2 More Article Posts

Eight Strategies for Design and Foresight:
http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/beyond_the_schlock_of_the_new_eight_strategies_for_design_and_foresight_by_kevin_mccullagh_10912.asp

An article from Core 77 by Kevin McCullagh. It describes 8 different ways we should look at the world around us, what is really "in" and what is not, in order to approach design in a proper way to appeal towards people. Point #3 he says is "Put Sociology before Technology." McCullagh says how when we think future, we shouldn't always think about hi-tech gadgets and vehicles and a space-age looking environment. Insted, focus on the changes in society, roles of genders and ethnicities and how they are changing. There is more to our future than technology.

Another point that stood out is #8 "Track and Tack." Here the author tells how companies sometimes consistantly ask their designers for the next image as popular trends shift from year to year. However, McCullagh says that it is wise to keep a current design and build it into your own trend, letting it represent the company for a number of years before changing an image.

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How Great Design Makes People Love Your Company:
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/sep2008/id2008093_827961.htm?chan=innovation_innovation+%2B+design_innovation+strategy

Being in a band, acting as a company for me, proper design on our advertisements and website is important and therefore I take a great interest in finding out the latest trends. The article states that design is even used by itself to build lasting relationships with customers. Apple, with their sleek and futuristic-designed products in an example of how they appeal to an entire population of young and creative users, partially through the product designs alone.

Obviously making a product attractive will guarantee a certain number of buyers. But we cannot forget about quality. Its the classic example of outer beauty and inner. I must say that Apple has put together quality products, both inside and out.