Chapter 3 What Are Design and Designing? 49 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. it must meet as many of the eight principles of design as possible. Good design should be: • Functional. A well-designed product or service that serves its intended purpose efficiently. • User-centered. The needs and wants of the users of the product are considered at every stage of designing. • Ergonomic. Products must be designed to fit the human body in an effort to reduce discomfort, strain, or injury. • Affordable. Products must be reasonably priced so that they are available to the intended users. • Environmentally sustainable and responsible. The maker of a product will use resources in a way that can be continued indefinitely, without lasting damage to the environment product use will cause little or no damage to the environment. • Well-made and long lasting. The product will function as it was intended and do so for a long time. • Socially responsible. A product should benefit particular groups of people or society at large. • Aesthetically pleasing. Products must bring pleasure to users by appealing to one or more of their five senses. Functional People buy most products to be useful, to help them complete a particular task. Well-designed products must, therefore, fulfi ll their intended purpose. When they do, they are considered functional. A knife must cut cleanly, a ski jacket must keep the wearer warm, and a bus must allow easy access by everyone. Designers refer to this characteristic as functionality. The intended function of a well-designed product should be obvious to the user (think of the trash can icon on your computer screen). Directions and instructions must be clear and reading levels appropriate for all users (Figure 3-10). Designers refer to this characteristic as clarity. To ensure functionality, a designer must know who the intended users are. All well-designed products must function equally well for a wide range of people: young and old, male and female, left-handed and right-handed. The handle of a fruit and vegetable peeler is large, feels comfortable, and is easy to hold (Figure 3-11). At the same time, it keeps the user’s hand well away from the cutting edge. Another key part of functionality is safety. Electrical products must meet the relevant codes to reduce the risk of fi re or electric shock. Toys for children must not include small parts that can cause choking. They must not be made using toxic materials. Pause for Thought Identify two products in your home that satisfy and two products that break at least one of the principles of good design. iofoto/Shutterstock.com Figure 3-10. The trash can icon is universally understood, and the road sign contains clear, easily read images and text. Risto Viita/Shutterstock.com Terry Putman/Shutterstock.com Figure 3-11. This vegetable peeler is designed for comfort. What products do you own that meet the criteria of being well designed?