It struck me today how much as human beings we value and long for people to notice us, to be affectionate towards us, to value us. It's in all of us, no matter race or religion, we were born with this longing and if we don't get to be noticed or no one values us then we throw our teddy in the corner (British phrase for throwing a tantrum), or we become bitter. For a young girl the affection and love of her father is the thing she craves. If dad shows that he loves her and cherishes her and notices her then the little girl grows up strong and confident. If all dad does is watch TV and drink and shout at anyone and everyone, then the little girl grows up starved of love and affection, she becomes bitter towards men and others who don't give her what she wants.
In design we can learn from this. People love to be communicated to. Imagine being an iPhone 4 owner right now and Apple completely ignores the antenna problem. Are you going to think well of them? Are you going to buy an iPhone 4 for your friend? Probably not. But, if Steve Jobs recognizes the issue at hand and communicates to the customers and does the right thing, whatever the fix might be, he will more than likely keep his customers, make them happy and strengthen his brand.
If design is really communication then we really should understand our audience, serve them well and appreciate them, for the long haul. Better that than a bitter, angry customer shaking his fist and never coming back! People are not commodities to be picked up and put down whenever we feel like it.
0 comments:
Post a Comment