The Making of A Video Game Console Interface - Xbox 360

"Taking two years to design an interface may sound like a long time, but not when it’s for a media product. For the iPods and Tivos of the world, the difference between success and failure often lies in how quickly a person can learn the interface and begin using the device. As a result, such projects have lengthy timelines and budgets that would astonish the average Web designer..."

Nice reminder that notable UI's don't usually come to being within a few weeks or as an afterthought to an established spec.