Comments on: Bad Design: Freespirit treadmill interface http://elbowroomdesign.com/musings/230/bad-design-freespirit-treadmill-interface/ Graphic Design Trends, Tips and Reviews Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:54:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Neil http://elbowroomdesign.com/musings/230/bad-design-freespirit-treadmill-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-505 Neil Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:05:17 +0000 http://www.elbowroomdesign.com/musings/230/bad-design-freespirit-treadmill-interface/#comment-505 Thanks for the comment Amy. Kevan would like to write a post on your dad's biking shorts. Thanks for the comment Amy. Kevan would like to write a post on your dad’s biking shorts.

]]> By: Amy Browne http://elbowroomdesign.com/musings/230/bad-design-freespirit-treadmill-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-497 Amy Browne Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:54:32 +0000 http://www.elbowroomdesign.com/musings/230/bad-design-freespirit-treadmill-interface/#comment-497 If this treadmill had a mouth, I think the only thing it could yell is "low budget!!" and maybe some slang phrase from the 80's like "that's bogus!". Its almost as if the company didn't invest any money or time in consumer response to their product vs others, or in comparison to their competition. If they did, I don't think it would look like this. Even at a low budget, they can drop the cheesy graph paper background and simplify the buttons/fonts as mentioned. The "function over design" attitude will get companies nowhere fast in a time where most consumers seem to care more if stuff looks cool rather than works well (there are exceptions of course, like my dad for example, whose biking shorts are a fashion monstrosity, however they "work well" and therefore he doesn't care if he is seen in public wearing them). However, I think people like him are few and far between, and fading fast as our consumer products look fancier every year. If I was a treadmill designer, first and foremost I would want people to look at my machine, and want to exercise. A visit to my local YMCA this summer found me in awe and excited as I ran on a treadmill that was entirely touch screen equipped with different running backgrounds and cable TV. Now that is how you keep up with the active citizens of 2007. A YMCA filled with Freespirit's would likely send many people looking for a new gym. One day I will visit ERD headquarters with my walkman, adidas shorts, sweatband and leg warmers to match the era that this treadmill seems to be designed for. Let me also add that I am quite impressed that you could write 662 words simply on the design of a treadmill. Well done. If this treadmill had a mouth, I think the only thing it could yell is “low budget!!” and maybe some slang phrase from the 80′s like “that’s bogus!”. Its almost as if the company didn’t invest any money or time in consumer response to their product vs others, or in comparison to their competition. If they did, I don’t think it would look like this. Even at a low budget, they can drop the cheesy graph paper background and simplify the buttons/fonts as mentioned. The “function over design” attitude will get companies nowhere fast in a time where most consumers seem to care more if stuff looks cool rather than works well (there are exceptions of course, like my dad for example, whose biking shorts are a fashion monstrosity, however they “work well” and therefore he doesn’t care if he is seen in public wearing them). However, I think people like him are few and far between, and fading fast as our consumer products look fancier every year. If I was a treadmill designer, first and foremost I would want people to look at my machine, and want to exercise.

A visit to my local YMCA this summer found me in awe and excited as I ran on a treadmill that was entirely touch screen equipped with different running backgrounds and cable TV. Now that is how you keep up with the active citizens of 2007. A YMCA filled with Freespirit’s would likely send many people looking for a new gym. One day I will visit ERD headquarters with my walkman, adidas shorts, sweatband and leg warmers to match the era that this treadmill seems to be designed for.

Let me also add that I am quite impressed that you could write 662 words simply on the design of a treadmill. Well done.

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