Assignment 1 - Pleasure with products

Visceral Design

What I learnt (or perceived)
It is the first impression that users have with a product, perceived by its appearance and outlook.



The above multimedia speaker is by Harman Kardon. It is quite a reputable brand and produces a lot high quality speakers, in terms of looks and sound.

This speaker set looks sleek and the looks of the speakers suggests it might sound good, it is not the case. Users may find this speaker of average performance. Subwoofer isn't as strong as it should given its size. Most people who bought this speakers just wanna make his/her desktop look nice. (nice decoration for $300+)

Visceral: Sleek, beautiful, modern
Behavioural: Looks does not compliment performance, average sound, poor quality.
Reflective: A good brand but not good enough to bring value to the owner's status

Behavioral Design

I've learnt that behavioral design is the overall feel and pleasure and the effectiveness of use of the product.

This product is the Creative Megaworks 250D. It looks like an ordinary set of black boxes with a relatively huge subwoofer box (which automatically mean powerful sound). However, don't judge a book by its cover. This set of speakers is THX-Certified (audiophile would know what this is) and has a 150-watt subwoofer. Sound is crisp and powerful. Deep bass with clear treble is how a listener would describe. It costs $200+.

Viseral: Ordinary looking, powerful sound looking

Behavioural: Powerful sound, worth the money, good sounding

Reflective: Not for showing off as Creative is an inexpensive local brand.

Reflective Design

I've learnt that reflective design is the image that the product portrays. Users may require further thoughts on how effective the product is in upholding the user's class.

This product is the Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speakers. Audiophiles would know this brand very well. This is because Bose has a very well-known track record of producing high quality sound systems. Many places are equiped with Bose systems (including our LTs). This brand is a high end one and it comes with a price. Many yearn to own this product but find it too expensive.
Visceral: Ordinary looking, Small subwoofer suggest weak bass

Behavioural: Powerful sound despite small, save space in placement

Reflective: High end product that would bring class to the user, shows status in user's taste