Apple Sets the Design Standard

Apple Sets the Design Standard
It's the question every designer has heard too many times to count: "Can you make me the iPod of (insert product name here)?"

And it's not just makers of consumer electronics who ask.

"I've been asked to make the iPod of boiler parts," says Paul Bennett, creative director of Ideo.

"Apple is definitely setting the standard for product design today," says John Edson, president of Lunar Design.

"We're being asked to create wonderful products, you know, like the iPod.

It's still rare, though, that an organization has the force of will to make a product like this happen."

Apple has long been noted for its design prowess, scooping awards and generating buzz with each new product unveiling.

Still, not long ago executives at other companies would glance at Apple's sliver share of the PC market and get back to the business of producing widgets better, faster, and more cheaply.

The Apple lesson seemed to be: A few people will pay a premium for good design, but it's not a smart business strategy.

Now that Apple's share in PCs is increasing - helped along by the unprecedented success of its music player-business leaders across industries are taking note.

After all, you can't argue with 90 million units.