Sketches coming soon hopefully.
Here are some companies making utilitarian/fashionable products for the Medtronic Minimed pump:
Where are they falling short? First of all, the websites for a vast majority of these companies are absolutely horrific. What I still find interesting is this encouragement of concealment. At the website Accu-check Spirit their tag line is "Pump therapy is your business, no one else's." How has Apple made their products something people show off and others covet? How have eyeglasses become something that those who are not visually impaired begin to buy and wear as fashion accessory? Beth was saying that while she likes the empowerment aspect of my existing designs, she feels that it could be equally empowering to have clothing that hid the pump comfortably and discreetly. However, with the plethora of companies out there making these products, why does she not have any of them? Is it an issue of marketing, is it the terrible web design, is it the look and feel of the object? Is it all of the above? I think that the design of the pump as well as the design for the objects that help conceal them are sending such a strong negative message. I would hope that whatever Hanky Pancreas ends up being, it helps change that reality. Regarding the actual design of these objects, some companies have a better fashion and design sense than others. MediFashion is the closest I see to something I was thinking about for Beth. However, what would be the point of making something that already exists? I could just send her a link to these sites and be done with it. Brainstorming InnovationI think that the potential for Hanky Pancreas to stand out and be successful is in the social aspects. By 'social aspects' I mean the visual metaphors that can be empowering on both public and private scales, the story-telling integration with the design, and the actual involvement with my target audience. I believe one of the main reasons Apple products are successful has a lot to do with the visual aesthetic and culture that people feel they belong to when purchasing the products. Going back to the methodology of combining Beth's personal story with mythological symbols, I have been looking into Greek Myths of the Olympic Games. Beth is a very active and athletic person, she received her masters in fitness education and really desires solutions for athletic clothing. With this in mind I am trying to come up with some visual metaphors that could be incorporated into the designs for her that allow this object to be comfortable, utilitarian, discreet, and attractive while also making her feel like she belongs to a larger culture. Sketches coming soon hopefully.