uxmelina

A fun part of being in 4th year, is job hunting. It’s fun to think of all the doors that could be taken, and realize that the hard work is paying off! So, in come the employers, each running their pitch about why we should apply to them, and of course, giving out free stuff! After 6 work terms, I’ve thought I have seen it all in “swag”. Things I have received in the past include: shirts, backpacks, travel mugs, pens, free food and sometimes booze, frisbees, hats, small tool kits, stress balls and the list goes on…..All beautifully branded with the company’s logo.

But today, I received what may be the most useless, over-designed item I have ever seen! Take a look at the picture and try to guess before reading on. Note: The Sharpie doesn’t have anything to do with it, other then to give you an idea of the size.

So what could it be? A marker? pen case? flash light?…NOPE!

Here is a video to show you how it works (Sorry about the bad quality, my camera isn’t great on video). The yellow papers are post-it notes only used the hide the company name, because I happen to think highly of this company, just not this product!

After seeing the device, I can only guess it’s used to clean monitors and key boards. As I sat, surprised and confused by this item, I thought to my over-optimistic-self “Ok, don’t judge it until you fully try it, maybe it rocks”. Well let me tell you it doesn’t.

Here is what’s wrong with it:

1. Affordence of Use: A quick poll of my friends, assures me that a large portion of people couldn’t guess what it is by just looking at it. Even touching it, without twisting, doesn’t give you any clues as to how it works or that you are suppose to twist it.

2. Awkward Manipulation: You can even see me screw it up in the short video. It takes a large amount of coordination to twist the long half, twist in back, switch your hand around and twist the lower half (the opposite way), and twist it back.

3. Actual Function: If it is suppose to be used for cleaning, the brush is too wide for a key board, and the wiper top is too small for large monitors. I felt like I was at a gas station trying to clean my windshield with a toothbrush!

4. Over Designed: This one is the most important. It has a plastic, rubber, and stainless steel body with mechanical interior parts and its utility could be replaced with a klennex, or if you want to get fancy a static free cloth!

Random fact: “Swag” is actually an accronym for “Stuff We All Get” <–I heard that on the radio, therefore it must be true!