RR04

Chapters 7 and 8 discussed identity and systems. Chapter 7 discussed how hard it can be to change a well established identity. An example they used was Britain trying to replace their red phone booths with new all glass ones, but people didn't like it, because the red phone booths had become such a fixture in British culture. I thought it was interesting to learn about how Whirlpool has created washing machines that will wash an 18 foot long sari without it getting tangled for people in India, as well as adding a soak cycle for people in Brazil who believe that clothes are not truely clean unless they have soaked before being washed. By making all theswe things possible, Whirlpool has been able to identify with many different kinds of people. Chapter 8 about systems discussed the importance of a well designed system that can be followed by all people, such as roadway signs with the specific colors and symbols used. It also talked about modular systems in things like kitchens and Dell computers, where you are able to choose the size products that fit your needs.