As the use of technology increases, we see a shift in a many aspects of our life including moving towards the combination of the digital and physical world; pushing for convenience; and appreciating less materialistic pleasures.
Based on the five points presented by Ryan Chen, Director of Design & Innovation Strategy at the Bressler Group, we will look at 5 trends in Product Design.
- Uniqueness
The traditional attitude towards luxury is changing. First, it has become less socially acceptable to show off huge disparities of wealth. Second, products now are made in different price ranges making them available to a wide audience, so the concept of “exclusiveness” has a different connotation.
Consumers just want timeless products! This is what will make an item unique. Product Designers have begun making higher-end offers of the same product, fulfilling the demand for a subtly luxurious experience.
- Experience
When we talk about experiences we must talk about services, they extend beyond the ownership of something physical and offer intangible moments that connect with the consumer’s emotion.
As today’s society that moves away from materialism it starts to value the fact that services cannot get lost, and are flexible enough to fit an individual’s circumstances.
Product Designers are concentrating on finding the root of the desire for any product, satisfying said desire will determine the consumer’s experience with it. They are also adding service components to existing products to create more personalized experiences.
- Convenience
In today’s fast-paced society individuals do everything possible to save time. With the increase of affordable services and technology many individuals get away from performing any unpleasant tasks, thus, increasing the demand for convenience!
For this reason Product Designers are adding intelligence to products and interactions, and should find opportunities to automate where possible. All, of course, to simplify the consumer experience making them spend less time and effort in their interactions with the product.
- Wellness
With more general education about health, and a change in perspective in how much we can contribute to our own through lifestyle choices, an increasing part of the population, specially the affluent, tend to seek products that contribute to their wellness.
As self-care becomes more important, all wellness-oriented buys are becoming a marker for exclusivity and luxury. Product Designers or manufacturers are making partnerships with wellness-focused firms that can bring benefits for both.
- Ethical Living
Ethical living is a trend that is changing the way all industries operate. Constant media coverage of these issues have made consumers aware of how buying products contributes to society as a whole. Companies are held to higher standards of behavior than ever before, and consumers want less but with a higher quality.
Consumers are willing to spend more, if it means the product they are purchasing will have a long life, and a lot of utility. For this reason, Product Designers are taking longevity, repairability, and multi-functionality into account for their products.
They are also adopting aesthetics that inspire “honesty” and “simplicity”. In all, consumers are willing to pay more if the products they purchase make sense in these terms.
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