
80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule, as it applies to the design of the Blackberry Pearl, would seem to dictate that twenty percent of the device’s features will account for eighty percent of the device’s use.
There is a button conveniently located on the left side of the device that activates voice dialling. Several letters are assigned to each key of the Pearl as opposed to the traditional Blackberry with a full keyboard. The keyboard accommodation, the compact shape, along with the voice dialling button leads people to use the device primarily as a phone.
RIM also provides their customers the unique opportunity to choose their primary on-screen icons while hiding away unwanted icons. This presents speed and efficiency in communications, giving users the chance to choose the features they wish to focus on.
The Blackberry provides a further less cumbersome system by leading users directly to their inboxes from the middle scroll button.
As the 80/20 rule applies to the Blackberry Pearl it dictates that 80 percent of the user’s time will be dedicated to only 20 percent of the features. The design of the Blackberry Pearl encourages users to use the device as a phone, seemingly making 20 percent of the salient features based around the phone.
Archetypes
Besides Blackberry advertisements funded by telecommunications companies, appears that Blackberry has not defined itself through any particular RIM focused advertising campaign. The look and feel of the Blackberry Pearl is a clear indication its success. The dense and sleek design makes the phone small enough for a student to carry. Meanwhile the device still carries all the features essential for a young professional. The Pearl design broad enough that no archetype defines the product.
Accessibility
The design of the Blackberry Pearl does not accommodate everyone with sensory disabilities. For instance, there is not brail on the keys to direct people lacking vision. Nonetheless the design is very intuitive and has achieved simplicity. The design of the Blackberry Pearl follows the basic guidelines of phones. This is achieved by setting the far left button to making calls, the button on the right to end calls, while the middle scroll button gives the user access to the internet. By following this typical template, the Blackberry Pearl gives consumers a simple and perceptible user experience.
Affordance
The Blackberry Pearl differs from the original Blackberry design by primarily acting as a cell phone rather than an e-mail device. The affordance of the Blackberry Pearl corresponds with its role as a cell phone by:
Focusing on the number keys rather then the letter keys by assigning several letters to each key
The addition of a voice dialling key to the left side of the phone
Designing the phone to be compact.
Alignment
The Blackberry Pearl adequately follows the rules of alignment. Accurate alignment leads users through the design. For instance, upon turning on the device the on-screen icons are lined up on the left side from top-to-bottom. When the user goes to the full icon menu their top six icons are lined up from left-to-right. The design of the Blackberry Pearl leads the eyes accordingly to through the device, achieving substantial alignment.
Cognitive Dissonance
The popularity of the Blackberry has eliminated the need for intense viral marketing. This is because consumers constantly see their peers with the device and feel a state of cognitive dissonance. For example, they may feel that in order to feel apart of their peer group they must prove themselves by purchasing a Blackberry Pearl. In order to alleviate the dissonance the consumer can buy the product or reduce and change the importance of the dissonance by disregarding the need.
Colour
The Blackberry Pearl is available in a wide-array of colours. The design of the device only allows for the colour of the user’s choice and a silver accent. This limited colour palette saves the eyes from being overwhelmed by contrasting colours. The large selection of colours available gives users the opportunity to personalize the device. For example, young professionals may choose desaturated colours to appear friendly and professional while the more serious professional may choose saturated colours.
Classical Conditioning
It seems unusual to correlate classical conditioning with technology. However in North America possessions can act as a sign of elitism or status, evoking either a positive or negative reaction in people. For example, the Blackberry Pearl is seen as a status symbol for a tech savvy and successful person. As the product becomes increasingly popular people continually associate it with images of youthful success and prominence related to the young executive, stimulating the reward centers in the brain. This stimulation causes people to correlate the Blackberry Pearl with these specific thoughts and feelings. By affecting the human brain, emotions are tied to the product and stimulate the reward portion of the brain upon purchasing of the device.
The 80/20 rule, as it applies to the design of the Blackberry Pearl, would seem to dictate that twenty percent of the device’s features will account for eighty percent of the device’s use.
There is a button conveniently located on the left side of the device that activates voice dialling. Several letters are assigned to each key of the Pearl as opposed to the traditional Blackberry with a full keyboard. The keyboard accommodation, the compact shape, along with the voice dialling button leads people to use the device primarily as a phone.
RIM also provides their customers the unique opportunity to choose their primary on-screen icons while hiding away unwanted icons. This presents speed and efficiency in communications, giving users the chance to choose the features they wish to focus on.
The Blackberry provides a further less cumbersome system by leading users directly to their inboxes from the middle scroll button.
As the 80/20 rule applies to the Blackberry Pearl it dictates that 80 percent of the user’s time will be dedicated to only 20 percent of the features. The design of the Blackberry Pearl encourages users to use the device as a phone, seemingly making 20 percent of the salient features based around the phone.
Archetypes
Besides Blackberry advertisements funded by telecommunications companies, appears that Blackberry has not defined itself through any particular RIM focused advertising campaign. The look and feel of the Blackberry Pearl is a clear indication its success. The dense and sleek design makes the phone small enough for a student to carry. Meanwhile the device still carries all the features essential for a young professional. The Pearl design broad enough that no archetype defines the product.
