What Is the History of Product Design?

Product design is a field of study that focuses on the development of new products and services, as well as the redesigning of existing products and services. The history of product design can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, when mass production began to become a reality.

In the 19th century, industrial designers emerged as professionals who could design products with a focus on aesthetics and ergonomics. This period saw the emergence of iconic designs such as the Coca-Cola bottle, which set the standard for product design for decades to come.

The 20th century saw a shift in product design from purely aesthetic considerations to functional ones. Rather than simply looking good, products had to be designed with an eye towards usability and user experience.

This ushered in an era of user-centered design, where designers sought to understand how users interacted with their products and how they could be improved upon. This led to innovations such as Apple’s iPod, which revolutionized the way people listen to music.

The 21st century has seen another shift in product design philosophy, this time towards sustainability. Designers are now looking at ways that they can reduce their product’s environmental impact while still providing users with a great experience. This has led to advances in materials science and engineering that allow for more efficient production processes and more sustainable materials being used in products such as electric cars or solar panels.

Conclusion:

Product design has come a long way since its inception during the Industrial Revolution. With each passing decade, designers have pushed boundaries in order to create better products for users around the world. From purely aesthetic designs during the 19th century, through user-focused designs during the 20th century and finally towards sustainable designs during this current era, product design continues to evolve in exciting new directions.