It’s a common misconception that product design begins with a “good” idea: a concept like “I want to design a better chair” or “a smarter lamp.” In reality, ideas aren’t the starting point of object design; problems are.
Good design begins with a question: what can be improved in our real lives?
We live surrounded by objects that all exist to solve a problem, be it comfort, efficiency, usability, storage or safety. Starting with a problem allows you to design meaningful objects rather than just random ones. Otherwise, you will probably only be creating a visually interesting object that doesn’t actually work.
One of the most essential parts of the object design process is observation. As a designer, you should always start with observing how people actually use objects. How are they struggling? Where is it uncomfortable? Where can it be simpler? These questions are what make you a better design decision-maker.
Then there’s simplification. Beginners often try and overcomplicate their object ideas by adding too many elements to them. But generally, good design tends towards removing elements until it contains only what is essential. Simpler, more minimalist designs generally perform better in practical terms and are easier to make realistic.
Function comes before form. This doesn’t mean objects shouldn’t be designed to be visually appealing or interesting; it means that an object’s shape should be determined by its function. Think of how a handle should be shaped based on grip, or a container is shaped based on what it is intended to store. When form follows function, design becomes sensible and intuitive.
Materials too are an important part of this equation. A good object design can be made more or less realistic based on the materials used. Weight, flexibility, texture, and durability are all critical factors for designers to keep in mind when determining their object design concept.
Another key factor is iteration. Object designers rarely perfect their concept in their first draft. Object design is usually an iterative process: create a draft, think about how it works, make adjustments to improve it, make another draft. The more drafts you create, the better your concept can become.
At ObjectDesignFlow, we guide you through the entire design process step by step, teaching you to create your own structured design concepts based on problems.
Because in real-world product design, a good idea isn’t enough. You have to be able to solve a real problem.