Design of Everyday Things: The Design Challenge

The design process involves testing, modification, and retesting, which necessitates that the item in question be relatively simplistic and the craftsmen flexible. This process is known as hill-climbing. This process is hampered by time constraints and the desire for individuality - everyone wants their product now and the want it to be unique. These goals prevent designs from benefitting from their previous iterations.

There are also other considerations that affect design. Usability affords comfort at the expense of aesthetics and designing for aesthetics negatively impacts comfort and efficiency. When cost considerations dominate, comfort, aesthetics, and durability all suffer. All three considerations must be carefully balanced to create a good design. This is a difficult prospect when you consider that designers are “professionals” that are often judged by their colleagues based on aesthetics, clients are typically focused on cost, and the users’ desire for usability is often not met.