More on the teapot ...
Just bought Donald A. Norman's Book "Emotional Design" (I know, out for some time now, but ...).
Although I didn't get much further than the Prologue, it widens the set of design paradigms to a more realistic scope. One can argue about how valid it is to build on specific emotional reactions when designing products, but there are certain facts we can't ignore.
I won't forget when I unpacked my G5. This is like owning a Porsche - the only difference is, it is far less expensive to upgrade from the discounter's PC to the G5 than from a Kia to a Porsche. Operating and navigating a 2nd gen. iPod nano has similar emotions to it: it justs fits right; nothing fancy about it, just right.
I think this is closely related to what Norman writes on page 10
"The surprise is that we now have evidence that aesthetically pleasing objects enable you to work better."
... Redmond can you hear me?!
