For some consumer products utility always wins. The design of many products is dictated by their intended purpose or use. And they all very much look like each other.
In the real world of the consumer how many decisions are influenced by the form of the product? IE It’s presentation and visual appeal.
Most, might be the response.
Should Choice offer a separate or additional assessment for products based on the visual attributes of the product?
Obviously not something relevant to all products. A can opener is a can opener right? Although at home we are yet to agree on this simple utility device.
Without pre-emptying others views, as an example consider a toaster, kettle and bench top coffee machine.
In one way of styling a kitchen these are hidden from view. Lest they make the kitchen fail the home beautiful photo shoot standard of an average Australian home.
In an alternate universe, ours perhaps, such essentials of the kitchen sit on the bench. On what basis were they chosen?
The three C’s (colour, coordination, cleaning), Cost and Choice reviews. Could be five C’s?
Noting visual appeal can be very subjective, properties that relate to the quality of finish, lustre, even treatment, durability, balance of the intended styling etc can be assessed.
If ‘The Block’ can do it, could Choice follow boldly and assist the average consumer to avoid the ultimate embarrassment of a style-less home?
Or should the perfect Choice home make it’s own statement through products with five star recommendations, and appeal more eclectic, but not like a discount warehouse store room?
P.S.
Our home runs mostly on heart, function and recycled armageddon. The styling guru would love a large skip as the next addition.