Find an Idea: Object Ideality
Describing one of the Power Mac computers, Ive said: “We wanted to get rid of everything we could do without. This required absolute understanding between designers, developers, engineers and manufacturers. We endlessly returned to the starting point. Is this part necessary? Can she fulfill the functions of the other four? ”
Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs. Biography".
In TRIZ (Theory of Solving Inventive Problems) developed by the Soviet inventor Heinrich Altshuller there is one of the basic concepts - the concept of an ideal object.
The concept is formulated very simply - an ideal object - when there is no object, and its function is performed.
Ideality of an object is both a way of thinking and a tool for solving a variety of problems. The methodology of activating creativity by consciously striving for an ideal arose as an alternative to an imperfect enumeration of options. The thought activity from this knowledge is aimed at finding an idea in an obvious rather than random way.
Of course, ideality does not need to be taken literally. Ideality is an idea of ideality, a direction, approaching the ideal. On the way to the ideal, you must strive to get rid of unnecessary, unnecessary, ineffective elements. It is important to remember that you need to improve the object so that the system does not lose its meaning, functionality does not decrease, and overall system efficiency increases.
Now I come to the most important thing how it works. It works like this: idealization of the system is achieved by reducing individual parts of the system, by combining the functions of one or more objects in one object. This technique is called coagulation. Altshuller defined the minimized system in this way - when one object performs several functions.
The simplest way to understand dry theory is through examples. What will I do.
A good example for understanding coagulation is an example of visualizing the battery level and signal level in a Nokia 3310 phone. The antenna icon with bricks is on the left, and the battery with bricks is on the right.
It is clear that the bricks can be combined with an antenna and a battery without losing meaning. But this evidence was not obvious to the developers of Nokia. Model 3310 was launched in 2000. Maybe something has changed over time? Let's look at one of the company's latest flagships - E7, released in 2011.
It can’t be, again bricks, though a little combed. Obviously, this circumstance led to a decrease in Nokia's market share. This is the result of such negligence in ignorance of the technique of coagulation. I joked of course.
The developers of the iPhone did not follow Nokia’s example and did it differently, namely, they combined the bricks with the metaphor of the battery and antenna.
What’s the bottom line: the system didn’t lose meaning when combining the functions, the functionality did not decrease, and the efficiency increased - the metaphor of the battery level increased the degree of natural correspondence.
Another example. Motorists are so accustomed to the recursive actions of loosening and tightening the gas tank cap that they don’t think, the cap is not needed at all! Ford is gradually introducing a neck without a separate cover on its Easy Fuel technology on its models .
The function of the cover is to ensure the tightness of the gas tank. There is no lid, but its function is fulfilled. The cover function is now performed by a hatch. The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - there is no need to think where to put the cover and it is impossible to lose - there is no cover!
We are captured by bad technology, bad decisions and we think that it should be so. Developers and engineers defend their imperfect products and shift the inconvenience of use to consumers. And you need this: “ Jobs ' revolutionary decision to get rid of the switch impressed all his colleagues (talking about the iPod). Over time, this became a distinctive feature of Apple devices - they should not be turned off. It was shocking. They fell asleep when they were not used, and woke up when any button was pressed. There was no need for a switch . ”
And again, an example with Apple products, namely, an example with the Magic Mouse. I am almost sure that no computer manufacturer could create such a mouse, for the same reason - a lack of understanding of real simplicity.
Apple word:
The Multi-Touch area occupies the entire top surface of the Magic Mouse, and any part of it can be a button. With one finger you scroll the content in any direction, with two - you scroll through web pages and photos. You can click anywhere. Inside the Magic Mouse there is a chip that transmits your commands. This mouse will never confuse scrolling with scrolling, and if your hand just rests on it, the mouse understands that no action is necessary.
http://www.apple.com/en/magicmouse/
There are no wheels and buttons, but their function is performed. The surface of the mouse is a solid button and a wheel. The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - a new way to control gestures appeared.
One more example.
In the Perm Center for the Development of Design, route signs were developed. The word PCRD:
The main difference from the existing ones is the use of internal lighting in vehicles for evening lighting (the base of the plate is made of milky white plexiglass). In the dark, the number and description of the route will become more visible, while the design remains almost as simple and cheap, an additional light source is not required. Therefore, a black background with slotted white letters was chosen (by the way, it looks more harmonious in the afternoon).
http://pcrd.livejournal.com/60255.html
There is no light box to illuminate the route at night, but the function is performed. Used interior lighting in vehicles. The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, the functionality did not decrease, and the efficiency increased - the plates became more noticeable at night.
