In the beginning was Ayurveda. Then came Baba Ramdev, and all Things were made by him. And begat he a shampoo-to-noodles empire, and all around him were vanquished.
design
The Hamburger is an Important Part of My Web Diet. Don’t Kill it Just Yet.
Hamburger menu bashing is a popular theme on almost every blog, worth its salt, writing on UX/UI. Thankfully it’s a debate, not a conclusion (here’s one). And the hamburger saviours have enough of a voice, for me to not feel nervous as I write this.
You Don’t Absolutely Love Your Vernacular Newspaper
First, the news. At a recent WPP conference, sponsor Rajasthan Patrika (the group that owns the popular daily of the same name) challenged participants to make ‘Hindi cool’. Storyboard editor Anant Rangaswami judged their efforts, not favourably; but his insightful piece argues that we should invert cause and effect. If Hindi newspapers invested in design, he says, Hindi would look cooler; and Hindi publications would get the increased advertising rates commensurate with their robust readership growth, while their English confrères continue to increase their ad rates despite feeble, none or negative growth.
We are Still Like this Only: Packaging Nostalgia, the Indian Way
It all started with a lament for the old packet of Gems, the iconic Cadbury brand that is embedded in memory as an essential currency of happiness and reward, as also a failsafe birthday cake decoration. Saying goodbye to our precious memories also makes us reflect on a legacy, for the next generation, that has been eroded.
Physique Part 3: Three Escapes from the Grip of Physique
Physique is ‘the mental imprint of a brand’s physical image, as a sensory perception”. Its power comes from its automatic nature, which escapes formal or rational thinking. It’s related to the primacy effect, psycho-speak for the power of first impressions. Once imprinted, it decides whether we ‘accept’ products that don’t fit the ‘physiqual’ mould.
Physique Part 2: Is Your Brand Physique a Constraint or an Asset?
For many product categories, a brand’s products leave a deep, indelible imprint on the mind. I call it ‘physique’, drawing upon similar usage in the literature. It is a powerful stamp, often a defining one for some brands, more so than its logo or name. It’s power comes from our automatic, helpless response to it, which precedes any formal or rational thinking. The idea is introduced more fully in my previous post.
Physique Part 1: I Like Your Body: The Grip of Physique
First, the news. When Tech Mahindra, Indian conglomerate Mahindra’s engineering and technology arm, bought a controlling stake in the Italian auto design company Pininfarina it was, said chairman Anand Mahindra, meant to address “the increasing design sensibilities of today’s consumers,” for whom “product design will greatly influence customer choice”. Pininfarina already works with Mahindra on SUV design, and on a concept electric car.
Requiem for the Music Store
First, the news. On a sad day for music lovers, especially those of the classical kind, the iconic music store Rhythm House, at Kalaghoda in Mumbai, shut down its online ordering service citing “obvious reasons”, in a message on its website on Valentine’s day. The physical shop shut down two months ago.
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