Operations Management: An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition

PRODUCT DESIGN

Most of us might think that the design of a product is not that interesting. After all, it probably involves materials, measurements, dimensions, and blueprints. When we think of design, we usually think of car design or computer design and envision engineers working on diagrams. However, product design is much more than that. Product design brings together marketing analysts, art directors, sales forecasters, engineers, finance experts, and other members of a company to think and plan strategically. It is exciting and creative, and it can spell success or disaster for a company.

Product design is the process of defining all the features and characteristics of just about anything you can think of, from Starbucks’ cafe latte or Jimmy Dean's sausage to GM's Saturn or HP's DeskJet printer. Product design also includes the design of services, such as those provided by Salazar's Beauty Salon, La Petite Academy Day Care Center, or FedEx. Consumers respond to a product's appearance, color, texture, and performance. All of its features, summed up, are the product's design. Someone came up with the idea of what this product will look like, taste like, or feel like so that it will appeal to you. This is the purpose of product design. Product design defines a product's characteristics, ...