Product Form

Objectives
• Determine the importance of product form

• Identify factors that influence product form

• Design the product form based on the identified factors

“Form follows a
function”
-Architect Louis Sullivan

- The shape of a product is

dictated by its function.
 Product Form
“a product's form represents a number of elements chosen

and blended into a whole by the design team to achieve a

particular sensory effect.

• Shape • Reflectivity
• Scale • Proportion
• Materials • Ornamentation
• Color • Texture
 6

Importance of product form

Catching consumers’ attention

Creating emotional impacts on users

Communicating information to the

consumers
 7

Importance of product form

Catching consumers’ attention
 8

Importance of product form

Creating emotional impact.
 9

Importance of product form

Communicating information to the
consumers
 10

Product Design as a Process of

communication
 11

Three Information that a product

form conveys
❑ Communication of aesthetic information

❑ Communication of functional and

ergonomic information

❑ Communication of symbolic information

 12

Communication of aesthetic
information
Giving value on the ‘‘look’’ of a product purely
based on visual pleasure
▪ attractive
▪ elegant
▪ beautiful
 13

Communication of aesthetic
information
 14

Communication of functional and

ergonomic information
Entails cognitive aspects of use, such as how
logical a product is to operate, as well as
emotional aspects in that it is not frustrating in
operation and gives an enjoyable usage
experience.

Form instructs users.

Plates – pushing
Knobs - turning
 15

Communication of functional and

ergonomic information
Form and human use
 17

Communication of functional and

ergonomic information
 18

Communication of functional and

ergonomic information
 Form and human use
Ergonomic Needs
 20

Communication of symbolic
information

A set of identity related meanings ascribed to

an object within a given cultural context.
 21

Communication of symbolic
information
 22

How to avoid Misleading

product form
 Form and Human Use
Circles, positive and negative forms
imply motion
 Form and Human Use
Color association and differentiate as
much as possible
 Form and Human Use
Avoid mixed messages and arbitrary
details
 Form and Human Use
Black recedes (to the background), it
conceals
 Form and Human Use
Communicate Key Attributes
Name
Color
Or feature
Form and Human Use
Think about misuse
✖Perception and the Principle of
Pragnanz Simple Products
Figure and Ground

Unstable Unstable
 33

Simple Products
Goal: Make products as simple as
possible for both user and manufacturer

SIMPLICITY!