Chance to have your say on product designs

[designmea]

Hi,

 

Im running a project at the moment where members of the public get an opportunity to influence hoe new products are designed. If you've ever found a product frustrating, and wish you could have changed something about its design, then this is something that may interest you.

 

I am also working on this idea as part of my degree, and so would really really apprieciate any input you would be willing to give. It will help me a lot!

 

http://www.designwithme.moonfruit.com

 

Thanks

[fox20thc]

A snack dispenser? As a mum I thought that was me! TBH the entire concept is beyond me and I'm not being mean but do we really need another gadget. My snack dispenser is a drawer full of healthy snacks and no rubbish.

[Siân]

I have to admit I'm intrigued too. Nuts & seeds as healthy snacks all sounds great but a special dispenser to put them in reminds me of all those tupperware cereal dispensers that people bought in the 70s & 80s. The problem was no one used them after the first time. It was easier to keep the cereal in the packets it came in & not to have to bother washing up the tupperware container.

 

Ideas wise I hop eyou have studied Lakeland Plastic's catalogues until your eyes are sore - they seem to come up with plenty of stuff I never knew I needed but I soooooo need. Seems to entrance men & women alike too!

[designmea]

I do agree with you that there are too many kitchen 'gadgets' out there. But this was something that has been requested by someone who specifically wanted it. I think if it is done in the right way, as an aesthetic statement, as well as a way of encouraging kids to eat healthy snacks, it has a place. There isn't really anything else you can get that displays the snacks as well as providing an easy way to get to them.

If the snacks are in a dispenser on the wall it also frees up more drawer space AND there are opportunities for scaling up to put dispensers in sports centres and schools, instead of the normal sweets dispensers. This really would be a good way of getting people eating more healthily.

 

I do apprieciate any opinions, good or bad!

[WallBuilder]

The major problem with most electrical products is the way they seem deliberately designed to be as difficult to use as possible and usually require a manual running to quite a few pages of instructions. I've got buttons on my TV remote that I still don't know what they do for example.

Centtral heating control systems are another annoying thing and it is quite clear to me that people who are designing or developing new products have little desire to ask for users input in regard to ease of use.

[designmea]

The major problem with most electrical products is the way they seem deliberately designed to be as difficult to use as possible and usually require a manual running to quite a few pages of instructions. I've got buttons on my TV remote that I still don't know what they do for example.

Centtral heating control systems are another annoying thing and it is quite clear to me that people who are designing or developing new products have little desire to ask for users input in regard to ease of use.

 

I blame industrial designers who get carried away with the technology rather than thinking about who it is for.

 

I really do believe that the most important thing to consider when designing something, is the person who is going to use it!

[WallBuilder]

It's also worth remembering that not everyone has full use of their hands, eyesight and mental faculties..

[designmea]

Yes, inclusive design is important to consider...

 

please post any thoughts and ideas on the website, would be a massive massive help!

[SimpyTimpy]

I think it seems to be a decent product but I do personally think you're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

 

People are more than happy with putting snacks in draws and cupboards, I honestly don't think there's a market for this product.

[max]

It's OK but this as yet un-patented product allows you to view the contents while keeping them fresh: Snack dispenser