Product Design
Product design is the design of actual, three-dimensional, physical objects or products. From the idea, through the design of every small part of the whole, to the finished product, the product designer is responsible for design, testing and the final product, as well as the entire process to make this happen.
Depending of the field, the product designer must be an expert conceptualiser, designer and virtual user of his product. The term virtual user in preference to user is apt here. The reason is that every product differs and the product designer must possess the ability to envisage how his unique product must look, feel and be ergonomically and aesthetically successful. He must be able to do this in the conceptualisation stage. He will have a firm idea of what he wants a user’s perception, impression and emotions to be when handling and using the product.
A laptop computer is a case in point. And nobody has revolutionised laptop computer design like Apple. Apples are examples of meticulous product design. Not a stone is left unturned to imbue Apple products with a sense of style and occasion. The product designers engineer every little component to show off the trademark smooth curves and slick interfaces. Some elements, such as the magnetic charger plug, are as simple as they are brilliant. Aluminium is used liberally for both its material and aesthetic properties.
Very much like Audi, Apple is a designer brand and its products speak of fine engineering, superb ergonomics, carefully conceived surfaces and a very distinctive ambience. Similarly, the brand’s iPods have become an industry standard and speak of ingenious design.
Excellent product design is even more about perception than functionality. That elusive element that wants to make a person use and admire one product in preference to another is what the product designer is after. It sells millions and millions of Apple laptops, despite many rival brands that can do the same, but come packaged as drab appliances.