One Word

My favorite approach to design is something I think the design firm IDEO has mastered. One word: INTERDISCIPLINARY.

Consumers don’t happen in a vacuum, and neither do products. When consumers go to the store to buy something, they typically consider multiple factors: How does this product work? What is the cost? Do I like it—does it make me feel good about myself? Is it cool? Etc.

In order to satisfy these different desires, products can’t address only one problem and hope for the best. They have to address many problems simultaneously, and that takes teamwork between people of different professions. So like I said, product design—good product design, that is—should be interdisciplinary.

Even though I’m still a student, I try to live this out as best I can. In our current HP sponsored project, I’ve been seeking the help of some of my IT/Engineering friends. They’ve cracked open computers for me, shown me the parts, explained the systems, and given me suggestions for how, and how NOT, to improve the product.

I really appreciate their help, and I will openly admit that I’m not an expert in those areas. So talking with people who know what they’re doing gives me an idea of where to go.

Someday I hope to have access to more professions, bigger and broader teams, and consumers themselves in order to get that feedback that is so valuable. Ultimately, I think design is as much about listening as it is about visualizing.