[IxDA Discuss] Simplicity is Not Understood

[Peter Bagnall]

> The group that only had a superficial look at the items overwhelmingly
> chose the one with the most features.  But the groups that had a  
> chance
> to try them out overwhelmingly chose the easiest-to-use item,  
> eschewing
> lots of features in the process.
>
> This is a fairly critical thing for a designer to know --- whether
> people will get to try what you design before or after their purchase
> decision.

So if you're a manufacturer, like Apple, who prides yourself on the  
usability of you products then it makes sense to ensure that  
consumers can really get their hands on your products and play before  
they buy. Oh, and look - Apple Stores!! That's exactly what they do.

But it's not really in a stores interest (Apple needed the  
integration to make it work) to do this generally, since it means  
they need stock around that will get mucky, damaged, and so on. Most  
consumer electronics stores (at least in the UK) have the stuff on  
shelves in such a way that you can't play. TV's might be on, but the  
remote control isn't available. MP3 players might be on show but they  
have no power.

How would you persuade stores to display things in a way which would  
allow customers to play? If we could work that out maybe we could  
start to change the forces in play here.


> If I come across the source, I'll send it along.  If someone else out
> there knows the study I'm referring to, I'd appreciate being reminded.

Hope you find it, I'd be very interested.

--Pete


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A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face
and tell him he is a Devil.
      - James A. Garfield, 1831 - 1881