38 Times Designers Understood The Assignment And Created Something Actually Useful (New Pics)

Good design is important in all aspects of life. Whether you’re redesigning your living room or searching for the most functional kitchen tools around, finding something that was carefully crafted can be a godsend. And when it comes to product design specifically, Mitaoe School of Design says there are several key factors.

First, the product should have visual appeal. A beautiful aesthetic can certainly make an item more desirable, and it’s a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. But at the same time, enhanced performance is extremely important too. If the item is faster, more efficient, longer-lasting, or simply better than its competitors, it’s going to be successful. 

Meanwhile, a well-designed product should lead to increased customer engagement. Ideally, customers should feel like they’re having an experience when they use it, which will make them more likely to recommend it to others. Products should always be designed with the customer in mind.

And, of course, the item should benefit customers by increasing their productivity. If something makes their lives easier, they’re going to be very happy with it. And they’ll be more likely to repurchase from the same brand again in the future.  

Great design certainly isn’t all about aesthetics, but they are one important factor to consider. And according to the Well Building Institute, being surrounded by beautiful places can actually make us healthier. “While beauty may often be subjective, research demonstrates that beauty produces a positive emotional experience in the observer, enhancing feelings of happiness and well-being,” they explain. And you might feel even more engaged, included, and healthy in a beautiful space.

So how can designers and companies work together to create practical, beautiful, and worthwhile products? Well, they have to ensure that all elements complement each other and exist in harmony. And cutting corners isn’t going to do them any favors. 

“True beauty in design is when the two [functional and aesthetic elements] work so seamlessly with each other [that] it feels like poetry walking in the space,” says artist and designer Jay Dee Dearness, PhD. 

In a world where it constantly feels like profits are prioritized over people, it can be rare to encounter a space or a product that is designed thoughtfully. But they do exist! And Play for Thoughts has compiled a list of some of the most revolutionary designs of the 20th Century.      

One of the first products that they want to recognize is the 1938 Volkswagen Beetle Bug. This iconic vehicle was not only stylish, affordable, and reliable, but it also became a symbol of freedom for the masses. It was a car with personality that allowed people who couldn’t afford other vehicles to hit the open road and have access to countless new opportunities.    

Another iconic and absolutely brilliant example of design is the Boeing 747. If you’ve flown in a commercial aircraft, there’s a chance that you’ve experienced the Boeing 747. This plane, which was introduced in 1970, revolutionized air travel. It was the first wide-body commercial plane, and it was capable of carrying more than double the number of passengers as its predecessors. It made air travel accessible to so many people around the globe, and although planes are notorious for being uncomfortable, we can’t deny that the design of this craft was genius.