Moving on to the next example, it's time to talk about one important circumstance, namely, the identification of a changeable zone (in terms of THREE, an operational zone). Simply put, you need to understand which element of the system must be subjected to ideality.
And now we’ll fantasize, or rather fantasize, the Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment which presented its project of unloading the city from traffic jams - 3D Micro Express.
The bottom line is that the double-decker bus tunnel moves along the rails, on the first floor the highway and the tunnel can drive cars, and on the second, passengers. The authors decided not to break the highway, but the bus. Ideally, if the bus travels along the road, as if there is no bus at all.
The project is crazy, but very interesting and indicative. Indicative in terms of enhancing the search for innovative solutions.
The scope of the ideal object extends to visualization.
A word to Nikolai Toverovsky.
What is the best grid for a table? That's right: the best grid is when there is no grid, and its function is performed. What can function as a grid for free? Nothing! Empty place!
http://ksoftware.livejournal.com/106329.html
It was:
It became:
The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - the table became more readable.
Examples can be given from completely different areas. We will visit the Berlin metro.
A word to Ilya Varlamov.
Tickets (in the Berlin metro) are purchased in vending machines, special tickets in a few offices. A large number of different types of tickets are offered. The main one is a one-time ticket for 2 hours of travel in any transport. A ticket for a short trip costs 1.40 and entitles you to travel at three stations without a change (six on the bus and tram). Tickets for the day, week, month, year and many others are offered, including those combined with tickets to museums.
http://zyalt.livejournal.com/414961.html
Transport tickets combined with tickets to the museum, the system has become more efficient.
The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - saving on costs.
Finally, I will tell you about my experience.
In working on a weather forecast for color-sensitive people , the need arose to reduce the height of the table.
I was worried about the density of data in squares; the forecast page for 6 days turned out to be too long. But, if you combine the time of day, temperature, icon and move out of the color square, then the space saving will be about 20%.
The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, the functionality did not decrease, and the efficiency increased - 20% space saving.
Conclusions .
Ideally, if there is no output, but the function is executed. I hope you understand :-)
Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs. Biography".
In TRIZ (Theory of Solving Inventive Problems) developed by the Soviet inventor Heinrich Altshuller there is one of the basic concepts - the concept of an ideal object.
The concept is formulated very simply - an ideal object - when there is no object, and its function is performed.
Ideality of an object is both a way of thinking and a tool for solving a variety of problems. The methodology of activating creativity by consciously striving for an ideal arose as an alternative to an imperfect enumeration of options. The thought activity from this knowledge is aimed at finding an idea in an obvious rather than random way.
Of course, ideality does not need to be taken literally. Ideality is an idea of ideality, a direction, approaching the ideal. On the way to the ideal, you must strive to get rid of unnecessary, unnecessary, ineffective elements. It is important to remember that you need to improve the object so that the system does not lose its meaning, functionality does not decrease, and overall system efficiency increases.
Now I come to the most important thing how it works. It works like this: idealization of the system is achieved by reducing individual parts of the system, by combining the functions of one or more objects in one object. This technique is called coagulation. Altshuller defined the minimized system in this way - when one object performs several functions.
The simplest way to understand dry theory is through examples. What will I do.
A good example for understanding coagulation is an example of visualizing the battery level and signal level in a Nokia 3310 phone. The antenna icon with bricks is on the left, and the battery with bricks is on the right.
It is clear that the bricks can be combined with an antenna and a battery without losing meaning. But this evidence was not obvious to the developers of Nokia. Model 3310 was launched in 2000. Maybe something has changed over time? Let's look at one of the company's latest flagships - E7, released in 2011.
It can’t be, again bricks, though a little combed. Obviously, this circumstance led to a decrease in Nokia's market share. This is the result of such negligence in ignorance of the technique of coagulation. I joked of course.
The developers of the iPhone did not follow Nokia’s example and did it differently, namely, they combined the bricks with the metaphor of the battery and antenna.
What’s the bottom line: the system didn’t lose meaning when combining the functions, the functionality did not decrease, and the efficiency increased - the metaphor of the battery level increased the degree of natural correspondence.
