Lee Dunbar

Dec

10

DVDs in general have to be one of the poorest designed user experiences. When I drop $25 – $30 on the newest release, I just want to watch the movie, and being the geek I am, likely the bonus features as well, (I’m especially fond of the ‘making of’ videos).

First, it takes me 5 minutes to rip through the packaging – but that’s best left for another discussion. Once you get the DVD into the machine, you are likely faced with a number of previews, copyright notices and then some sort of animation to get to the main menu. Sometimes you can skip through these, many times all the control functions are locked, meaning you can’t skip right to the menu. That’s simply a pain.

I understand that the studios want to promote their other titles, and good on them for realizing that the best market is their existing customers – just don’t force us to sit through them. If its my second or third time watching the movie –anyone like myself with kids has probably seen some movies about ten too many times – do I really need to endure the torture of sitting through all the previews each time?

Even after you get to the menu, why the necessity of the 30 or 40 second animation to get to the screen I wanted to get to? If I choose to ‘view movie’, do I really need to see some sort of animation to get to the start of the film? Does it enhance my experience? In most cases, not likely. And again, at the very least, don’t lock the control functions so I can press the skip button.

Now, the movie starts and you’re watching, the volume is set and everything is great. All of a sudden the soundtrack will kick in, or there’s some sort of dynamic effect like an explosion – the house shakes, the good china and crystal fall off the shelf in the buffet and all your fillings loosen. I understand that some people would like the theatre experience, I certainly do, but at least add a second surround track (rather than simply using the 2.0) that has a more narrow dynamic range.

This would allow people to get the theatre experience on surround systems, that is a little more appropriate to home viewing rather than in a theatre. Luckily, I discovered that my receiver does have setting for this. I still get great surround sound, but at a more narrow range. I can hear everything people are saying, and my windows don’t blow out when there’s some sort of effect.

Like with anything else, when designing a DVD, look at the end users’ goals. Try to enhance the experience, rather than add roadblocks that detract from it. Keep it simple.

Tags: Design Stuff, Experience Design Stuff
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May

12

Here is a video that I came across today. It is a clip from a Japanese newscast reporting on a very blatant rip-off of Disneyland that is located in China. Everything looks familiar enough, although there are many things, such as the characters removing their costumes in public, that would have Walt rolling in his grave.

So I guess that China offers more than cheap imitations of technology and DVDs – they are even offering cheap imitations of tourist destinations.

Tags: Brand Experience Stuff, Business Stuff, Community Stuff, Experience Design Stuff
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Mar

22

Life ExperiencesSo I’m wandering around the local Shoppers Drug Mart killing time while waiting for a prescription for my young son. In our travels through the aisles, we came across a section of shelving merchandised with a bunch of hanging tabbed cards.

What is this? I look through the cards to discover that they are gift certificates of sorts. Branded as Life Experiences, trips and services may be purchased and then redeemed by the recipient. Available in four categories (family fun, romance, adventure and pamper), products sold through this program include a trip to a reptile zoo, maid service for a day, white water rafting and a romantic getaway at a number of hotels and resorts.

What is truly unique about this product/service offered by Shoppers isn’t the experience being bought – but the method of the buying experience itself. Shoppers has added a unique product category to their mix and has developed a new channel for local destinations and business to market themselves and sell their wares.

Tags: Brand Experience Stuff, Business Stuff, Marketing Stuff, Retail Stuff
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Feb

19

Will it Blend?

February 19, 2007

Will it Blend?Came across a great use of video that has generated a great deal of publicity for a common household product – a blender.

Blendtec, a manufacturer of commercial and home blenders has developed a web site called Will it Blend to accompany its main Blendtec web site.

The web site features a number of videos reminiscent of David Letterman’s ’throwing things off a building’ shtick. Guests to the web site are asked to suggest an item to be blended. Categorized into two sections, ‘don’t try this at home’ and ‘try this at home’, the videos include an iPod, toy cars, hockey pucks and Barbie dolls being blending into a million bits.

This company has found a fun and unique way to demonstrate the USP for the product – its durability and power.

There is an adage that if you can take the product out of a commercial and you don’t miss it, it probably isn’t a very good commercial. While this campaign is fun and most certainly viral, it does a great job to showcase the product itself. Too many brands come up with extremely creative ideas that may be viral and gain a lot of exposure because of the content, but they fail to showcase the brand and persuade anyone of its usefulness.

Tags: Funny Stuff, Marketing Stuff, Neat Stuff
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Jan

11

Who would pay to work? A company called Vocation Vacations is hedging that a number of people will pay a fee to experience their dream job or maybe satisfy a curiosity, ”What if I made that investment and became a brew master of my own micro brewery? Followed my dreams and became a wedding coordinator? Took broadcasting in college to become an announcer at a sporting event?”

Vocation VacationIf you visit their web site, the company contends that they are offering you a risk-free chance to try your dream job without having to quit your current job or in the case of an entrepreneur, make a huge financial commitment. Pay them a fee and you’ll be matched with a mentor who will show you the ropes and allow you to learn about and experience the career you are interested in.

The web site lists a diverse array of available occupation experiences including actor, public relations firm owner, photographer, pit crew member, park ranger and hotel manager, while future opportunities include zoo manager, pet groomer, news reporter and dance club manager.

It’s a real fun idea and I have to admit I am the type of person who finds this idea quite compelling. I am quite happy doing what I am doing, but it’s always fun to get out of your element and try new experiences.

Tags: Business Stuff, Neat Stuff
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