The Aesthetics of the Sirius Stiletto 2 Satellite Radio

The Sirius Stiletto 2 satellite radio was created by Ziba Design of Portland, Oregon. Steve McCallion, Creative Director at Ziba explains that “one of their goals with this portable device was to make it reminiscent of devices such as transistor radios. The circular dial on the product was designed with that very purpose. In addition, the bump on the top edge was designed for two reasons. From a functional point of view, it created room for the patch antenna that allowed for better reception, and the second thing it did was that it communicated the idea that this product is alive.” In other words, the radio is constantly in communication with a satellite and is therefore not a dead device but one that is constantly connected and alive. These features, according to McCallion, are the kinds of details that offer “emotional reminiscent benefit” to the user. For McCallion, “design delivers value at several levels—functional, emotional, and also at a deeper level by helping you understand your relationship to the things around you.”