Reflection

Apple Inc.:   The Epitome of Proper Execution of Design Discipline & The Dirt Devil: The Bane of My Existence
Functional art is defined as any aesthetic object that serves a purpose. While this definition encompasses nearly every object in my life, I have focused specifically on the example that serves as my lifeline to the social, political, and academic worlds, my computer. First and foremost, I recognize the ingenious design and the universal practicality devised and flawlessly executed by Apple Inc. My computer is unbelievably thin and light, contributing to both its functionality and aestheticism. With their release of the first product in 1984, Apple usurped the conventional standards of a computer’s visual appeal. Steve Jobs promotes innovative thinking within his product design and furthermore, is entirely influenced by the consumer’s wants and needs. This incredible adaptability makes the company a prime example of the precise execution of design. I have yet to encounter an Apple product that fails to achieve its practical function or neglects to maintain a superior visual appeal. Apple is driving innovation and has set a precedent of product quality that has yet to be matched.
Unfortunately, I have also experienced examples of the poor execution of product design principles. The most infuriating aspect of these blunders is often not related to product’s appearance but its incapability to perform its primary function adeptly. Minor design flaws can be the undoing of a product; personal experiences with these invoke something of an anxiety attack in my head. I repeatedly find myself imploring the imaginary designer, “WHY WOULD YOU THINK THIS WOULD IMPROVE THE PRODUCT? WHY??!” Just as good design reaches out to accommodate the consumer’s wants and needs as if on a personal level, poor product design is capable of communicating the reciprocal. I speak merely by my own understanding but poor execution of product design can induce a reaction as if the...