design

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?

What happens when you have seven Cubs players and a manager (acting as coach) on an NL all-star team? That’s right, you lose in 15.

The NL might want to consider such things before designating rosters.