Use+Design=Objectified

The film Objectified directed by Gary Hustwit is a documentary based on the design and use of everyday objects. While viewing the film they discussed about standardization and how things are created to conform to everyday life. A question that was presented stated, “How can we design a better experience?” As designers our goal is to improve the experience for the consumer, allowing a pleasant reaction to the object

without even knowing it. Since it is important to understand the needs and wants through experimenting ourselves, it is a necessity to understand how certain objects influence our daily routines. For instance in an inf o com mercial I saw the other day was a tooth paste dispenser (right) that allowed you to only have to place your brush in the slot and the perfect amount of tooth paste would be applied to the brush. Because this device creates a hands free sensation it generates a delightful and less tedious experience with putting the tooth paste cap back on and applying the paste to the brush. By designing objects like these designers are thinking about the consumes needs, simplifying and improving everyday task.

Along with relating to the consumer and their needs we are informed in the film that our objects mean so much to use because they have a story behind them. If we did not have a connection to our object we would not care about how things work, making things easier or being comfortable. As designers we do not only create the form of an object but we design them to benefit our every day needs. By creating things that become better with time and use, consumers constantly refer to specific objects generating a standard in everyday life. As we think about the objects that we could not live without it is easy to see the impact design has on our society and how we revolve around them.