I used to think that I made purchases based on very rationale decisions. And for some things, I do. Like food – I know what I want and is good for us, I find it at a decent price and I buy it.
But I own three custom bikes, all with special paint jobs that I directed - not the norm. I use Apple products because I love the way they look and feel, even though they cost almost double the PCs. I buy cars based on their appeal to me, which is always based on design (my fav was a 1980 Scirocco S designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro).
So the other day I had a decision to make, albeit a very small one. It was for espresso. I could have jumped on the $9 can, but recently I bought some Illy espresso and I loved it. Partially for taste – it wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t bad either.
The packaging, however, is something else altogether. The canister is metal, and looks smashing on a shelf. The kicker is in the lid – it’s a twist top that is super easy to use (quarter turn) and fits perfect in my hand. No more popping plastic tops to see espresso fly all over.
Worth $13? Questionable. But not to me. I get pleasure every time I twist the lid.
First impressions and quality product design mean a lot. More so than most people (like me) like to admit.
What are your guilty design pleasures?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
1966 Mustang 1968 Camero RS 1970 Charger RT
1960 chevy SS and best design of all PJ and Katie
Ha, good one, Dad.
I’ve often bought wine for the label alone. And even if the wine tasted like vinegar, I still had some sense of satisfaction because the label was cool.
You guys are stylie for sure.
I’ll be honest - packaging is probably more than 50% of my product purchasing decisions. I recently purchased some expensive Italian shampoo & conditioner despite the fact that the containers are glass. Whomever thought up glass containers for shampoo & conditioner should be shot!
I bought wine once that had real cool packaging…it was in a BOX!
Franzia, no doubt.
Amy - I like your custom bike taste, too.
GO SOX (white ones, natch).
This is the opposite of a guilty indulgence, but I think it’s relevant - I’m a big fan of the Target brand lunchmeat, because it comes in sturdy, reusable, dishwasherable and freezable Reynolds-brand snap-top containers.
I never thought of that one. We shop at the HEB (yes, that’s the name), and they do the same thing (and we re-use the containers,too).
It’s everywhere - design decisions.
omg. too many things to list… i’m a sucker for rad packaging.
you know what is hot? The SRAM packaging for cassettes. THAT is the shit.
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