Just made $5.00 off of this blog post.

A buddy of mine grew so frustrated trying to open one of these that he threw them down on the table. “I’ll give five bucks to whoever can get this open!” he said.

* click *

Easiest five bucks I ever earned.

;-)

I think that most things that aren’t labeled aren’t obvious the first time you encounter them. Door knobs. Pretty simple. Turn handle, open door. One handed, no-look, it just works. However, the first time you encountered a closed door, you may not have known to walk up, grab hold of the protruding object with your hand, grip it, twist, and push. After you saw it once though, it was simple enough you never had to think about it again. (obviously I’m extracting the fact that most people learn this as an infant, and I’m imagining an environment where an adult encounters a door knob for the first time).

I would say simplicity isn’t defined by how obvious it is to the uninitiated, but how easily it is learned, how quickly it is captured to permanent memory, and how it actually functions.

Now, again, I think the “idea” of this container is simple, but until I actually try and use it, I can’t say. It may actually be a pain to use one-handed or off of a desk, which would make it over-complicated (un-simple) even though the steps are short.

What if Microsoft Word decided on a new way to copy text? No more Command C (Ctrl C for you PCs). Instead copy would be F1. F1 is simpler, only requires pressing one button, no keyboard dexterity required, and much easier to say to somebody. But now the process of remembering that Microsoft Word uses F1 and every other program uses Command C, becomes more involved. If other programs begin to take these same liberties then complexity abounds. ‘Speed keys’ become ‘good luck remembering keys’.

I like the mint tin and will probably check it out next time I am at Powell’s but it is not simple. The “container opening” industry is not broken. Let’s not try to fix it by requiring more knowledge from the user.

Good video Adam, very thought provoking!

I’d say opening this mint container IS simple, because once you know how to do it (and it can be documented in just two simple pictures), you can open it:

* one handed
* without looking
* with ease

Even better, it’s fun!

If you use that tin a lot then your investment in reading the instructions is paid off soon, and the intrinsic “goodness” of the mechanism dominates the equation. And if that sort of lid gets used on other containers then the payoff is even better.

I think that well designed products/processes should feel this way for users. Maybe you do have to read the directions (or get schooled a bit on the native practices), but once oriented, it should be really easy to remember how to perform the task or use the product.

Nice find Adam.
tl

I wonder what would happen if you banged it with a rock like a caveman? That’s primitive, but maybe not simple.