I don’t know enough about product design or psychology to criticize the process of design based on fictional profiles, but I’m pretty sure that basing your interface on one of those 2001-era cellphones that’s getting curbstomped by the iPhone is a questionable strategy.
But it sounds like a fun game, so here’s a profile I’d like to see them work on. “Eric” is a red-blooded American male; his earliest memories include his father working on an old sportscar in the garage. Like his father, he is mechanically inclined, and would like a lean, mean car that his dad would be proud of. Something with modern parts and technology, but keeps the microchips to a minimum (and 100% user serviceable). Something that can be fixed with a downloadable PDF and a set of socket wrenches. A car for the guys who aren’t redneck enough for trucks but also aren’t quite prissy enough for the Prius.
Sounds paleolithic to be espousing a car for dudes instead of soccer moms and, er, club girls like Antonella, but we’re still here and there’s a lot of us. And only so many classic Mustangs and Chargers left to go around.
(and yes, I remember Homer, the Car Built for Homer)
