Designing for the Internet of Things

(Nandana) #1

particular product. However, it was the embedding of electronics
into products that resulted in the most radical shift in both design
possibilities and people's relationships with objects. For the first
time, the potential behavior and functionality of a product was
disconnected from its physical form.


Consider the difference between a chair and a radio. Although
chairs vary widely in form and materials, the way that a person
uses them is largely self-evident, without instruction or confusion.
With a radio, the functionality is more abstract. The shape of a
knob may communicate its ability to turn, but not necessarily
what it controls.


A designer of electronic products uses a mix of different controls,
displays, colors, and words to communicate the purpose of
various components and provide clarity in how they work
together. Done poorly, a user can be overwhelmed and confused
by the possibilities and interrelationships, requiring them to read
a manual before operating a product.


Figure 1.x Dieter Rams image (TBD)


German Industrial Designer Dieter Rams is a master at
simplifying these complex electronic products to their essential
form. Rams designed simple, iconic products for German
household appliance company Braun for over 40 years, where
he served as the Chief Design Officer until his retirement in



  1. His understated approach and principle of “less but better”
    resulted in products with a timeless and universal nature. He was
    restrained in the amount of language used to label knobs and
    switches, relying on color and information graphics to
    communicate a product’s underlying behavior in an intuitive
    manner.

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