This Product Sucks brings awareness that the things we design could suck unless we are intentional and conscious of the impacts on users. Examples include the distinction between a bad product and one that sucks. Principles are supported by abstracted examples. The problems and root causes can (and should) apply to any product that people interact with. Please don't design any more products that suck.

1. “ This Product Sucks!” A Sampler of Product Design Issues 20-minute version for Midwest UX 10Apr2011 Darren Kall [email_address] @darrenkall #midwestux KALL Consulting Customer and User Experience Design and Strategy © Kall Consulting 2011

2. Where was this?

4. This product is disturbing but does not suck. Photo Credit

5. This product is broken but does not suck. Photo Credit

6. This product is annoying but does not suck. Photo Credit

7. This product is ugly but does not suck. Photo Credit

9. YES. This product sucks . Photo Credit

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12. Problem 1: Triathlon scenario = running, biking, swimming. Photo Credit Watch is ruined if you press buttons underwater.

13. Root Cause: Implementation or technology did not meet up with user scenario. Photo Credit

15. Photo Credit Problem 2: Adaptive transmission not designed for a shared car or variable driving style.

16. Photo Credit Root Cause: Designed for ideal-world case not real-world case.

18. Photo Credit Pull or Push? Can you tell?

19. Photo Credit Problem 3: Even with signs users bang into doors.

20. Photo Credit Root Cause: Handle affordances not distinguishable.

22. Photo Credit

23. Photo Credit Problem 4: Frustrating experience to pay for parking.

24. Photo Credit Root Cause: Bad information architecture, bad visual design, bad task flow …

26. Photo Credit Problem 5: Scalding or freezing shower.

27. Photo Credit Root Cause: Fixing bad UI in help, the manual, or in training.

28. Photo Credit Prevention: Fix the product, not the user.

29. Photo Credit Problem 6:

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33. Photo Credit Problem 7: Believing “Don’t worry, we’ll fix it later.”

34. Photo Credit Root cause: “Later” never happens.

35. Photo Credit Prevention: Prioritize user-impacting “bugs”.

36. Photo Credit Problem 8: Breaking user trust.

39. Problem 9: The self-locking hotel internal bedroom suite door. Photo Credit: Darren Kall

40. Root Cause: Things are not used in a vacuum – missed system design. Photo Credit: Darren Kall

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43. Photo Credit Problem 10: No sidewalk where people want to walk. “ I’m the user damn it!”

44. Photo Credit Root Cause: Prohibition does not work.

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47. Photo Credit Problem 11: Can’t set alarm. Can’t follow directions. Don’t trust product.

48. Photo Credit Root Cause: Product not designed for use. Instruction is a poor substitute for good design.

49. Photo Credit Prevention: Usability test. Products should be easy to use.

50. Photo Credit Problem 12: Unintended Acceleration

51. Photo Credit Root Cause: “We lost sight of our customers” James Lentz

52. Photo Credit Root Cause: “Complaint investigations focused too narrowly on technical without considering HOW consumers USED their vehicles.” James Lentz

55. Don’t design products that suck. Photo Credit