Top Thought Leaders Share Their Best Innovation Ideas (Collection)

Design Matters—A Lot

Don’t Develop Products Without It!

Phil Baker

Although much of the product development process involves engineers developing mechanical, electronic, and software designs, there’s one element that I’ve always considered to be one of the most important parts of creating a successful consumer technology product: industrial design.

Industrial design (ID) encompasses the appearance, aesthetics, and usability of a product. It’s so powerful that it can impact the emotional bond between the product and the user. As products become smaller, more personal, and carried with us so much of the time, they become expressive of who we are. ...