A 30-slide statement that gives an overview answer to this question. A case study presentation reviews these elements in action.

1. What makes a good
product design and a
good product
designer?
A presentation by Nicole Mckenna

2. Let’s start with the word “product” in relation to “product
design” and defining and contextualising its meaning:
Product Design is about
the creation of new products,
services and experiences
built with the user in mind.
- Maynooth University.

3. So, essentially
we have left the
box behind... but
where do we go?

4. Central to the idea of “good product design” are a set of
guiding principles and methodologies that put the user first.
User Centred Design
(UCD)

5. ORIGINS
UCD or alternatively called
Human Centred Design (HCD)
can trace its origins all the way
back to Plato’s Republic and
Participatory Design (PD).

6. Design theorist Don Norman (1960)
re-defined participatory design into what he
coined user-centered design.
Owing some of his methodology to behavioural
sciences, Norman’s user-centered design
emphasised experience over efficiency and
adopted a more humanistic approach with
the involvement of the user throughout the
development of a product or system.

7. “The evolution of customer experiences
and the role it plays in the development
of product or system design has also has
shaped much of the methodology behind
service design which draws on several
traditions including product, environment,
experience and interaction design”
(Kimbell 2009, p. 250).

8. Principles, Methodologies
Models and Processes
User-centred design is embedded
with many design methodologies,
with models and processes for applied
design thinking, design process and
strategy as well as the tools to engage
at every stage.

9. From the British Design Council
“Double-Diamond, Diverge-Converge Model of Design”

10. or Stanford’s D.School’s Design Thinking Iterative Design Process
of Observation, Ideation, Prototype, and Test

11. or the corporate application of “Design Thinking as Strategy”

12. Do we draw the line there?

13. Or do we refine it
or re-define it?

14. Or re-question the question as per the
thinkings of Don Norman
“Do not solve the problem that’s asked of you. It’s
almost always the wrong problem...
when somebody comes to you with a problem,
they’re really telling you the symptoms and the
first and the most difficult part of design is to
figure out what is really needed to get to the root
of the issue and to solve the correct problem.”

15. User experience (UX)
and a User-Centered
Design Framework
We could see Good Product Design and
Good Product Designers as those who apply

16. User-Centered Design Framework (D.School)

17. ... However.
Surely.

19. A good product
designer has
above all else, an
understanding of the
human condition

20. and an ability to see a
problem, to define it
and to address it

21. WITH A WIDE EYE

22. A BROAD MINDSET

23. AND A DESIGN
PHILOSOPHY

24. They have the
ability to work on
multidisciplinary
projects in collaboration
with multidisciplinary
teams

25. using a myriad of
methodologies, models
and frameworks

26. from recognised sources
with proven application
and refined framewoks.

27. They have a refined
eye, a listening ear
and an ability to
engage

28. with transparency
through clear communication
channels enabling feedback
loops which evaluate /
consider / re-evaluate +
reconsider

29. and finally, good designers
have an understanding
of business and that all
business is systems design
with a user focus centre.

30. CASE STUDY

31. MESSENGER
WBW
1000
n Double-sided designs - urban and
adventure
n Reflective panel on reverse - for
night visibility
n Water-resistant materials
– image printed one side
n Fully-lined with waterproof lining
in funky colours
n Zipped pocket inside
n Clip straps many ways - folded
(in half); diagonal, tall, or as a
backpack
n Size: 57cm x 44cmSEABIRD SWIRL WBW100_SBS
URBAN /ADVENTURE
UNIVERSAL APPLICATION
LARGE FORMAT MESSENGER BAG
WEAR 5 WAYS
MESSENGER
WBW
1000
n Double-sided designs - urban and
adventure
n Reflective panel on reverse - for
night visibility
n Water-resistant materials
– image printed one side
n Fully-lined with waterproof lining
in funky colours
n Zipped pocket inside
n Clip straps many ways - folded
(in half); diagonal, tall, or as a
backpack
n Size: 57cm x 44cmSEABIRD SWIRL WBW100_SBS
URBAN /ADVENTURE
UNIVERSAL APPLICATION
LARGE FORMAT MESSENGER BAG
WEAR 5 WAYS
MESSENGER
WBW
1000
STYLE
n Double-sided designs - urban and
adventure
n Reflective panel on reverse - for
night visibility
n Water-resistant materials
– image printed one side
n Fully-lined with waterproof lining
in funky colours
n Zipped pocket inside
n Clip straps many ways - folded
(in half); diagonal, tall, or as a
backpack
n Size: 57cm x 44cmSEABIRD SWIRL WBW100_SBS
URBAN /ADVENTURE
UNIVERSAL APPLICATION
LARGE FORMAT MESSENGER BAG
WEAR 5 WAYS
ETHICALLY made
with SUSTAINABLE
FABRICS