Borrowing Design Ideas

Some good interface and ergonomics ideas can be used outside the field they were developed for. Here’s an example illustrating recyclability of a good design idea

Right, this is a baby cup. The lid it has successfully (hopefully) prevents toddlers from spilling drinks and choking. My guess is it was designed especially for babies. But the same cup can come in handy for people who like to sip coffee on their way to work.

Starbucks, McDonald’s or whoever used first that kind of lid borrowed the idea. That is just my assumption, but you get the idea. When trying to find a solution for a problem think who could have possibly solved a similar one for a totally different kind of user.