Bringing Tech to Life: The Art of Infusing Personality into Products

Yes, even products have personality, and we’re talking about the set of qualities that people use to describe a specific product or software. You may have heard of Jony Ive, the genius behind Apple’s amazing tech products. According to Ive, Apple’s former Chief Design Officer, products should have a character, a soul. It’s not only about how it looks but also how it feels and how it fits into consumers’ lives.

The big question is, how can software companies work out such an elusive design philosophy? We’re about to find out.

The Challenge Beyond Design

Infusing personality into your product or software design is an art in and of itself. In this case, design is no longer just about form or interface but a means of storytelling expressed via the overall user experience. It transcends beyond design and ultimately becomes a matter of lifestyle and connection.

This challenge can be overcome by finding the sweet spot between form and function. To do this, product designers should put more thought and care into all the subtleties of the design elements and the audience’s demographics. One should be able to deeply understand the target audience and choose the right design elements that can create the cohesive whole. There are a lot of nuances beyond colors and shapes. A product should not only be functional but also fun and easy and memorable all in one. It should be simple, intuitive, clean, and efficient. If the user can navigate the product without a steep learning curve, the experience instantly becomes positive and comfortable. The ease breeds personal attachment and emotional connection because the user perceives the product as something created for them– with their needs, preferences, and pain points in mind.

Rediscovering the Soul of Technology

Let’s go back to Jony Ive who designed many of Apple’s successful products including the iMac, the iPod, and the iPhone. Ive is one of the iconic product designers who made the entire tech world care more about design. It’s not just about sheer utility. It’s about purposeful innovation and always finding ways to make things better. Like Steve Jobs, Jony Ive was obsessed with creating the very best in every aspect of Apple’s products. Apple’s iconic creations were born out of the constant pursuit of ‘better’. There were a lot of refinements and reiterations until they created masterpieces that were so simple and intuitive they almost appeared– in Jony’s words– “un-designed”. You can infuse such personality and soul into your own products by also putting more effort into making your creations seem ‘effortless’.

As mentioned, it’s about finding the right balance between functionality and aesthetics. Your design decisions can make or break how users engage with your product and with your brand. 10 years ago, Jony Ive stepped away from using skeuomorphic design elements. Skeuomorphism is a design style that mimics the qualities or appearance of real-life objects, making the product more familiar and understandable. Skeuomorphism made sense when the world was still transitioning to smartphones, but now that we’re more and more accustomed to the digital world, Ive felt the need to adopt a new style and infuse a new medium. Times change, designs change, trends change. Designers should always be committed to pursuing versions that are better, cleaner, simpler, more intuitive, and more sensible.

Personality in Tech

Infusing personality into tech products is all about focusing on human-centered elements and adopting a more holistic design approach. Product designers should also remember the importance of constant refinement and ongoing pursuit of what makes sense to the world today while looking into key future trends.

Take the time to understand your audience, their needs and preferences and choose intuitive elements while also maximizing innovation. Consider the human elements as you form the product’s utility. Tap into timeless design principles. Learn from the best like Jony Ive on Dieter Rams. Define your identity and see how you can make your product a part of the world’s way of life. Once you can successfully fit into the users’ lives, you’ve already won half the battle. The rest of the glory lies in how you adapt and evolve amid the changing times and how you remain personable and relevant.

Conclusion

Breathing life into tech products is all about creating something that feels like it has its own character. There are many subtle ways to go about it beyond form and utility. It’s all about your willingness to be more thoughtful and deliberate, adaptable and ingenious. Everything adds up. Just take the time to know your audience and find ways to seamlessly blend your creation into people’s lives.