The Industrial Design of iPods

In our modern society, we are constantly surrounded by millions of industrialized items. Such items include kitchen utensils, television, furniture, gaming systems, computers, and many other materialistic objects we have grown fond of and even dependent on over the years. However, the most iconic of industrialized items today is the iPod, one of Apple's numerous successful products. What makes iPods more preferrable over all the other music players out there? Is it because of the popularity surrounding the product? Or is it because of its simplistic yet effective design? Although some people may purchase the newest version of the iPod just to keep up with the ever-changing trends, we should not underestimate the power of clever designs.

When analyzing the features of the more recent "generations" of the iPod nano, we will notice that color variety is emphasized. The purpose of the wide selection of colors allows consumers to find the right one that fits their personality. The vibrant colors used also pop out at the consumers, calling for attention and creating a sense of liveliness that goes well with music lovers. Additionally, the body of the iPods have a smooth shiny texture. Aside from their chromatic aspects, iPod nanos have bilateral symmetry; if one were to draw a vertical line down the middle of the music device, one would find that the left side is a mirror image of the right side and vise versa. The click wheel of the iPod has continuity in the sense that an individual can find the “menu” option, then follow the line of the circle to find the other options such as “next,” “play/pause,” and “back.” A person’s eyes can simply follow the white or black circle to find all the functions he or she will need for a good music experience. When the iPod is turned off, the large rectangular screen contrasts with the usually white click wheel. This contrast serves as a color balance for the overall design, as well as the focal points. Moreover, the viewing screen is proportionally larger than the click wheel, making it easier for users to see titles of songs, play games, and more. Last but not least, the design of iPod nanos involves only features that are necessary for efficient functioning. Other than the screen, the click wheel, the plugs for earphones and the charger, and the “hold” switch, there are no extra buttons or slots. Just as Jonathan Ive said in Objectified, if something is not indicating something, it should not be incorporated in the design in the first place.

Overall, Apple is known for many of its industrialized products. The iPod nano is just one. However, due to its functional and appealing design, iPod nanos remain popular out of all the other music players being produced, continually becoming a material want for most music lovers.

*Photo taken from TechFresh