With 460 stores in 62 markets, IKEA is a cultural phenomenon. This means there are a lot of people that have followed the company’s instructions.
Instructions that evoke emotional reactions. Many articles, discussions and online posts abound, where people passionately share their experiences and emotions relating to these renowned instructions. Despite the mixed feelings, it is undeniable that IKEA have managed to create what we, at StepAlong, refer to as Instructions of Legend.
Key Characteristics of IKEA Instructions
Essential: IKEA’s business model is built by their customers assembling the products themselves, so the instructions are essential components of that process.
Dedication: Informative communicators begin the instruction creation process with the finished product in front of them. They then transform the technicians’ suggestions for assembly into customer-friendly instructions. The manuals are considered complete when a test person successfully assembles the product without any written text in the manual. IKEA themselves say “Our products are designed to be assembled by you“, and considering their broad and diverse consumer group, putting the effort in making clear and comprehensible instructions is crucial.
Perspective: IKEA’s manuals follow the same perspective and viewpoint in their illustrations. This minimizes confusing rotation and perspective changes and allows customers to stay oriented while moving back and forth between steps.
Illustrations: IKEA use simple illustrations to show how to assemble the products. They only use text for safety notifications, thereby reducing the need for translation and ensuring a consistent design language is maintained, two reasons why illustrations can be useful.
Large Spacing: Each step is given enough space to ensure clarity and make the assembly easier to perform. Some parts are enlarged to provide clearer details of the task to be done.
Right & Wrong: Manuals include illustrations that demonstrate do’s and don’ts. A comical, yet effective approach showing how to promote successful results.
Tool Callouts: Which and how many tools to use are clearly shown at the beginning of the manual.
Numbering: The steps are numbered to help builders keep track of the assembling process.
Evolution
Over time, IKEA have adapted their instructions to meet the needs and preferences of their customers. In the past, the instructions were text-heavy, shorter and less detailed.
On the left, you can see the assembly instructions for the ROBIN HOOD armchair from 1968. Instead of step-by-step instructions, IKEA used one single image. The image displayed the process from an exploded view: a view showing components of an object slightly separated by distance. While this point of view reduced the required number of steps, it made the instruction less structured and increased the risk of confusion.
In the late 1970s, IKEA introduced the series TULLANÄS, drawing inspiration from the steel frameworks commonly found in car seats. Their objective was to find a way to conveniently flat-pack the pieces to improve efficiency for themselves and the customers. However, the series ended up being a failure, and the instructions went down in history as the most incomprehensible ever produced by IKEA.
The steps were messy and compressed to fit onto a single page, significantly different from the manuals we see today.
Future
Just like LEGO, IKEA have experimented with technology to stay relevant and develop their products. While the instruction manuals have not undergone significant changes, innovative ideas and features have been, and are being explored, through the release of apps and other technological advancements. By methodically and gradually testing new ideas, IKEA avoids making any hasty decisions and strives to achieve the best results.
IKEA have developed a range of video tutorials for assembly and setup. But they are not posted often and are only created for certain products.
The IKEA Place app gives customers the ability to virtually place and visualize furniture in their homes. While it does not currently provide assembly guidance, it serves as an indicator of potential possibilities that await in the future.
Conclusion
The satisfaction of buying and using products from IKEA can be found in many different places. While affordable prices, high quality and simplicity may initially come to mind, what people like about the company could be explained through the IKEA effect; people tend to value an object more if they make or assemble it themselves. The instructions play a crucial role in creating that experience, as without them, we would give up even before starting the assembly.
Do you have any instructions in mind that you think of as Instructions of Legend? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
