<p>These trends can be viewed as completely subjective and the result of “artistic styling” or “personal taste” without the right framework and context of understanding. <br></p>
<p>An aesthetic design trend is composed of elements such as form, shape, proportion, color, materials, finish, texture and typography that create a distinct visual personality. A vast array of design styles and trends exists in the market simultaneously, for example you can buy Arts & Crafts, Mid Century Modern or Early American style furniture today; Aesthetic design trends, however, inform future trajectories that are most likely to influence how we design and experience products for the coming decades.
 </p>
<p>When applied appropriately aesthetic design enhances the sophistication, functionality and overall value of a product. Try tuning into the following core aesthetic design trends to inspire your next creation. Visit the gallery below for visual examples. </p>
<h3>Organic Minimalism
 </h3>
<p>The original Minimalist style in product design was inspired by architecture. It was a movement away from extraneous decoration that stripped a product down to its necessary elements and no more. Braun products from the 1970s and ‘80s reflected this philosophy with clean pure formulas of shape, composition and solid, monochromatic color. Organic Minimalism expands on the “less is more” philosophy by including restrained organic forms and seamlessly integrated interface elements.
 </p>
<p>Restrained organic forms are surfaces that—while remaining uncluttered by extraneous detail—use curvature and subtle surface undulation to create a simple visual statement. 
 </p>
<p>This trend is also reflected in user interface hardware execution. Touch-sensitive controls, haptic feedback, dead-front illumination and, of course, touchscreens all facilitate the creation of seamless surfaces that hide the visual complexity of the interface while allowing an intentionally curated approach to user interactions. This is especially valuable in feature-rich products.
 </p>
<p>In Organic Minimalism, logos and graphic branding elements recede to allow the overall silhouette and details to drive the visual statement of the product.
 </p>
<h3>Real Materialism
 </h3>
<p>This macro design trend is all about honesty in the application of materials in the construction of a product. Using real metal, wood, or carbon fiber instead of decorated plastic substitutes translates into a higher perceived value for your product and brand. The same goes for ceramics, textiles and other non-plastic materials.
</p>

<p>This trend can be applied to plastics as well. When the materials’ inherent aesthetic properties are leveraged honestly and appropriately, a design in plastics can be just as beautiful and aesthetically rich as one crafted from a block of aluminum. The fluid nature of plastics allows for the creation of forms and surfaces with a high degree of control, accuracy and consistency. Examples of “honest” plastic would be high-gloss finishes, matte finishes, precision textures, elastic forms, amorphic surfaces and solid color employing the exciting variable of translucency.</p>
<h3>Organic Textures & Patterns
 </h3>
<p>This aesthetic trend is characterized by custom-designed surface textures and patterns that are organic in nature. Organic textures have visual flow and a softness about them that break from the strict linear grid patterns of modernism. These custom-designed surface details trace their roots back to the meticulous detailing of centuries’-old pottery and woodworking where handmade surface textures were applied as a means of personalizing and humanizing a man-made object. The examples that are proliferating today in product design draw inspiration from nature and have a tie into the functional story of the product such as a representation of moving air, flowing water or acoustic waves.
 </p>
<p>Organic textures and patterns add a warm and dynamic visual element that speaks to quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail. They also bring a touch of personalization and uniqueness to the product. Use of organic textures should be done in a way that reinforces a product’s character.
 </p>
<h3>Functional Exposure
 </h3>
<p>Perhaps inspired by the controversial <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Georges_Pompidou" target="_blank">Centre Georges Pompidou</a> by architects Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano and Gianfranco Franchini, this trend is all about glorifying the inner workings of a product. Translucent plastic housing components such as those on Dyson’s vacuum collection canister were inspired by the original iMac housing. Functional Exposure is all about revealing the traditionally hidden technology at the center of a product’s innovation. This works on multiple levels, not the least of which is selling the technology’s value in a visually captivating manner.
 </p>
<p>In addition to the overall aesthetic design trends mentioned above, there are several emerging form and shape trends to watch that will begin to manifest themselves in mainstream products.
 </p>
<h3>Fractal
 </h3>
<p>Much as the sleek forms of early aircraft influenced the streamlined design style of 1930-1950, the unconventional shapes of the Stealth fighter jet inspired a new aesthetic design trend. This trend is characterized by flat, angular planes arranged in triangular or polygonal surfaces that are angled with respect to one another and meet at sharp edges. When paired with dark finishes it is decidedly masculine, aggressive, precise and high tech. The effect can also be toned down to create a more “friendly” product with the Fractal geometry being constrained to a singular surface allowing touchpoints that are more comfortable and approachable for the user. 
 </p>
<h3>PUSH
 </h3>
<p>PUSH is a form language that employs tensioned surface treatments that have the appearance of a fabric stretched over a solid object. It can trace its roots back to the challenge of shrink wrapping a product’s interior components to achieve the minimal enclosure size. Depending on the scale and degree of severity, PUSH can be friendly or aggressive, soft or tough, minimizing or maximizing. 
 </p>
<h3>Start exploring
 </h3>
<p>Aesthetics can be highly personal and subjective, making it easy to default to known formulas as a safe way to express a product’s form and function. That’s a shame as there so many options available that can truly differentiate your product. 
 </p>
<p>While there is no replacement for seeking out a professional designer’s opinion regarding the application of aesthetic design trends, I feel compelled to leave you with a few suggested online resources to provide you with inspiration. <a href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> is a great resource as are <a href="https://lemanoosh.com/" target="_blank">leManoosh</a> and <a href="http://coolhunting.com" target="_blank">Cool Hunting</a>. Look around, soak it in and enjoy your exploration.
</p>
<p><em>Written by Bill Dorr. This article originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of <a href="http://www.appliancedesign.com/articles/95306-understanding-and-using-emerging-aesthetic-design-trends" target="_blank">Appliance Design</a>. </em><br></p>

