Recently I purchased a small T.V. and DVD player. The design of TV’s have evolved. The jacks for the DVD are no longer in the back of the TV. This is a good design change. How many of us have struggled with chords and plug ins on the back of the TV while using colorful language to mark the moment.

So I plugged the chords into the front. I sat down to watch the TV and realized that the chords being in the front of the TV are really no better. Now, I get to look at them all the time while watching TV.

Question: Did the designer actually build a prototype and experience his or her design. Because I’m thinking now, these plugs belong on the far back side of the TV. They would still be easily accessible and yet, out of sight.

Design matters.

How does design matter (and forethought about design) in your work?