Developing Storm

Thursday, November 20, 2003
Jason Cross has written an interesting opinion piece for Extreme Tech about the dearth of good design in high tech products. He raises some good issues but misses the mark too. As computer equipment become commoditized it makes sense that there should be some standardization of the colors used so pieces from various vendors can be mixed and matched and still look decent together. Where he goes off the wall, in my opinion is his criticism of trends in high-end game machine design.
Don't get me started on the recent trend in high-end gamer PCs having clear plastic windows, metallic car paints, and glowing lights inside. It's the ugliest, most ridiculous, trend I've ever seen. It's like the opposite of style. It's like Syd Mead threw up -- and that throw-up designed a PC. It reminds me of those guys who buy a Japanese car, modify the body until every last clean line is eradicated, paint it metallic pink and yellow, cover it with stickers, light the underside with neon and throw on an absurd spoiler. I'm absolutely convinced that those that do will look back at pictures of these cars in ten years and wonder what the hell they were thinking.
Doesn't this guy remember being young? The dude with the funky car will probably look back and think that was one bitch'n ride. This style of computer is aimed a specific demographic and I think the targeting is right on. The folks who buy these machines are the same ones who buy funky skateboards, surfboards and snowboards. I don't think anyone has ever looked back at their skateboard and thought that instead of that cool skull design I should have gone with some simple mauve instead.

I wonder how he feels about tattoos.
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