Disappointing Designs
Design is an integral part of any product or service. Whether it's a phone case, car, or website, design can make or break the user experience. Unfortunately, not all designs are created equal. Sometimes, designers miss the mark and produce a disappointing design. In this article, we'll explore some of the most disappointing designs and discuss what went wrong.
The "New" Coca-Cola
In 1985, Coca-Cola decided to introduce a new formula for its flagship product. The company spent millions of dollars on market research and taste tests, believing that the new formula would be a hit with consumers.
However, the opposite happened. The "New" Coke was widely panned by consumers, who felt that it was too sweet and lacked the familiar taste of the original formula. The backlash was so strong that Coca-Cola was forced to reintroduce the original formula as "Coca-Cola Classic" just a few months later.
So, what went wrong with the design of the "New" Coca-Cola? Essentially, the designers failed to understand the emotional attachment that consumers had to the original formula. Consumers didn't just buy Coca-Cola for its taste; they bought it for the memories and feelings that it evoked. By changing the formula, Coca-Cola disrupted this emotional connection and left consumers feeling disappointed and disloyal.
The Ford Edsel
The Ford Edsel was a car that was introduced in 1958 and discontinued just three years later. Despite its short lifespan, the Edsel remains one of the most infamous failures in automotive history.
So, what went wrong with the design of the Ford Edsel? While there were many factors that contributed to its failure, one of the biggest issues was its design. In an era when American cars were becoming longer, lower, and wider, the Edsel was even bigger and more flamboyant than its competitors. It featured a distinctive grille that was meant to evoke the look of a jet engine, but instead looked like a gaping maw. The car also had a number of technical issues, such as a faulty transmission and poor fuel economy.
Ultimately, the Edsel failed because it was too different from what consumers were used to. It was marketed as a "car of the future," but consumers were not ready for such a radical departure from the norm. The Edsel remains a cautionary tale for designers: it's important to understand what consumers want and expect, and to design accordingly.
Microsoft Windows Vista
In 2006, Microsoft introduced Windows Vista, its much-anticipated successor to Windows XP. However, the launch was marred by a number of issues, including compatibility problems with existing software and hardware, slow performance, and excessive security prompts. Many users found Vista to be frustrating and difficult to use, and the product quickly gained a reputation as a flop.
So, what went wrong with the design of Windows Vista? There were a number of factors, including poor communication between Microsoft and its partners, and a rushed development cycle. However, one of the biggest issues was the design itself. Vista had a new interface that was meant to be more attractive and user-friendly than previous versions of Windows. However, the changes were only skin-deep; underneath the new interface, Vista was still the same old Windows with all of its flaws and limitations.
In other words, Microsoft tried to fix the symptoms of the problem (the old interface) without addressing the underlying issues. This made the product feel like a half-hearted effort, and left users feeling frustrated and let down.
Juicero
Juicero was a startup that promised to revolutionize the home juice market. The company raised millions of dollars in funding, and its product was heralded as a game-changer. However, when the product was finally released in 2017, it was met with widespread derision.
So, what went wrong with the design of Juicero? Essentially, the product was too complicated and too expensive for what it did. The Juicero machine was a giant, wifi-enabled appliance that used proprietary juice packets to create freshly squeezed juice. However, the packets were expensive (costing up to $7 each), and the machine itself was prohibitively expensive (costing $399).
Furthermore, it soon became clear that the machine was not necessary at all. Users discovered that they could simply squeeze the juice packets by hand, without the need for the machine. This made the entire product seem unnecessary and ridiculous, and left investors and customers feeling cheated.
In conclusion, disappointing designs can be the result of many factors, including poor research, rushed development cycles, and a failure to understand users' needs and expectations. However, in all of the examples we've explored here, the biggest issue was a failure to understand the emotional connections that users have with products and brands. Whether it's Coke, a car, a computer operating system, or a home juicer, consumers want to feel a sense of loyalty and connection to the products they use. When designers fail to account for this emotional attachment, they risk producing products that are disappointing and unfulfilling. As designers, it's important to keep this in mind and to strive to create products that not only meet users' practical needs, but also resonate with them on a deeper level.