Three Critical Design Principals that Drive Higher Adoption: A Bose Story
Are you optimizing the user experience for the correct user??
Does the user want control via the app or the physical product, and are they willing to pay more for both?
What trade-off are you making: product size versus battery life?
These are common questions in the development process. During our long-standing relationship with Bose, we have developed a proven process to drive success. Together we work these questions as co-creators, methodically challenging assumptions and negative transferred behaviors (behaviors learned from adjacent experiences). We’ve honed our approach to three critical factors, proven to drive higher adoption and product success. The products that our partnership has produced have seen incredibly high adoption and positive user feedback.
Define the Target Consumer
Designing a product without a clear understanding of your target audience is like embarking on a journey without a map. It's not only counterproductive but also detrimental to the product's success. A compelling example lies within our partnership with Bose, specifically in the development of Pendant Speakers. Bose initially concentrated solely on the end consumer, neglecting the installer's needs. This oversight led to a cumbersome installation process, eroding installer satisfaction and hindering product recommendations. By recognizing that the installer was an integral end user, Bose witnessed a significant boost in sales. To ensure your design truly resonates, a deep dive into consumer values, needs, and lifestyles is indispensable. Furthermore, feedback from users and concept testing aids in refining the product's relevance to their lives.
Prototype Early to Better Understand User Experience
Consumers face extremely saturated markets, so crafting a superior user experience is paramount for product success. Early prototyping can be a game-changer. In our collaboration with Bose, we employed weighted prototypes to evaluate how users interacted with and transported speakers, particularly in the case of the S1 project. These prototypes illuminated trade-offs in size, weight, power, and other features, making it clear how they influenced the overall user experience. At Nova, we ensure that each iteration of the prototype hones in on specific interactions, refining the product at every step of the way.
The Intersection of the Digital and Physical
In today's tech-driven world, the intersection of digital and physical elements is a key consideration in product design. For Bose, we delved into questions about the level of connectivity, the placement of digital interfaces, and device control mechanisms. During our collaboration on the ToneMatch projects, we spent ample time exploring digital interfaces and how they would help present information about the project to create the best possible user experience. These considerations are instrumental in delivering a holistic, user-friendly experience. As today's market demands a harmonious blend of the physical and digital, addressing these questions can be a pivotal factor in achieving high product adoption.
Our enduring partnership with Bose exemplifies the success that stems from a shared commitment to creating products with exceptional user experiences. By understanding and targeting the right consumers, embracing early prototyping, and seamlessly integrating the digital and physical realms, product designers can forge a path toward higher adoption and product success. These three pillars of product design have proven their worth, and our journey with Bose stands as a testament to their effectiveness. In a competitive landscape, focusing on these critical factors can make all the difference in achieving product success and driving higher adoption rates.
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