Another example. Motorists are so accustomed to the recursive actions of loosening and tightening the gas tank cap that they don’t think, the cap is not needed at all! Ford is gradually introducing a neck without a separate cover on its Easy Fuel technology on its models .
The function of the cover is to ensure the tightness of the gas tank. There is no lid, but its function is fulfilled. The cover function is now performed by a hatch. The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - there is no need to think where to put the cover and it is impossible to lose - there is no cover!
We are captured by bad technology, bad decisions and we think that it should be so. Developers and engineers defend their imperfect products and shift the inconvenience of use to consumers. And you need this: “ Jobs ' revolutionary decision to get rid of the switch impressed all his colleagues (talking about the iPod). Over time, this became a distinctive feature of Apple devices - they should not be turned off. It was shocking. They fell asleep when they were not used, and woke up when any button was pressed. There was no need for a switch . ”
And again, an example with Apple products, namely, an example with the Magic Mouse. I am almost sure that no computer manufacturer could create such a mouse, for the same reason - a lack of understanding of real simplicity.
Apple word:
The Multi-Touch area occupies the entire top surface of the Magic Mouse, and any part of it can be a button. With one finger you scroll the content in any direction, with two - you scroll through web pages and photos. You can click anywhere. Inside the Magic Mouse there is a chip that transmits your commands. This mouse will never confuse scrolling with scrolling, and if your hand just rests on it, the mouse understands that no action is necessary.
http://www.apple.com/en/magicmouse/
There are no wheels and buttons, but their function is performed. The surface of the mouse is a solid button and a wheel. The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - a new way to control gestures appeared.
One more example.
In the Perm Center for the Development of Design, route signs were developed. The word PCRD:
The main difference from the existing ones is the use of internal lighting in vehicles for evening lighting (the base of the plate is made of milky white plexiglass). In the dark, the number and description of the route will become more visible, while the design remains almost as simple and cheap, an additional light source is not required. Therefore, a black background with slotted white letters was chosen (by the way, it looks more harmonious in the afternoon).
http://pcrd.livejournal.com/60255.html
There is no light box to illuminate the route at night, but the function is performed. Used interior lighting in vehicles. The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, the functionality did not decrease, and the efficiency increased - the plates became more noticeable at night.
Moving on to the next example, it's time to talk about one important circumstance, namely, the identification of a changeable zone (in terms of THREE, an operational zone). Simply put, you need to understand which element of the system must be subjected to ideality.
And now we’ll fantasize, or rather fantasize, the Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment which presented its project of unloading the city from traffic jams - 3D Micro Express.
The bottom line is that the double-decker bus tunnel moves along the rails, on the first floor the highway and the tunnel can drive cars, and on the second, passengers. The authors decided not to break the highway, but the bus. Ideally, if the bus travels along the road, as if there is no bus at all.
The project is crazy, but very interesting and indicative. Indicative in terms of enhancing the search for innovative solutions.
The scope of the ideal object extends to visualization.
A word to Nikolai Toverovsky.
What is the best grid for a table? That's right: the best grid is when there is no grid, and its function is performed. What can function as a grid for free? Nothing! Empty place!
http://ksoftware.livejournal.com/106329.html
It was:
It became:
The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - the table became more readable.
Examples can be given from completely different areas. We will visit the Berlin metro.
A word to Ilya Varlamov.
Tickets (in the Berlin metro) are purchased in vending machines, special tickets in a few offices. A large number of different types of tickets are offered. The main one is a one-time ticket for 2 hours of travel in any transport. A ticket for a short trip costs 1.40 and entitles you to travel at three stations without a change (six on the bus and tram). Tickets for the day, week, month, year and many others are offered, including those combined with tickets to museums.
http://zyalt.livejournal.com/414961.html
Transport tickets combined with tickets to the museum, the system has become more efficient.
The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, functionality did not decrease, and efficiency increased - saving on costs.
Finally, I will tell you about my experience.
In working on a weather forecast for color-sensitive people , the need arose to reduce the height of the table.
I was worried about the density of data in squares; the forecast page for 6 days turned out to be too long. But, if you combine the time of day, temperature, icon and move out of the color square, then the space saving will be about 20%.
The system did not lose meaning when combining functions, the functionality did not decrease, and the efficiency increased - 20% space saving.
Conclusions .
Ideally, if there is no output, but the function is executed. I hope you understand :-)
