What is Product Design?

Quite obvious by the name, the process of creating a new product, usually for the purpose of sale, is known as product design. Even if this definition might sound like oversimplification, let’s note that product design is actually a broad concept. This phrase is made to encompass a systematic generation and development of ideas that eventually lead to the creation of new products.

Design experts, known as product designers, work on concepts and ideas, which leads to said ideas being turned into actual products and inventions. A product design expert is someone who works with art, science and technology to create new products.

Even if they sound simple, product design elements are anything but. The increasingly complex process of product design is now supported by our evolving digital tools and techniques. Now these tools can help to reduce the involvement of a large team and also enable the clients to visualize a product in detail before it is created.

The most important product design elements are:

Function

It might come as obvious that the function of any product has to be at the heart of the design. Before approaching any sort of design, it is important to know what the product is going to be used for, and how to optimize its design elements to serve that purpose. Product designers will work with their clients to create a product that will fit their needs.

Style

Even if function is the most important part of a design, style and aesthetic will separate a good product from a bad one. If clients can choose between something that is aesthetically pleasing and functional, or something that is only functional, they will opt for the former. Style is subjective, though, so everyone will have a different idea of what is aesthetically pleasing. For a product designer, it is important to know what their main audience is, or what the client’s expectations are.

Cost

For every design that a product designer creates, they also create a cost-benefit analysis. This is a process that most businesses now use to work out whether they are truly getting value for money. Of course, the thing that should be remembered is that spending less doesn’t always mean that the product is cost-effective. It is important to analyze where the cuts can be made and invest in the things that really shouldn’t be cut back on.

In summary, product design is based on a human centered approach to innovation. This work integrates the needs of people, but also the business requirements and, of course, technological possibilities.