Working in the web dev world we would like to think we are bleeding edge smart. The AJAX effects, the in-the-cloud data storage, off-site collaboration, RoR, Symphony! But smart design is everywhere, and I love collecting examples outside our field, in every day life and learn from them:
Example 1 – Cup Noodles
Curry - my favourite flavour
You’re probably asking yourself how much smartness can you find on a food which consists of boil water, pour into container, wait 3 minutes and eat? But wait, look at this packaging design detail.
It’s a little sticker on the bottom that performs 2 functions.
The little smart sticker
First of all, it helps you open the cellophane wrapped cup. You pull it and in doing so rips part of the cellophane with it.
Part 1 of Mission complete
And its second function is helping to hold down the lid while it cooks for the 3 minutes. Absolute genius!
Part 2 of Mission Complete
Example 2 – Pizza flyer
There are 2 sizes of pizza you can order M (medium) and L (large). M is 25cm in diameter while L is 36cm. Doesn’t sound like a massive difference, right? If you were good at mental math you could work out the areas and compare them, but even then you’ve got better things to do such as picking the toppings for your half and half. On this flyer there is this diagram,
the difference between a Medium and Large Sized pizza
which serves to illustrate the difference in a easily digestible form :p . I can easily imagine how the number of large sized pizzas ordered would go up because of this little diagram. $$$
Example 3 – Underpass renovation
Close to our office is this underpass and railway bridge.
preventing costly accidents
The underpass is being renovated and as you can see from the photo, there is this new structure. On it is a sign that says up to 3.8m but the smart thing about this is that it is a few metres in front of the underpass. Imagine if it is not there and the sign is instead on the bridge, an absent-minded or out of town truck driver chooses the wrong route and does not spot the sign. Bang, he hits the bridge. Depending on speed and load, the damage could mean closing the train route until safety inspections and repairs could be done.
But now that there is the structure in place, the truck hits it before reaching and doing damage to the bridge. Simple but at the same time smart!
How about you? What are your favourite examples of smart design in every day life?