Ergonomically designed products can be of somewhat challenging to achieve, the simplistic approach to succeed what you want from that product can be very successful.In the 1970’s Dietar Rams a well associated designer set out to outline the principles of design in order to supply a set of guidelines of which will allow the designs to be measured in a finite way.
He states that good design is;
Innovative– Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. Innovative technology and innovative design work in tandem together and will never be paired by itself.
Makes a product useful– A product needs to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasises the usefulness of a product.
Aesthetically pleasing– The aesthetic quality of a product Is integral to it’s usefulness. “But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
Makes a product understandable– When a product is self-explanatory it clarifies the product’s structure.
Unobtrusive– Designs should be neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression. Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools.
Honest– The product fulfils it’s purpose, It does not manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
Long-lasting– It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated.
Thorough down to the last details– Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance, Accuracy during the design process shows respect towards the user.
Environmentally friendly– Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment, It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution.
As little design as possible– Refers to the theory of “Less is more” (Bauhaus) Designs concentrate on the essential aspects and are not burdened with non-essentials.
Dietar Rams designs were highly ergonomically pleasing, He focused on the ease and sufficiency of his designs that appealed to the common user. A common theme of his designs were for functionality and simplicity. His products consisted of the highest ergonomic value, referring to how function elaborates over form.
The basic shape and stylistic approach can be thought as replicated into apple’s designs. Take the basic Ipod and compare it to the Dietar Rams pocket radio for Braun. The Similarities are un-canny. But when you think about the principles of the design, the positioning of the dial, you realise how much they make sense. The mechanisms and layouts offer the consumer easy accessibility. Apple take the theory of function over form and add aesthetic details to allow for the needs of society today. They have created a brand of simplicity and elegance from the initial influence of Dietar.
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