Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Home ›› Agile and Iterative Process ›› If You Build it (Right) They Will Come

If You Build it (Right) They Will Come

by Josh Tyson
3 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

Results of the Consumer Product category of the Design for Experience awards prove that successful design is all about balance.

Consumer products sure aren’t what they used to be. Stereo systems with more knobs than a submarine dashboard and a two-pound manual, blenders with 30 different speed buttons, impossible-to-program VCRs—these are relics from an age when it was less about the consumer more about the product.

These days, for a product to stand a chance in an overcrowded marketplace, it needs to serve a distinct need and serve that need in a way that rewards consumers.

As winner of the Design for Experience award for Consumer Product, Lumosity showed how they create products that do more than reward users—their offerings enhance their users lives in a ways that are enjoyable and engaging. A suite of brain games that can be played on virtually any device, Lumosity lets users improve their cognitive abilities by following a regimen that’s tailored for each individual.

At the root of their success: neuroscience research. Their team has taken scientific tasks out of the lab and turned them into games that users play for 15 minutes a day, a few days a week, sharpening their melons. Although prototyping began in 2005 Lumosity didn’t launch as a consumer service until 2007.

“The initial two years of prototyping were essential because not only were we creating the foundation for a new science-based product, but we were also defining a new industry,” says Melissa Malski, a Public Relations Specialist at Lumosity.

“Those two years of R&D led to promising results, a better understanding of the appeal of cognitive training and our demographics, and the discovery of Lumosity’s potential to be used as a research tool to conduct experiments online, more efficiently, and on a larger scale.”

Lumosity’s approach serves as a great reminder that successful products are not overnight wins but the culmination of years of work, research, and ideation. In a culture where so many companies are focused squarely on getting an MVP out the door so that they can chart how it fares with real users, this might seem like an outsider approach, but it has served their product well.

@Lumosity’s approach serves as a great reminder that successful products are not overnight wins

“The first version of Lumosity that was developed in the two-year prototyping phase looks very different from what Lumosity is today, and we’ve iterated on it over the past decade,” Malski says “Lumosity has roots in science, and takes a data-driven, scientific approach to product design and development, and we continually test and iterate on new games and new experiences. However, Lumosity is different from many other tech products because it is based in neuroscience, and the process of taking findings from neuroscience labs and turning them into engaging games takes time to develop and test.”

As the technologies surrounding neuroscience and digital products continue to boom, Lumosity is refining their product to keep up. They recently added a “Labs” tab to their dashboard that serves as a sandbox for users and developers to try out and test new, early stage features, games, and experiences.

“As part of the ‘Labs’ section, we recently launched an integration with FitBit that allows users to track their physical activity alongside their Lumosity training and learn how they relate,” Malski says. “The wearable technology space has grown and evolved dramatically over the last several years, and we’ve long been interested in understanding how to use the data gleaned from these advances in science and technology to drive more meaningful insights. We’re excited about this latest feature and will build on these findings for new product growth and development.”

In the age of the truly consumer product, keeping pace with users is just as important as keeping pace with the evolving technology that allows products to become more sophisticated—creating the kind of balance that has allowed Lumosity to succeed.

 

The 2014 DfE awards are now accepting applications. If you’ve been a part of creating an experience that makes a difference, apply today. The final deadline for applications is February 28, but if you apply on or before February 14th, you can still take advantage of an early application discount.

If you know of any products or services that deserve DfE recognition, make a recommendation now using the form in the right-hand sidebar (or at the bottom of the page if you’re on a mobile device). For a limited time, anyone who makes a valid recommendation will get a free book download form our sponsor, Rosenfeld Media.

post authorJosh Tyson

Josh Tyson
Josh Tyson is the co-author of the first bestselling book about conversational AI, Age of Invisible Machines. He is also the Director of Creative Content at OneReach.ai and co-host of both the Invisible Machines and N9K podcasts. His writing has appeared in numerous publications over the years, including Chicago Reader, Fast Company, FLAUNT, The New York Times, Observer, SLAP, Stop Smiling, Thrasher, and Westword. 

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

Imagine a world where coding is no longer reserved for the tech elite. In his latest article, Chris Heilmann explores how AI is revolutionizing software development, enabling a new generation of creators to build applications without needing deep technical knowledge. Discover how AI tools are breaking barriers, empowering millions to shape the digital world, and what this means for the future of coding and innovation.

Article by Christian Heilmann
A Billion New Developers Thanks to AI?
  • The article explores how AI is poised to empower a billion new developers by simplifying the coding process for non-technical users, allowing more people to build applications with ease.
  • It analyzes how AI-assisted development can bridge the global developer gap by enabling faster code generation, reducing the complexity of software development, and expanding access to tech careers.
Share:A Billion New Developers Thanks to AI?
15 min read

The role of the Head of Design is transforming. Dive into how modern design leaders amplify impact, foster innovation, and shape strategic culture, redefining what it means to lead design today.

Article by Darren Smith
Head of Design is Dead, Long Live the Head of Design!
  • The article examines the evolving role of the Head of Design, highlighting shifts in expectations, responsibilities, and leadership impact within design teams.
  • It discusses how design leaders amplify team performance, foster innovation, and align design initiatives with broader business goals, especially under changing demands in leadership roles.
  • The piece emphasizes the critical value of design leadership as a multiplier for organizational success, offering insights into the unique contributions that design leaders bring to strategy, culture, and team cohesion.
Share:Head of Design is Dead, Long Live the Head of Design!
9 min read

Discover how digital twins are transforming industries by enabling innovation and reducing waste. This article delves into the power of digital twins to create virtual replicas, allowing companies to improve products, processes, and sustainability efforts before physical resources are used. Read on to see how this cutting-edge technology helps streamline operations and drive smarter, eco-friendly decisions

Article by Alla Slesarenko
How Digital Twins Drive Innovation and Minimize Waste
  • The article explores how digital twins—virtual models of physical objects—enable organizations to drive innovation by allowing testing and improvements before physical implementation.
  • It discusses how digital twins can minimize waste and increase efficiency by identifying potential issues early, ultimately optimizing resource use.
  • The piece emphasizes the role of digital twins in various sectors, showcasing their capacity to improve processes, product development, and sustainability initiatives.
Share:How Digital Twins Drive Innovation and Minimize Waste
5 min read

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and