Design

Industrial Design

<p>While there are many different types of trends you can and should reference throughout the new product design and development process including macro, consumer and industry, aesthetic design trends may be some of the harder nuts to crack.<br></p>
<p>These trends can be viewed as completely subjective and the result of “artistic styling” or “personal taste” without the right framework and context of understanding.<br></p>

<p>Delve's experts in insights, strategy, design, and engineering can guide you through an end-to-end innovation process that delivers results.</p>

Our Services Page: Product Design and Development (text only)

<h3>What's an aesthetic trend?</h3>
<p>An aesthetic design trend is composed of elements such as form, shape, proportion, color, materials, finish, texture and typography that create a distinct visual personality.</p>
<p>A vast array of design styles and trends exists in the market simultaneously, for example you can buy Arts & Crafts, Mid Century Modern or Early American style furniture today; Aesthetic design trends, however, inform future trajectories that are most likely to influence how we design and experience products for the coming decades.</p>
<p>When applied appropriately aesthetic design enhances the sophistication, functionality and overall value of a product. Try tuning into the following core aesthetic design trends to inspire your next creation. Visit the gallery below for visual examples.</p>

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S3 16x9

<h2>Organic Minimalism</h2>
<p>The original Minimalist style in product design was inspired by architecture. It was a movement away from extraneous decoration that stripped a product down to its necessary elements and no more. Braun products from the 1970s and ‘80s reflected this philosophy with clean pure formulas of shape, composition and solid, monochromatic color. Organic Minimalism expands on the “less is more” philosophy by including restrained organic forms and seamlessly integrated interface elements.</p>
<p>Restrained organic forms are surfaces that—while remaining uncluttered by extraneous detail—use curvature and subtle surface undulation to create a simple visual statement.</p>
<p>This trend is also reflected in user interface hardware execution. Touch-sensitive controls, haptic feedback, dead-front illumination and, of course, touchscreens all facilitate the creation of seamless surfaces that hide the visual complexity of the interface while allowing an intentionally curated approach to user interactions. This is especially valuable in feature-rich products.</p>
<p>In Organic Minimalism, logos and graphic branding elements recede to allow the overall silhouette and details to drive the visual statement of the product.</p>

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S1 16x9

<h2>Real Materialism<br></h2>
<p>This macro design trend is all about honesty in the application of materials in the construction of a product. Using real metal, wood, or carbon fiber instead of decorated plastic substitutes translates into a higher perceived value for your product and brand. The same goes for ceramics, textiles and other non-plastic materials.</p>
<p>This trend can be applied to plastics as well. When the materials’ inherent aesthetic properties are leveraged honestly and appropriately, a design in plastics can be just as beautiful and aesthetically rich as one crafted from a block of aluminum. The fluid nature of plastics allows for the creation of forms and surfaces with a high degree of control, accuracy and consistency. Examples of “honest” plastic would be high-gloss finishes, matte finishes, precision textures, elastic forms, amorphic surfaces and solid color employing the exciting variable of translucency.</p>

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S2 16x9

<h2>Organic Textures & Patterns</h2>
<p>This aesthetic trend is characterized by custom-designed surface textures and patterns that are organic in nature. Organic textures have visual flow and a softness about them that break from the strict linear grid patterns of modernism. These custom-designed surface details trace their roots back to the meticulous detailing of centuries’-old pottery and woodworking where handmade surface textures were applied as a means of personalizing and humanizing a man-made object. The examples that are proliferating today in product design draw inspiration from nature and have a tie into the functional story of the product such as a representation of moving air, flowing water or acoustic waves.</p>
<p>Organic textures and patterns add a warm and dynamic visual element that speaks to quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail. They also bring a touch of personalization and uniqueness to the product. Use of organic textures should be done in a way that reinforces a product’s character.</p>

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S4 16x9

<h2>Functional Exposure<br></h2>
<p>Perhaps inspired by the controversial <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Georges_Pompidou" target="_blank">Centre Georges Pompidou</a> by architects Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano and Gianfranco Franchini, this trend is all about glorifying the inner workings of a product. Translucent plastic housing components such as those on Dyson’s vacuum collection canister were inspired by the original iMac housing. Functional Exposure is all about revealing the traditionally hidden technology at the center of a product’s innovation. This works on multiple levels, not the least of which is selling the technology’s value in a visually captivating manner.</p>
<p>In addition to the overall aesthetic design trends mentioned above, there are several emerging form and shape trends to watch that will begin to manifest themselves in mainstream products.</p>

