Every day there seems to be another thread on how Apple is doomed because its hardware designs are so "samey" (apparently, Samsung is the way forward). Just because each annual iteration of iPhone or iPad isn't some brand new monumental breakthrough in industrial design does it mean Apple is running out of design inspiration?
As an aesthete (or someone who thinks of himself as one), I can see the beauty in truly great design whether it's a can opener, a chair, a car or a phone. If it truly is good design then it will always be a thing of beauty - just because it is a year old, doesn't make it any less attractive. OK, all the techno-bobbins inside, sure enough, they need to constantly evolve to incorporate new technologies but, taking the new iphone and iPad mini as examples, what about them, externally, needs to change? In two years time, if they were running with cutting edge guts but looked more or less the same, would everyone be wailing that they're dull, uninspiring, outdated?
Do they look good now because they're new or because they are examples of good design?
How about if the design just evolves? Is that proof of a company lacking inspiration or a company constantly fine tuning good design?
I have quite a sizeable collection of iPods. Yes, my 2G Classic is a bit of a brick but it is still a fantastic chunk of plastic and metal. Line all my iPods up and I can see an evolution in design because they were allowed to evolve; a distinct family resemblance with each one slightly different in form and function from the last. But the iPod release never really had the rabid followers that new phone releases now suffer. So, what will happen to iPhones and other iOS devices if consumer demand continues to unnaturally and greedily push for "different" every year? Will Apple run out of ideas or will it bring about a great new wave of design?
As an aesthete (or someone who thinks of himself as one), I can see the beauty in truly great design whether it's a can opener, a chair, a car or a phone. If it truly is good design then it will always be a thing of beauty - just because it is a year old, doesn't make it any less attractive. OK, all the techno-bobbins inside, sure enough, they need to constantly evolve to incorporate new technologies but, taking the new iphone and iPad mini as examples, what about them, externally, needs to change? In two years time, if they were running with cutting edge guts but looked more or less the same, would everyone be wailing that they're dull, uninspiring, outdated?
Do they look good now because they're new or because they are examples of good design?
How about if the design just evolves? Is that proof of a company lacking inspiration or a company constantly fine tuning good design?
I have quite a sizeable collection of iPods. Yes, my 2G Classic is a bit of a brick but it is still a fantastic chunk of plastic and metal. Line all my iPods up and I can see an evolution in design because they were allowed to evolve; a distinct family resemblance with each one slightly different in form and function from the last. But the iPod release never really had the rabid followers that new phone releases now suffer. So, what will happen to iPhones and other iOS devices if consumer demand continues to unnaturally and greedily push for "different" every year? Will Apple run out of ideas or will it bring about a great new wave of design?