Accessibility
The design of the Blackberry Pearl does not accommodate everyone with sensory disabilities. For instance, there is not brail on the keys to direct people lacking vision. Nonetheless the design is very intuitive and has achieved simplicity. The design of the Blackberry Pearl follows the basic guidelines of phones. This is achieved by setting the far left button to making calls, the button on the right to end calls, while the middle scroll button gives the user access to the internet. By following this typical template, the Blackberry Pearl gives consumers a simple and perceptible user experience.
Affordance
The Blackberry Pearl differs from the original Blackberry design by primarily acting as a cell phone rather than an e-mail device. The affordance of the Blackberry Pearl corresponds with its role as a cell phone by:
Focusing on the number keys rather then the letter keys by assigning several letters to each key
The addition of a voice dialling key to the left side of the phone
Designing the phone to be compact.
Alignment
The Blackberry Pearl adequately follows the rules of alignment. Accurate alignment leads users through the design. For instance, upon turning on the device the on-screen icons are lined up on the left side from top-to-bottom. When the user goes to the full icon menu their top six icons are lined up from left-to-right. The design of the Blackberry Pearl leads the eyes accordingly to through the device, achieving substantial alignment.
Cognitive Dissonance
The popularity of the Blackberry has eliminated the need for intense viral marketing. This is because consumers constantly see their peers with the device and feel a state of cognitive dissonance. For example, they may feel that in order to feel apart of their peer group they must prove themselves by purchasing a Blackberry Pearl. In order to alleviate the dissonance the consumer can buy the product or reduce and change the importance of the dissonance by disregarding the need.
Colour
The Blackberry Pearl is available in a wide-array of colours. The design of the device only allows for the colour of the user’s choice and a silver accent. This limited colour palette saves the eyes from being overwhelmed by contrasting colours. The large selection of colours available gives users the opportunity to personalize the device. For example, young professionals may choose desaturated colours to appear friendly and professional while the more serious professional may choose saturated colours.
Classical Conditioning
It seems unusual to correlate classical conditioning with technology. However in North America possessions can act as a sign of elitism or status, evoking either a positive or negative reaction in people. For example, the Blackberry Pearl is seen as a status symbol for a tech savvy and successful person. As the product becomes increasingly popular people continually associate it with images of youthful success and prominence related to the young executive, stimulating the reward centers in the brain. This stimulation causes people to correlate the Blackberry Pearl with these specific thoughts and feelings. By affecting the human brain, emotions are tied to the product and stimulate the reward portion of the brain upon purchasing of the device.
Chunking
Similar to all Blackberrys the Pearl is an intuitive design with little need for instruction. However the influx of information within the device can be an overwhelming thought. Blackberry successfully combats information overload by formatting sections of information into small and compact units. Each section is chunked into a small on-screen icon. A frequent user of the Pearl would be able to easily anticipate where an icon is located by memorizing the position. This allows users to set aside problem-solving skills and easily recall and navigate the Blackberry’s inner system.
Aesthetic-Usability Effect
Blackberry was once a device unique to professionals. However with the emergence of the Blackberry Pearl the consumer base was dramatically transformed. The Blackberry Pearl’s new chic and compact design influenced new consumers to hop on the Blackberry bandwagon. This is because the highly aesthetic design includes smooth trackball navigation, a wide variety of opalescent and gem-like colours, and a compact hand-held shape. This aesthetic design fosters positive feelings for the users leading them to believe that the phone is of higher quality. Furthermore the higher price paid by the consumer is validated by the strong aesthetic appeal. Similar to Mac, the elite Blackberry Pearl design fosters feeling of affection and exclusivity amongst users. When fellow Blackberry users come in contact camaraderie is immediately established, giving users a feeling of self-satisfaction and a sense of loyalty to the product. Consequently, this positive relationship makes users believe that the system within the device is more organized and easier to use.
Similar to all Blackberrys the Pearl is an intuitive design with little need for instruction. However the influx of information within the device can be an overwhelming thought. Blackberry successfully combats information overload by formatting sections of information into small and compact units. Each section is chunked into a small on-screen icon. A frequent user of the Pearl would be able to easily anticipate where an icon is located by memorizing the position. This allows users to set aside problem-solving skills and easily recall and navigate the Blackberry’s inner system.
Aesthetic-Usability Effect
Blackberry was once a device unique to professionals. However with the emergence of the Blackberry Pearl the consumer base was dramatically transformed. The Blackberry Pearl’s new chic and compact design influenced new consumers to hop on the Blackberry bandwagon. This is because the highly aesthetic design includes smooth trackball navigation, a wide variety of opalescent and gem-like colours, and a compact hand-held shape. This aesthetic design fosters positive feelings for the users leading them to believe that the phone is of higher quality. Furthermore the higher price paid by the consumer is validated by the strong aesthetic appeal. Similar to Mac, the elite Blackberry Pearl design fosters feeling of affection and exclusivity amongst users. When fellow Blackberry users come in contact camaraderie is immediately established, giving users a feeling of self-satisfaction and a sense of loyalty to the product. Consequently, this positive relationship makes users believe that the system within the device is more organized and easier to use.
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