Industrial Design: the iPod

The iPod is an object that is mass-produced and consumed by many. The iPod is probably the most well-known and owned mp3 device among American citizens, and because of this, its design must be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and easy to use.

Everyone knows an iPod when they see one. The shape of a rectangle, we are attracted to its sleek and simple design. When looking at the classic iPod, black and silver are the only colors available. This adds to the simplicity of the design and is what, like most Apple products, initially attracts us to it. The color screen gives us a focus point on the iPod, obviously the part that we will gain the spotlight the most when we use our iPods. The screen is bright and calls out to its user. However, what we don’t notice is the touch pad underneath the screen, which offers a sense of subtle balance to the device. Without, it, the iPod would seem way too heavy on the top. We would feel an extra sense of emptiness when looking at our iPods.

The width of the iPod is not too thick and it is the perfect size to carry in your hand. This adds to its aesthetic and attractiveness. As the saying goes, “Sometimes less is better.” With the iPod, all that is needed in mass-consumption of an mp3 player is a rectangle, a circle, and a screen.