HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?
HAT IS DESIGN?

Good design is an...

According to wikipedia.org engineering is:
“The application of scientific and mathematical
principles to practical ends such as the design,
manufacture, and operation of efficient and
economical structures, machines, processes and
systems.”

According to the ICSID (International Council of
Societies of Industrial Design):
“Design is a creative activity whose aim is to
establish the multi-faceted qualities of objects,
processes, services and their systems in whole
life-cycles. Therefore, design is the central fac-
tor of innovative humanization of technologies
and the crucial factor of cultural and economic
exchange”

Engineering thinking is generally more linear
and mechanistic and design thinking is generally
more holistic and intuitive.

Design is informed by this context...:
Language, Semiotics and Aesthetics
Innovation and Creativity
Sculpting and Drawing
DESIGN Strategy and Branding
Science, Technology and Engineering
Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology

PRODUCT PSYCOLOGICAL IMAGE MIND
ARTIFACT
STORIES
EMOTIONAL
BODY
AESTHETICS
PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
CONTENT CONTEXT
FUNCTIONAL
inherent or silent knowledge
CULTURE
CULTURAL
CULTURAL
SYMBOLICAL
BRAND
SOCIAL
BRAND
RETAIL SPACE
COMMERCIAL

WHAT CAN BE DESIGNED?

objects
spaces
information
symbols
processes
data representations
services
systems...

DATA REPRESENTATION

SYMBOL

PRODUCT OR SERVICE SYSTEM
COMPONENT?

Design is the
innovative humanization of
technology...
how to “humanize technology”?

by creating intuitive and
ergonomic products and
services...

by creating an
attractive sensorial
experience...

Vision
Audio

Touch and smell

body senses...

by creating
meaningful products that
reflects or symbolizes brand
and user identity

INNOVATIVE: USABILITY, AESTHETICS, MEANING

DOES FORM FOLLOW FUNCTION?

brief:
Create an object that will keep a person seperated
from the ground in a “seated” position.

...The chair designers made an interpretation of
technology, materials, brand identity, fashion
trends, function, ergonomic needs, genre, media,
social rituals, user context, user cultures and user
identity... etc.
So form follows interpretation of a multitude of
parameters... among them function...

Examples of the interpretation of a
generic object,
archetype or genre

Poul Kjærholm - PK 91

Karl Grøndal - BrightShade

Ex: brand values

UNCOMPROMISING, EXTREME AND ITALIAN

‘Design is not just about making something, it is
about designing the feelings of the person who
uses it,” says Tokujin Yoshioka, a japanese designer

WHAT MAKES GOOD
DESIGN?

Dieter Rams: ten principles for good design:
attractive
innovative
accessible
environmentally responsible
useful
honest
refined
unobtrusive
durable
with “as little design as possible.”

Other things that make good
design...

meaningful design
(identity)...

humorous design ...

extreme design ...

Products that are designed for
the context in which it is used:
the physical and social
environment

and... convenient, surprising,
mysterious, dramatic, cool...
design
etc...

And now...

Product design analysis

Human factors
Can you percive how the product should be used, from the design (af-
fordance)?
Does the product have a logical interface? An interface can also be a han-
dle or door knob...
Does the product provide feedback? Ex: a red light shows that it is off, or a
button make a click sound, when you push it...
Is the product ergonomically suitable? Does the product fit the body?
Is the product easy to maintain?
Is it accesible? Can people with a physical handicap, or other challenged
people operate and use the product?

Aesthetics
Is the product a positive sensorial experience - sight, sound, smell, touch,
weight?
Can the target user group identify with the aesthetics - does it express the
right values?
Is any “design resources” as: contrast, balance, symmetri, assymetri etc.,
applied?

Design Innovation
Is the product a “game changer”?
Materials? Ex: Is material use innovative?
Product category?
Technology?
Manufacturing technology?
User interface?
Aesthetics?

Brand design and product semiotics
Does the product express the brand values?
Is the aesthetic experience in sync with the brand promise?
Is the product part of a product family? Does it fit in?
Is the product symbolic?

Physical context
Is the product suitable for the physical environment the products is used
in?
Social context
Does the product part of any social relations or rituals? If yes, is it suitable?
Does the product give the owner prestige or respect among his/her peers?

Manufacturing
• Manufacturing quality?
• Manufacturing technology?
Sustainability
• How does the product contaminate the environment - close or near?
• Does the product pose any other health hazards?

Functions
• List the functions.
Ex: a wrist watch: Time info, date info, time setting, flexible wrist attach-
ment, water sealing, shock resistance, auto luminiscent indicators, auto-
matic clockwork, accesssory etc...

Assignment:
Each group will select 3 objects. Share with other groups.
Discuss and compare the objects - be critical! Talk about all the subjects
on the list.
Try to improve 1 product - make a sketch or model and specify it in text.
Each group will make a 3 - 7 min. informal presentation of their analysis -
and their suggestions for improvements - today.

Suggestions for products:
Cars
Cameras
Kitchen utensils - knives, blenders, toasters etc.
Computer mouse
Bluetooth headsets
Power tools
Furniture
Phones
Toilets
Pens