The IKEA experience

So much is said about the 'Apple' experience - from the shop> the ordering process > the packaging > usage. I love it too. I am a fan of Apple as a company, its philosophies, its products.

There is another brand that I am a fan of - thats IKEA.
IKEA is an experience too and at a very personal level touches me a little more than Apple.

• Visiting an IKEA store appeals to all age groups; different income levels; different cultures...
• I love their new self billing counters - a system that is so hugely based on trust that I do not see it working across the world. But its amazingly easy.
• Once the box is at home, making something with it - turning in into a piece of furniture is incredibly easy and satisfying too. The instruction material hardly has any 'text' - its just visuals - transcends language barriers.
• Putting together the pieces does not require some specialized skills either - just anyone can do it.
• Most often there is only one way of doing something so the chances of making mistakes is rather low.

I learnt of the 'democratisation of design' philosophy of IKEA.
Making well designed furniture that is affordable for masses - love that philosophy. Contradicts the common norm that all things 'designed well' deserve to be expensive.

I believe the design process at IKEA starts with the 'price tag' then with the question, 'what is the customer need?' - very fascinating.

Am digging to learn their philosophy and working model more...