The Design Mix

The Design mix is basically a triangle which contains three aspects of design that all products need to address in the research and development stage. The design mix takes into account economic manufacture, function and aesthetics. The following image shows the Design mix:

Function

Firstly the product has to be able to function and do the job that it is being sold to do. It must also be reliable and work every time the user chooses to use it. For example Kia Motors even offer a 7 year warranty to show that they are confident in the durability of their vehicles. You wouldn't want your car braking down every time you use it would you? In addition the product may contain features and gadgets which gives the product a Unique Selling Point over competitors' products which make the product easier to use or improves the product's functionality in a number of tasks. For example a TV screen may have a control to change the brightness in order for the user to fine tune their product to just how they like it.
The product function can also be associated with "Objective Features" which are things that the product needs in order to function as that particular product. If you took the wheels away from a car, it would no longer function as a car so wheels are definitely required.

Economic Manufacture
It is important that your product is financially viable and is cost effective in production. Unfortunately some products cannot use titanium or gold but have to settle for iron and steel because it is considerably cheaper. Also some ambitious designs cannot be fulfilled as they're too complex. For example machining a curved piece for a product is more difficult, time consuming and expensive to produce. Therefore the company may well opt for a more boring cuboid shape. This has to be the case because if the variable cost per product increases then this cost is passed on to the consumer in the form of a higher price. Therefore it may become too expensive for some consumers who may chose to buy a similar product from one of your competitors.

Aesthetics
In some cases though companies make the design more complex and use different materials because it adds to the aesthetics of the product- how a product looks and feels like to use. Supercars may use leather and alcantara for the interior because it makes the car smell nice and creates a pleasant atmosphere to be in. Therefore a product appeals to the senses, it may well sell better as it certainly wouldn't feel cheap. You don't buy a Lexus because of its fuel economy or speed but because it feels so nice to drive it and sit in the luxurious cabin.

A little exercise for you: Why not construct a Design mix and mark on where your favourite products are in relation to the three aspects described above. Mark them on by using a small dot and then labeling it. There are no right or wrong answers! Use the example below to help!

Sam Wareham