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Product

Evolution

Product Evolution
Product Designers are usually asked to develop an existing
design, rather than to design a new product from scratch.
Updating successful or even unsuccessful designs is a
regular occurrence in the working life of a Product
Designer.

iPod Development (2001-2012)

iPhone Development (1987-2012)

Manufacturers know from experience, that they must


continue to develop new designs in order to remain
successful and to continue to sell their products.

Product Evolution
The first generation iPod was introduced
in 2001. However, since then competition
between companies producing similar
devices, technological advances and
customer requirements / demands, have
lead to further developments of the
original design.
iPod Development (2001-2012)

The first recognisable mobile phone was


introduced in 1987. Affectionately known
as the brick, it was large and heavy and
had very few functions. Over two
decades the mobile phone has
developed into what can only be called
a mobile computer, capable of an ever
growing number of functions.

iPhone Development (1987-2012)

Product Evolution
In your revision booklets try and
answer this question.
This mobile phone would have
been one of the models your
teacher had when she was at
school.

List all of the changes that have


happened from this model to the
one you have today.

Product Evolution
Answers
Coloured screen
No aerial (built into the phone)
Touch screen (no buttons)
Larger screen
Different screen shape
Thinner
Lighter
Longer battery life
Able to access the internet
Camera
Video capability
Email/WI FI
Voice recognition
Bluetooth
USB charging (can charge in
more places)
More comfortable to hold
(ergonomics)

So what is a classic design?

Or even an iconic one?

Word bank:
Obsolescence (No longer needed/working/useful to the consumer)
Transcends (going beyond range/limits)
Ubiquitous (universal)

Strong image
Easily recognisable
Strong status across cultures & countries
Defy obsolescence
Transcends original functions
Can be mass produced
Ubiquitous Design
Dominant design/leader in its market

Word bank:
Obsolescence (No longer needed/working/useful to the consumer)
Transcends (going beyond range/limits)
Ubiquitous (universal)

Topic 6: Classic design


Case Study:
iPhone

Strong image
Easily recognisable
Strong status across cultures & countries
Defy obsolescence
Transcends original functions
Can be mass produced
Ubiquitous Design
Dominant design/leader in its market
In your revision books I would like you to review the
iPhone answering each of these bullet points.
Your answers can be bullet points. 15 minutes to answer.

Strong image
Simple
Clean design
Easy to use
Iconic logo
User friendly

Can be mass produced


Yes, millions sold
globally each year

Strong status across cultures


& countries
Used globally
Used by all ages, sexes &
cultures
Strong brand ethics

Defy obsolescence
Has evolved over
time due to
technological
advances
Mirrored other
products such as
iPod touch

Ubiquitous Design
Geometric shape handset
Easy to use screen/operating
system
Can be used by all consumers
Ergonomic design
Anthropometric data used in its
design

Possible answers

Easily recognisable
Apple is a strong
brand/identity
Iconic logo
Iconic
shape/buttons/styling/user
interface

Topic 6: Classic design


Transcends original functions
Originally (text, phone,
games)
Technological advances
Internet
Wifi/Seri/Face time
USB charging

Case Study:
iPhone

Dominant design/leader in its


market
Outsells other competitors
2007 1st generation (3.7
million sold)
2014 (500 million sold)
Approximately 1 in 5 have an
iPhone globally
Leader in phone market
Iconic in film, music and TV

Characteristics of a
classic design

A classic design is not simply defined


by how well it functions or its impact.
Classic designs can be recognized
from their design movement/era.
[Period in time they were invented].

Characteristics of classic design


Classic designs can be recognised from the period of time that they were invented &
released onto the market. This is often described as a design movement.
From looking through the history of design we will be able to see iconic influences in the
products of today.

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements:

Design has always been influenced by the


Discovery of new materials
Iconic products
Manufacturing and technological
developments
Fashions, trends and the latest thinking

These influences lead to the emergence of


new, distinct styles at certain times in history.
These are called design movements.

Was founded by
William Morris

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: Arts & Crafts (1890)

It promoted quality craftsmanship.

It was inspired by natural patterns


and forms.

It used high-quality materials, which


were only affordable by the
wealthy.

The movement believed in working


with and liked to show the natural
qualities of the materials being used.

(Q) Do you think this style is classic?


(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Can you think of a product which
uses Art & Crafts within its design?

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: Art Nouveau (1890-1914)

It was based on natural, organic


lines.

It included designers like Charles


Rennie Mackintosh and Louis
Comfort Tiffany.

(Q) Do you think this style is classic?


(Q) Is it easily recognisable?

(Q) Can you think of a product which


uses Art & Crafts within its design?

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: Modernism (Bauhaus)

The Modernist movement was influenced


by industrial designs and made use of
geometric shapes.
The Bauhaus movement (1919 1933)
was a German school of art and design:
It produced the first design for mass
production.
It was the origin of many design
classics.

(Q) Do you think this style is classic?


(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Can you think of a product which
uses Art & Crafts within its design?

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: Modernism (Art Deco)
Art Deco (1920s - 1930s) began with an
exhibition of products in Paris in 1925:
It typically involved the use of geometric
shapes.
It was influenced by artefacts in
Tutankhamens recently opened tomb.

It included the ceramicist Claris Cliff.


It was regarded as a glamorous
period.
(Q) Do you think this style is classic?
(Q) Do you think this style is classic?
(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Can you think of a product which uses Art
& Crafts within its design?

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: Modernism (De Stijl)
De Stijl (The Style, Mid 1920s) started in
Holland:
It featured extreme geometric design,
e.g. Rectangles and primary colours.

It inspired completely new designs in


furniture and architecture.
It included the painter, Piet Mondrian
and designer Gerrit Rietveld.

(Q) Do you think this style is classic?


(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Can you think of a product which
uses Art & Crafts within its design?

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: Streamlined Age &
post-war (1960)
The Streamlined Age was about speed &
movement. New materials & production
methods allowed designs to be
manufactured cheaply. There were three
main influences:

The rapid growth in transport design


The interest in science
The race to put the first man on the moon

(Q) Do you think this style is classic?


(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Can you think of a product which
uses Art & Crafts within its design?

Characteristics of classic design


Design Movements: 1970 (Present Day)

By the 1980s the designer name or


brand was important to consumers:
The designer label spread from fashion
markets to other areas of product
design.
Promotion and packaging became
key part of the complete product.

(Q) Do you think this style is classic?


(Q) Is it easily recognisable?
(Q) Can you think of a product which
uses Art & Crafts within its design?

Design Icons
Every now and again designers and manufacturers
produce products which are regarded as Design Icons, or
Classic Designs. These set new standards for the products
that follow.

Classic design
Innovative
Often copied

Retro design
Modern products based on styling from the past
Keep nostalgic styling but incorporate the latest
technology

(Q) Why do you think retro design is


popular?
(Q) Can you think of a product
which has been inspired by the past?

Product Evolution

Click onto the link to


begin the online
revision on the core 4
topics.

Then complete the


online quiz.

http://www.engagerevision.co.uk/product_evolution.html

Product Evolution
Why do products change over time?
New materials
New manufacturing methods
New technologies
Social changes
Fashions/trends
Legislation

End of topic Questions.


Lets see how much you have
remembered.

You have the whole lesson to answer


this. You can refer to any notes that you
have made in your revision booklets.

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