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Design+ Industrial design leads to understanding of users

users. For a long time, Italian manufacturers have involved created by the introduction of technologies. In 1993, Starck
designers in their innovation processes; this successful offered his significant image of the 21 century, stating that
st
combination is the reason for the formation of companies it will be the “immaterial century of energy and electronic
that still today have international fame, such as Kartell intelligence. The more the objects that surround us will lose
(1949), Arflex (1950), Danese (1955) and Artemide (1959). volume, the more they will gain in emotional density.” 3, p.62
Despite this enormous success and the excellent level of At the same time, the role of industrial designer became an
quality in Italian production, since the 1970s, many official job title.
professionals have changed their ideas about the classical Since the 21 century, industrial designers have become
st
concept of design.
pivotal figures that dramatically influenced the functionality,
Along with the meaning-giving to the noun design is esthetics, ergonomics, and innovation of our daily-use
the introduction of new words such as anti/post/super/real/ products. This field, which extends from the smallest
social/radical and coining of a new expression, the Modern household items to large-scale manufacturing, is crucial in
Movement, to mark the end of the historical concept of determining the usability and appeal of products. However,
design. In the late 19 century, innovation was represented design remains a green realm characterized by its perpetual
th
by the discoveries’ application to the industry: specifically, evolution, yet the success of a product’s design primarily
the growing relationship between science and technology, hinges on fulfilling user needs. In addition, it is imperative
and between technology and production. However, only to account for potential dependencies with third parties, a
at the beginning of the 20 century, the modern design process often referred to as design for users. Thus, over the
th
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notion was embraced, coinciding with the importance years, industrial designers have impacted individual user
given to designing a piece of furniture, a cup, a calculator, experience as well as broader economic and environmental
or a series of cutlery that became almost as significant trends.
as designing a skyscraper. Products started an era where
weren’t toys anymore, but still playful and stimulating the Given that ID encompasses the development of products
users to express their desire to use them (Figure 8). that are both visually attractive and functional, intending
to be utilized by a broad consumer base; its fundamental
Due to this change, designers started to use considerations include usability, ergonomics, and
microelectronic technology along with a design of simplicity, esthetics. ID also considers the manufacturing feasibility of
beauty, and functionality. Specifically, the massive use of a product; consequently, we can think of ID as responsible
microprocessors in the new IR also impacted the house that, for the creation of the majority of products normally used
in the 80s, was characterized by the absence of functionalism daily. Due to the thoughtful design process, industrial
to then introduce minimalist, ethnic, and eclectic choices. designers may transform ideas into tangible products that
At the same time, sophisticated technologies started to see meet users’ needs and enjoyment. In the ever-evolving
their use in the design of everyday products. In the 90s, the realm of design, where esthetics merge with functionality,
designer was forced to rediscover the cultural-educational users are central to the ID process: generally, there is the
dimension, previously abandoned, to be able to work identification of primary, secondary, and tertiary users.
servicing the industry and to satisfy the new users’ needs Notably, primary users are frequently those who utilize
the product, while secondary users are occasionally the
ones who use a product through an intermediary. Instead,
tertiary users are considered those deciding or having a say
while purchasing a product. 59,60 Every user may affect the
evolution of a product’s design; consequently, designers
are pivotal due to being those who image and create, but
even research and think of a product for the users. In
doing that, designers engage with the global community,
aiming to create products that fulfill the requirements of
users. This involves ensuring that the functionality of the
product is not only tangible but also emotional, as a result
of its design. Consequently, the objective is to enhance
the quality of life for individuals through the creation of
well-designed products. Hence, the design also means
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Figure 8. The Divisumma18 by Olivetti, purchased in 2013. Photograph
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by Marinco Kojdanovski. Copyright © Powerhouse. Reprinted with problem-solving, and, to be successful with this, creating
permission from Powerhouse Museum the most inventive and useful products. Interdisciplinary

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2024) 10 doi: 10.36922/dp.3929