Creating Plastic Product Design
Good design is essential to any manufactured product, and good design is no different for plastics. Most of the plastics we use today have been around for more than two generations. Compare that to the thousands of years we have had with metals. And in plastics it is more varied, more complex. For most designs in metals, there is no need to worry about the effects of time, temperature or environment. Unlike plastics. Plastics shrink over time, their properties change over the temperature ranges of everyday life, they can be affected by common household and industrial materials.
We can extend our thinking to define design as how to organize technology so that we don’t have to experience it. In other words, good design provides function, form, and technology in objects that meet the needs of users without demanding them. Well-designed objects provide pleasure or at least satisfaction in use, and do what they are supposed to do without undue anxiety.
Plastics are very complex and varied, always consider carefully whether the suggestions need to be tailored to your particular application.
Good design combines concept with execution. If the two are not considered together, the result will be a product that cannot be manufactured economically or that cannot be used. This is especially important for plastics. It is essential to choose the right material for the job. Then, it is equally important to adapt the design details to suit the characteristics of the material and the limitations of the production process.
Plastics come in a bewildering variety. There are hundreds or more different generic types. In addition, sophisticated techniques with catalysts and compounding are creating new alloys, blends, and molecular forms. All of these materials can have their own unique properties.
The number of different types of plastic materials available to the designer is now approaching 50,000. The importance - and difficulty - of making the right choice is clear. Plastics can be grouped into categories that behave very similarly. Thermoplastics undergo physical changes when processed; the process is reproducible. Thermosets undergo chemical changes; the process is irreversible. The main differences between thermoplastics relate to the arrangement of the molecules. Those with randomly tangled molecules are called amorphous. Those with a degree of molecular order and organization are called semi-crystalline. The differences are significant. For example, most amorphous materials can be completely transparent. And the more crystalline a material is, the less likely it is to have wide 'rubbery' processing regions, making it less suitable for stretch processes such as blow molding and thermoforming. The designer must design for the process as well as the purpose and material. In a single-surface process, for example, there is only indirect control over the shape of the second surface. The design must take these limitations into account.
Product design market research concepts prototype development
Design elements are the basic units of every visual design that form its structure and convey visual messages. The elements of design are lines, shapes, forms, space, textures, patterns and colors. These elements are the building blocks of all designs.
The product design process covers several key stages, from market research to final production, with a focus on meeting user needs and creating a high-quality product. These stages include user research, conceptualization, prototyping, production, and marketing.
Designers must understand the needs, wants, and interactions of users with similar products to create the right solution.
The design must meet the product's function, aesthetics, and brand value.
Prototyping allows for testing and modeling to ensure the design's viability before mass production.
The production process involves transferring the design into a physical product, taking into account efficiency, quality, and cost.
Product marketing involves promoting, distributing, and managing the product in the market.
Product design should be user-centered, ensuring that the product meets their needs and wants.
The design should have a clear function and an appealing aesthetic to attract consumers.
The design should ensure the product is of high quality and reliable.
Product design may also consider sustainability aspects, such as the use of environmentally friendly materials or a durable design.
Utility: The product must be easy to use and safe.
Appearance: The product must have an attractive and unique appearance.
Easy to Maintain: The product must be easy to maintain and repair.
Low Cost: The product must be manufactured at a low cost to be competitive in the market.
Communication: The product must be able to communicate the brand message and company values.
Examples:
Interface Design, Focuses on the visual appearance and user experience, such as the design of a mobile application or website.
System Design, Focuses on the process and how the product operates as a whole, such as the temperature control system on a refrigerator.
Process Design, Includes the design of the product's manufacturing and distribution processes, such as the design of a factory or logistics system.