Sex toy design has a lot to teach big tech
But, of course, it’ll never listen
Two ears and one mouth
I asked Chang how design can evolve beyond creating addictive products. Her answer was simple: listen.
Chang believes many companies approach a product with the “assumption they know what users want.” In other words, they hear what they want to hear — without ever really listening.
But, Chang continued, listening is unimportant if you aren’t asking the right questions. And part of that is making sure you’re putting your product in front of enough people, something she told me Crave does by placing its devices in the hands of thousands as part of a rigorous testing process.
Beyond listening, Chang expanded upon what big tech design can learn from sex toy makers. She said one of the key elements is respecting that people’s experiences vary wildly. Designers need to jettison the idea that just because something works for them, it’ll work for everyone.
This simply isn’t the case. All experiences are “equally right,” she told me.
Ultimately, Chang believes designers get too focused on the user themselves and don’t listen to what they’re actually saying. Someone can have the same ethnicity, culture, and education, yet have completely different views and lifestyles.
And it all comes back to listening.
Unfortunately, if big tech is listening, it’s definitely not taking what users are saying into account. Many of the problems we’re facing today could be counterbalanced with design that placed the best interests of those using the product at its heart. And what better place is there to learn that than from designers in the sex toy industry?
I doubt that’s gonna happen though — there’s more money in keeping us addicted.
Update: Ti Chang is speaking atTNW Conference 2021 on September 30th and October 1st. There she’ll be joined by 150 other amazing experts who will share their latest insights from the world of business and tech.
Story byCallum Booth
Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting(show all)Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC.
Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too.
Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.
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