Comments on: Designing for the Ego http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/ UIE\'s latest insights on the world of design Wed, 7 Jan 2009 20:54:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Ashley McKee http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-73342 Ashley McKee Sat, 21 Apr 2007 21:23:46 +0000 http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-73342 All very good points. This is definitely an area I plan to do more research in as it has piqued my interest. Culture Code is now on my long list of books to read. All very good points. This is definitely an area I plan to do more research in as it has piqued my interest.

Culture Code is now on my long list of books to read.

]]> By: Alexander Muir http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-73007 Alexander Muir Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:22:30 +0000 http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-73007 Another angle on this is: designing so the rational brain has an excuse to buy. If just read Dr Clotaire's 'Culture Code' work where he talks about purchasing decisions basically coming from the instinctive, 'reptile brain'. Yet it helps sales if the product not only appeals to the reptile brain, but also appeases the rational brain, thus giving it an 'alibi' to buy. Perhaps a flashy display of features on a phone works as an excuse for the rational brain, whereas the sleek sexy razr itself appeals directly to the reptile. So my point is that the display of complexity and nifty features - even though they don't get used - may be understood in this light. Dr Clotaire - who helped design the PT Cruiser along these principles - notes that products we have a gut reaction to (like the Cruiser and the Razr) appeal to the reptile. Sure, some people love it others hate it, but it does have impact. Another angle on this is: designing so the rational brain has an excuse to buy.
If just read Dr Clotaire’s ‘Culture Code’ work where he talks about purchasing decisions basically coming from the instinctive, ‘reptile brain’. Yet it helps sales if the product not only appeals to the reptile brain, but also appeases the rational brain, thus giving it an ‘alibi’ to buy.

Perhaps a flashy display of features on a phone works as an excuse for the rational brain, whereas the sleek sexy razr itself appeals directly to the reptile.
So my point is that the display of complexity and nifty features - even though they don’t get used - may be understood in this light.

Dr Clotaire - who helped design the PT Cruiser along these principles - notes that products we have a gut reaction to (like the Cruiser and the Razr) appeal to the reptile. Sure, some people love it others hate it, but it does have impact.

]]> By: Benjamin Ho http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-72862 Benjamin Ho Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:13:49 +0000 http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-72862 I think this is one area where there can be an improvement. In my own blog, I talk about how Ego is not important and that we're merely messengers in many cases, but educated messengers that are always here to serve our users and development team. That's being in the usability profession. In regards to obtaining products for flash or to serve your own ego, I don't believe it has much to do with that - though I can be proven wrong with others' mindsets. For me, I want to experience certain products, not so much really to "own them so you can see me use it". I don't flaunt anything I have as I just use them. And if it so happens that someone asks about it, well, I believe that's natural so that they are inquisitive about the experience, not the "status" of the product itself. I think everyone is in search of a great experience, and unfortunately, many will shell out more than its worth through credit. I think this is one area where there can be an improvement. In my own blog, I talk about how Ego is not important and that we’re merely messengers in many cases, but educated messengers that are always here to serve our users and development team. That’s being in the usability profession.

In regards to obtaining products for flash or to serve your own ego, I don’t believe it has much to do with that - though I can be proven wrong with others’ mindsets. For me, I want to experience certain products, not so much really to “own them so you can see me use it”. I don’t flaunt anything I have as I just use them. And if it so happens that someone asks about it, well, I believe that’s natural so that they are inquisitive about the experience, not the “status” of the product itself.

I think everyone is in search of a great experience, and unfortunately, many will shell out more than its worth through credit.

]]> By: Daniel Szuc http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-72603 Daniel Szuc Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:07:52 +0000 http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2007/04/18/designing-for-the-ego/#comment-72603 Random thoughts ... Ego can also sneak in when you least expect it when working on projects. Without a focus on the user or a corporate culture that support it, everyone ends up just protecting their own job function or simply just works to meet their deliverables independent of the quality. Perhaps design goals up front help to clarify. Random thoughts … Ego can also sneak in when you least expect it when working on projects. Without a focus on the user or a corporate culture that support it, everyone ends up just protecting their own job function or simply just works to meet their deliverables independent of the quality.

Perhaps design goals up front help to clarify.

]]>