Common Threads: An examination of how good design creates value by weaving together aesthetics, function, and social impact.
Class
Article
Department
Management
Faculty Mentor
Susan Tibbitts
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
This thesis identifies key characteristics of product design which increase a product's value due to intentional design decisions, and provides a framework for evaluating how well a product is designed. This framework is determined by examining how purposefully-designed product characteristics improve the success of contemporary products. The examination of these characteristics into product design illustrates the importance of design education and employment. First, valuable aesthetic, functional, and social characteristics of product design are defined in the context of contemporary market trends, business practices, and consumer environments. Next, 15 contemporary products are analyzed using the previously defined characteristics of valuable design in order to illustrate the commonalities and discrepancies of well-designed products. Lastly, a discussion focusing on brand positioning and the value of designers in contemporary business explains the importance of aligning product characteristics with the goals of products and the companies which produce them. In conclusion, this thesis argues that products achieve the highest level of design by increasing value through aesthetic, functional, and social characteristics which are intentionally designed from the product's conception and illustrates the importance of design in all types of product fabrication, manufacturing, and marketing, thus encourage an increasing focus on design education and design employment.
Start Date
4-9-2015 9:00 AM
Common Threads: An examination of how good design creates value by weaving together aesthetics, function, and social impact.
This thesis identifies key characteristics of product design which increase a product's value due to intentional design decisions, and provides a framework for evaluating how well a product is designed. This framework is determined by examining how purposefully-designed product characteristics improve the success of contemporary products. The examination of these characteristics into product design illustrates the importance of design education and employment. First, valuable aesthetic, functional, and social characteristics of product design are defined in the context of contemporary market trends, business practices, and consumer environments. Next, 15 contemporary products are analyzed using the previously defined characteristics of valuable design in order to illustrate the commonalities and discrepancies of well-designed products. Lastly, a discussion focusing on brand positioning and the value of designers in contemporary business explains the importance of aligning product characteristics with the goals of products and the companies which produce them. In conclusion, this thesis argues that products achieve the highest level of design by increasing value through aesthetic, functional, and social characteristics which are intentionally designed from the product's conception and illustrates the importance of design in all types of product fabrication, manufacturing, and marketing, thus encourage an increasing focus on design education and design employment.