I am late in coming to this blog thing. At first I didn't get it. Why would people write them and even more so, why would people read them? But now I get it. Well, at least the power of companies tapping into their communities and people with similar interests coming together. I am still unconvinced anyone will want to read my rants.
Yes, this blog will be about my design rants. My pet peeves, issues with clients, etc. No worries though, I will not name names. I don't pretend to be a writer, but I do have opinions. The lucky thing for you is that you are not required to read them.
Design Rant #1: Overpackaging
I received some computer software for xmas. It was packaged in that box that we all have come to associate with software. The box style originally designed to hold a jewel case as well as a manual. It has become what people use to sell software in retail outlets. You see that size box and you think softwarre. The problem is that no one actually fills the box anymore.
My box contained only a jewel case. The box is at least 12 inches tall, 8 inches wide and 2 inches deep - and it only contained 1 small jewel case. talk about overkill. And to make it worse, it contained additional cardboard to keep the jewel case from rattling around.
To preserve retail shelf space software is way over packaged. With downloadable manuals (or lack there of), there is no need for the large boxes we are used to seeing for most consumer software. No one wants to reduce the size of the box because that will reduce shelf space. So, instead we waste a lot of paper to sell more software. So much for a paperless future.
Some companies are testing smaller boxes. I commend Intuit for leading the charge. I would like to see the big box go the way of the original CD packaging. My guess is this won't be nearly as swift. Hopefully companies will eventually learn that they can save costs through smaller packages.
