Design Support with James Dyson: Insights on Designing Products that Last and Work Well
Summary
In this article, we delve into the insights shared by James Dyson, a renowned designer, during a Design Support session on Twitter. Dyson talks about his favorite and least favorite designed products, his design heroes, and how suction works. He also shares his thoughts on the advantages of being a naive and curious designer, advice for inventors, and the biggest challenge for UX designers, product designers, and product managers.
Table of Contents
- James Dyson’s Best and Worst-Designed Products
- Design Heroes: Alec Issigonis and Akio Morita
- How Suction Works
- The Advantages of Being a Naive and Curious Designer
- Advice for Inventors
- The Biggest Challenge for Designers and Product Managers
- Noise Level of Hand Dryers and the Bladeless Fan “Sorcer”
James Dyson’s Best and Worst-Designed Products
James Dyson shares his favorite and least favorite designed products during the Design Support session. His favorite is a pencil sharpener made of cast aluminum that has spots to store pencils, works well, and has lasted for 30 years. In contrast, his least favorite is a printer.
Design Heroes: Alec Issigonis and Akio Morita
Dyson admires the work of Alec Issigonis, who designed the Mini, and Akio Morita, who designed the Sony Walkman. He praises the Mini’s timeless design and the Walkman’s bravery in being a tape recorder that only plays back.
How Suction Works
Dyson explains that suction is created by a high-speed airflow generated by an electric motor and turbine. This technology is used in his company’s products, such as the cyclonic vacuum cleaner.
The Advantages of Being a Naive and Curious Designer
Dyson believes that lack of experience can be a great help because experts are inhibited by their knowledge and experience. He cites an example of his own experience in developing a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, where his lack of knowledge in the field led him to come up with a new and innovative solution.
Advice for Inventors
Dyson advises inventors to build a prototype before filing for a patent and to do it themselves, especially for mechanical or technological products. This approach helps inventors understand the product better and make necessary improvements.
The Biggest Challenge for Designers and Product Managers
According to Dyson, the biggest challenge for UX designers, product designers, and product managers is speed, as products require a diverse range of experts to be completed quickly.
Noise Level of Hand Dryers and the Bladeless Fan “Sorcer”
Dyson sympathizes with the noise level of hand dryers but explains that any fast turbine moving air is inherently noisy. He has developed a bladeless fan, which he describes as “sorcer,” to address this issue.
Conclusion
James Dyson’s insights on design provide valuable lessons for designers and inventors looking to create products that last and work well. His emphasis on being naive and curious, building prototypes, and addressing challenges such as speed and noise can help designers and inventors create innovative and successful products.
