The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
iPod Packaging Wins Design Distinction Award

TMO Reports - iPod Packaging Wins Design Distinction Award

by , 11:00 AM EDT, July 6th, 2004

For the sixth straight year, Apple Computer has taken home another I.D. Magazine Annual Design Review award, this time for its iPod packaging.

Calling Apple's iPod packaging "flawless," "inventive," and "utterly consistent with what we've come to expect," the judges awarded Apple with a 'design distinction' accolade. The judges praised the packaging of the original, white iPod for its "egg-carton" design that slowly reveals the product.

"There's this ballet of unwrapping that is clearly intentional," said one judge. "It prolongs your excitement about finally owning the product."

"If the product is all about music, noise, and overload, the packaging is about beautiful, whispering restraint," said another judge.

Somewhat surprising, the iPod mini did not win an award this year in the consumer products design category. In 2003, Apple won a Design review award for its iPod retail store display. In 2002, it won three awards for the Titanium PowerBook G4, the original iPod and the Apple iBook.

The awards appear in the July/August edition of I.D. Magazine and have not been posted on the magazine's Web site at the time this story was filed.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Billy K Posts: 297 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Totally Deserved

I'll never forget opening my iPod box. I was just blown away by the packaging. It actually made the product better.

I was so excited when I bought it I started unwrapping it in the car at stop lights. When I realized how intricate and well-designed it was, I stopped and saved the "experience" until I was seated at home so I could enjoy it.

iPods do weird things to people.

Close Name:Engine Joe Posts: 413 Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Subject:

I kept the box for a long time because it was just so freaking cool. Actually, I just bought an iSight, and they've used the same packaging (just differently shaped styrofome wells and a different outer cardboard sleeve). Still had that way too cool cube-unfold-and-stack concept.

Close Name:Billy K Posts: 297 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Keeping the Box

Yeah, I've still got my iPod box - and my iTrip box. I love how Griffin did great complementary packaging as well. They, more than any iPod accessory-maker, understand the "elegance" of the iPod.

Sometimes - and yes, I know this is stupid - I "re-unpack" my iPod.

"Cult of Mac," indeed.

Close Name:Bigfat Posts: 36 Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Subject: Agreed!

The packaging simply added to the experience of receiving my iPod as a gift.

Close Name:won Posts: 20 Joined: 01 Sep 2003
Subject: iPackaging

Somewhere, deep in the bowels of the consumer machine, a marketing executive is weeping tears of joy.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

After opening my iPod, I was not even able to start setting it up right away. I could only weakly sit on my cold dorm floor after the orgasmic experience of unfolding the intricate packaging. When I regained my strength, I could not even bring myself to unwrap the protective plastic from the device, but promptly reclosed the box and went in search of familiars to share the opening experience with while it was still fresh.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: While not quite as orgasmic as the previous post...

I too was completely blown away by the packaging of both the iPod and iSight. I made a point to show friends and family the box, and still have them saved today. It indeed not only brought forth awe at the time of purchase, but also added to the elegance of the iPod itself. Congratulations to the person/people who came up with such a great packaging style!

Close Name:Engine Joe Posts: 413 Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Subject: Re: While not quite as orgasmic as the previous post...

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
I too was completely blown away by the packaging of both the iPod and iSight. I made a point to show friends and family the box, and still have them saved today. It indeed not only brought forth awe at the time of purchase, but also added to the elegance of the iPod itself. Congratulations to the person/people who came up with such a great packaging style!


It was almost disappointing when I go my father a G4 iMac that the packaging was almost normal... after my wonderous iPod and iSight experiences!

It's the intangible value-added that Apple offers that makes them worth it - and this packaging is further proof!

Close Name:Guest
Subject: I Never Knew Packaging Could Be So Cool

I'm used to brown corrugated cardboard boxes. Opening the iPod box is like switching to the Mac. All of a sudden you see the light!

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Packaging

I spoofed over my packaging!

Close Name:AFCdtLoeb Posts: 2533 Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Subject:

My PB was the same way. I actually played Ride Of The Valkryies in the background beacuse it fit so well. I've never had packaging build up suspense like that.

Close Name:spxyu02 Posts: 1214 Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Subject: Re: Keeping the Box

Quote
Billy K wrote:
Yeah, I've still got my iPod box - and my iTrip box.


Me too! And opening my 17" pb was really cool because that packaging runs parallel to the iPod packaging also, except that everything is freaking huge! I just love that "apple / made in california" or whatever. It just speaks to the quality right there, and is straight up with you, like, "this is our product, this is our company, welcome"

*does the 'i <3 apple' dance*

Close Name:Guest
Subject: i-pod

im 10 years old ,

and i asked for a i-pod for christmas and
i have a box the same size and weight
and on the card it say's ( now listen !!! )

COULD SOME ONE TELL ME WHAT IT IS !!!!!!!

2004- 2005

Close Name:Spider Posts: 2997 Joined: 12 Aug 2001
Subject:

A Dell DJ!!



I hope you got the iPod you asked for, little iPod person.

Just don't shake that box too much.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: ipods are soo cool

ipods r soooo top. if u haven't got an ipod then u don't exist!!!!

Close Name:Guest
Subject: hey

Hi, Do you have any Ipod boxes that you are willing to sell?Im trying to do a prank on my sisters birthday.You can email me at diskoinferno101@aol.com Thank you!

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

i think ipod is gay

Close Name:Spider Posts: 2997 Joined: 12 Aug 2001
Subject:

wow, what a piece of spam.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: to the guy who says ipods are gay

wat!?!........ dont be jelious now

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated November 7th

Fri, 7:45 PM
Rumor - Taiwan Leak Shows Verizon UTMS/CDMA iPhone for Q3 2010
6:40 PM
News - iPhone Moves Into RadioShack
6:30 PM
News - Apple to Open Stunning Paris Apple Store in Le Louvre on Saturday
5:43 PM
Free on iTunes - Dictionary, Dictionary, Dictionary, And More
4:09 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/6) Failure IS an Option
3:32 PM
Games - The Latest App Store Games: Gravity Sling, RocketBird, Ground Effect, Checkers!
2:25 PM
Games - Star Soccer 2010 for Mac Puts Gamers in Role of Up-and-Coming Player
2:15 PM
How-To - The Mysteries of Rosetta Housekeeping
1:33 PM
News - iPhone Game Developer Sued for Collecting User’s Cell Numbers
1:17 PM
Games - Warhammer Online Expands Trial Play Option
11:19 AM
Rumor - Apple May Be Bringing RFID to the iPhone
10:39 AM
News - Nokia Could Face Counter Suit from Apple

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
  • RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
  • OWC: Mercury On-The-Go FW800+USB2 up to 1.0TB. Bus Powered, no external power supply needed. Macworld ‘Editor’s Choice’, CNET ‘Very Good’ Starting from $99.97, 500GB $159.99. Click here
  • Poker Mac If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!
  • For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.

  • Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!