iPod Packaging Design By Microsoft? The Joke's on Us
About a month ago, word circulated across the Net of an online video that parodied iPod packaging as if it were redesigned by Microsoft. The video showed each phase of the redesign until the formerly clean and minimalistic box became a six-sided poster board for every gaudy attention-grabbing "design" trick in the book.
To say the least, it gave some designers a good laugh and more reason to mock Microsoft's design sense. It turns out, however, the joke's on us. The iPod Observer confirmed Tuesday that the creators of the video were in fact Microsoft!
According to the article, Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla said, "'It was an internal-only video clip commissioned by our packaging [team] to humorously highlight the challenges we have faced RE: packaging and to educate marketers here about the pitfalls of packaging/branding.'"
Microsoft did not release the clip to the public, but Pilla said the company is "'happy to see others enjoy the laugh as well.'"
I applaud Microsoft for finding creative ways to be honest with themselves and recognizing that there are problems with their current approach to package design (This is a lesson for all designers). But does this mean that we should expect to see package design changes soon to Microsoft products?
Who knows. At least they are thinking about it.
But one thing's for sure: if Microsoft expects to be a serious player with the design crowd, packaging redesign is a no-brainer, a must.
You can still buy software in boxes? What a concept. Quick, what does the box for Windows XP or Office look like? That any large company has a sense of irony is refreshing--perhaps this will be the start of a trend. Or not.
yeah. Having covered MS for a while, I know they are a pretty fun group of people. You'd never know though because PR controls a lot of what goes out of that company.
My commment about package redesign really speaks more to a broader image redesign the company should embark on if it wants to cater to creative professionals.
There are many discussions on ad forums about how big companies are using viral videos instead of traditional ads. Another example is the Simpsons video running on www.youtube.com where anyone can post home videos. The Simpson video features real actors playing the cartoon characters in an excellent parody of the show opening. Not surprising, it was produced by
FOX and isn't homemade at all--but a highly successful ad campaign utilizing viral videos. Timely topic, Steve.