Ihome

What does a clock, radio, and an iphone/ipod charger all have in common?  They are all part of the innovative ihome.  A simple electronic device suited to fit the everyday needs of their consumer.  The ergonomics of this design are broken down with easy to use buttons and a remote control to create simple accessibility.  With a five-step process known as the basic design criticism the ihome is broken down into the safety, comfort, ease of use, performance, and aesthetics, all in which target the needs of the consumer. 

The safety of the ihome contains two main points, physically and emotionally.  Physically, the ihome gives the consumer an all in one compact clock/radio.  The ihome prides itself on giving an accurate and safe interaction between the radio and the charging of the iphone.  It prevents the nation’s problem of GSM noise, the buzzing sound when both the radio speakers and iphone are on.  Emotionally, the ihome gives safety and reassurance to the consumer’s daily routine.  The ihome sets alarms, snoozes, and dates, which allows an emotional security.  Similarly, the emotional safety coincides with the ihome’s comfort towards its consumers. 

The comfort of the ihome emphasizes ergonomics goal, which is to create a design perfectly suited for its consumers ease.  The compact size gives comfort in that the clock and radio is all inclusive, without the need for extra speakers, outlets, or chargers.  This allows the consumer to feel comfort in that they don’t have to deal with extra electronic accessories.

In order to ensure ease of use, all that is required for the ihome are batteries, an outlet, and an area with accurate radio signal.  After following the self-explanatory instructions the consumer is able to fully use the ihome to its greatest expectations.  They are able to do so, for the top of the ihome is accurately labeled with easy to read, English friendly words.  The distance between the ihome and the consumer is not a problem, for the remote control can access all of the same functions as though the consumer was manually controlling it. 

Overall, the performance of the ihome is reliable when placed in an appropriate area of the room.  The consumer wants to avoid the interference between their television and the radio.  This can be easily fixed with simply altering the location of the radio antenna, or simply furthering the distance between the radio and the television.     

The design of the ihome is well thought out and precise.  The form, relating to the shape and structure of the object, visually creates a compact shape symbolizing a small electronic.  The skilled proportion of the ihome is important, for the all in one clock radio is minute compared to other large electronics, which may surround it such as: speakers, television, computers and other large accessories.  The rectangular shape, with its straight lines gives the consumer’s eye a concrete visual.  This is important because people want this clean electronic as part of an accessory in either their house or office.  The ihome works as an accessory, for it comes in a variety of colors designed especially for the consumer’s taste in style. 

The ihome comes full circle when the manufactures take the time to think out the needs of their consumer.  Without the hours of time and thought put into the electronic, the consumer would easily encounter unnecessary problems, ultimately hurting the production and reputation of the ipod name. 


Image found from google images.