Along with the multiplication of functions in digital consumer electronics, a growing number of customers are unable to use the products they purchase to the full. No matter how convenient functions are, customers can't use them if they don't know anything about them. This application addresses the challenge of providing opportunities for motivating users to use such functions, an approach which is different from conventional user's guides. The fact is such opportunities can differ from individual to individual. By presenting opportunities for customers from various perspectives, users are empowered to discover for themselves new ways of using the functions.

The aim here was to provide the maximum satisfaction solely with a paper-based operation manual, with the minimum increase in number of pages. Specifically, care was taken on the size and placement of illustrations to ensure that older customers who have never used a digital camera before could feel comfortable handling one. Further, user analysis and user testing was done to accurately determine what information customers want to know, with the ultimate aim of producing an operation manual that actually makes customers feel, "I'm glad I read this."Award given to Sony EMCS Corporation.