Media: Wall Street Journal takes on the Complexity of Home Appliances

Reflecting on the degree to which the complexity of the PC is being replicated in home appliances Wall Street Journal columnist Lee Gomes sees a 'new epidemic of man-machine alienation' being promoted by their manufacturers. He notes wryly that '"profound simplicity' would be the best feature, but manufacturers seem to think that sales tag wouldn't move a lot of product.' Gomes argues that the answer to these problems is good design but that 'the solution isn't always just to make things simple', noting that 'in doing so, you often deprive them of some of their usefulness'. 'Sometimes, good designers will have the courage of their convictions to force people to spend time teaching themselves how to use something worthwhile,' he observes, adding that 'most people don't mind learning a new tool if they sense that in doing so they are encountering some overall logic and design.'

Associated Link: WSJ: Appliances Have Become Like PCs: Too Complex for Their Own Good (subscription needed)

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