be here now - ipod shuffle

Courtney Mitchell | ITP | Be Here Now | Spring 2012

Reverse-Engineering of the iPod Shuffle


Thursday, February 9, 12


Strategy PlaneProduct Objectives:✦ To be a small, inexpensive music player for people on the go. ✦ “The perfect mix: The colorful, clip-and-go iPod shuffle. With buttons, VoiceOver, and playlists, it’s

got all the greatest hits. Only $49.”

User Needs: ✦ a small, highly portable music player with basic music player functionality: ✦ on/off✦ play/pause✦ volume control✦ a way to change which track is playing✦ a way to monitor and charge the battery✦ a way to upload music to the music player




Scope PlaneScope Plane: What does the product do?✦ In the most basic definition, the iPod Shuffle stores music files (synced

from your computer) and plays them.

✦ The songs can be played back in the specific order they were uploaded (loop) or in a randomized order (shuffle).

✦ The user can change the track, play/pause a song, and adjust the volume with the push of 5 different buttons on the front of the device.

✦ The user can clip the iPod shuffle onto their clothing, bag, etc. with the built-in clip.

✦ The voice-over button allows the user to hear what song is currently playing, hear the names of the different playlists uploaded, and monitor the battery level.




Structure PlaneStructure Plane: What are the major clusters of content/features?✦ The internal structure: hidden beneath the aluminum case, the iPod shuffle stores music files.

✦ The software analyzes the playlists and songs and can speak the song titles, artists, and playlist names with the push of a button

✦ The external structure: 5 main buttons on the front of the device: play/pause, volume up/down, track forward/back. 1 button on the top of the device for voice-over. 1 sliding switch to select between power off/loop/shuffle.




Skeleton PlaneSkeleton Plane: What features are visible? Where are they placed on the page? Where is the navigation (if any)?✦ Visible features include the 5 main buttons on the front of the device: play/pause, volume up/

down, track forward/back. 1 button on the top of the device for voice-over. 1 sliding switch to select between power off/loop/shuffle.

✦ The navigation is done via these buttons, and in some cases in combination with the voice-over.

✦ The other main visible feature is the clip on the back which the user can use to attach the iPod shuffle to his/her clothing/bag/etc.




Surface PlaneSurface Plane: What is the visual language of the product? Color palette, size, shape, feeling?✦ The iPod shuffle is small, made of aluminum, and brightly colored.

The interface has remained unchanged throughout the various iPod shuffle iterations, rendering it familiar and easy-to-use.

✦ It’s aesthetic beauty is in the smooth aluminum material, vivid color choices, and minimalist design. In the case of the iPod shuffle, less is definitely more.



be here now - ipod shuffle

Design