Interrelations of industrial design, ergonomics, and the user

It is pointed out that industrial design involves much more than designing artifacts that convey the impression of beauty. It should also increase utility, express functionality, make quality and reliability perceptible, and create character and individualism. Many factors contribute to successful industrial design: ergonomics, handling, aesthetics, spirit of the times and changes in values, product environment, functions, technologies, and standards. Using the example of a public videophone booth, the author describes how the user experiences a product and the consequences of that experience. It is shown that good designs must balance potentially contradictory design goals. They can only result from the close cooperation of engineers, human factors specialists, marketing organizations, manufacturing engineers, and many others. If the essentials are attended to, the product will be of the best possible quality and of maximal value to both the user and the producer