Perfection in design

"The Perfect Thing" is illustrative of various components in the design process, namely conception, evaluation, and trial.

Conception
Anthony Fadell, while working as head of Mobile Computing at Philips Electronics, conceptualized a hard-disk based device poised for the storage of music. Later, at Apple, Fadell further refined his conceptualization into a device in which aesthetic is tantamount to functionality which, in turn, is tantamount to mobility.

Evaluation
After Fadell's conceptualization was finally in tangible form, he presented it along with two others (he of course intended to be "X'ed" out) to Steve Jobs and peers. After much collaboration, finally emerged the final design, the iPod.

Trial
In iPod design, trial consisted of durability and functionality testing. Naturally, the hard-disk, being the device's most fragile constituent, was put under much scrutiny.

In evaluation of other "perfect things," components such as aesthetic, durability, functionality, intuitiveness, and usefulness are paramount. iPod, of course, successfully captured, at it's inception, and maintains these qualities.

In critique of iPod, I'd say that on the whole it is a device excellently composed. The aesthetic is revolutionary; mobility is superb; intuitivity is unmatched, and brand acceptance can't be beat. There are, however, negative points. In iPods of the past, I've noticed that the anodized aluminum coating was very susceptible to scratches and marring. On current generation devices, chrome backing is equally susceptible to unsightly abrasions. These are, nevertheless, flaws easily remedied by proper protective shells/coatings.