Fractal blog size

<h2>Fractal<br></h2>
<p>Much as the sleek forms of early aircraft influenced the streamlined design style of 1930-1950, the unconventional shapes of the Stealth fighter jet inspired a new aesthetic design trend. This trend is characterized by flat, angular planes arranged in triangular or polygonal surfaces that are angled with respect to one another and meet at sharp edges. When paired with dark finishes it is decidedly masculine, aggressive, precise and high tech. The effect can also be toned down to create a more “friendly” product with the Fractal geometry being constrained to a singular surface allowing touchpoints that are more comfortable and approachable for the user.<br></p>

Push blog size

<h2>PUSH<br></h2>
<p>PUSH is a form language that employs tensioned surface treatments that have the appearance of a fabric stretched over a solid object. It can trace its roots back to the challenge of shrink wrapping a product’s interior components to achieve the minimal enclosure size. Depending on the scale and degree of severity, PUSH can be friendly or aggressive, soft or tough, minimizing or maximizing.<br></p>

<p>Our experts in insights, strategy, design, and engineering guide you through an end-to-end innovation process that delivers results.</p>

Services Page: Product Design and Development at Delve (Our Services)

<h2>Start exploring</h2>
<p>Aesthetics can be highly personal and subjective, making it easy to default to known formulas as a safe way to express a product’s form and function. That’s a shame as there so many options available that can truly differentiate your product.</p>
<p>While there is no replacement for seeking out a professional designer’s opinion regarding the application of aesthetic design trends, I feel compelled to leave you with a few suggested online resources to provide you with inspiration. <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> is a great resource as are <a href="https://lemanoosh.com/" target="_blank">leManoosh</a> and <a href="http://coolhunting.com/" target="_blank">Cool Hunting</a>. Look around, soak it in and enjoy your exploration.<br></p>
<p><em><sup>\This article was written by Bill Dorr and&nbsp;originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of Appliance Design.</sup></em></p>

<p><strong>Learn more about our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.delve.com/services/design" target="_blank">New Product Design Services</a><a href="https://www.delve.com/services/design" target="_blank">​</a>.</strong></p>

SEO Text: Design Services

Newsletter Signup: Consumer Product Development (icon visual)

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S5

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S4

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S2

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S1

06 Article Dorr Aesthetic Trends S3

<p><strong>When applied appropriately aesthetic design enhances the sophistication, functionality and overall value of a product. Try tuning into the following core aesthetic design trends to inspire your next creation. </strong></p>

Contact Us | General (Let's build something together)

Consumer Products

Home

Insights

How to Leverage Aesthetic Design Trends in Product Design

Breadcrumbs

A full-service product design and strategic innovation consultancy.

Delve

When applied appropriately aesthetic design enhances the sophistication, functionality and overall value of a product. Try tuning into the following core aesthetic design trends to inspire your next creation.

When applied appropriately aesthetic design enhances the sophistication, functionality and overall value of a product. Try tuning into the following core…

description

generator

kSwNn6qD4B-4HloWnWMUBWQNpBx2_mPi3nMqgsh6ato

google-site-verification

aesthetic, design, enhances, core, trends, appropriately, sophistication, functionality, overall, value, following, inspire, applied, product, tuning

keywords

https://cms.delve.com/assets/images/_1200x630_crop_center-center_82_none/06-Article-Dorr-AestheticTrends.jpg?mtime=1598898385

https://linkedin.com/company/delvedesign/

https://www.delve.com/insights/aesthetic-design-trends

referrer

robots

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:description

https://cms.delve.com/assets/images/_800x418_crop_center-center_82_none/06-Article-Dorr-AestheticTrends.jpg?mtime=1598898385

twitter:image

twitter:image:alt

twitter:image:height

twitter:image:width

twitter:site

twitter:title

{"title":{"title":"How to Leverage Aesthetic Design Trends in Product Design | Delve"}}

Learn the Not-So-Basics

An aesthetic design trend is composed of form, shape, proportion, color, materials, finish, texture and typography that create a distinct visual personality.

Privacy Policy

FCOI Policy

Services

Case Studies

Testimonials

What We Do

About Us

Our People

Join Our Team

Careers

Newsroom

Who We Are

Boston

Madison

Philadelphia

San Francisco

Our Studios

Partner with Delve

Contact Us

Contact

<p>Vamsee Pamula, Founder &amp; President, Baebies</p>

Read informative articles from Delve's team of experts. Discover innovative strategies and insights about product design, engineering, and development.

Delve Insights: Product Innovation & Development Blog

innovation, product, design, advice, development

https://cms.delve.com/assets/images/_1200x630_crop_center-center_82_none/Delve_titlecard.png?mtime=1654035558

https://cms.delve.com/assets/images/_800x418_crop_center-center_82_none/Delve_titlecard.png?mtime=1654035558

How to Leverage Aesthetic Design Trends in Product Design

How to Leverage Aesthetic Design Trends in Product Design

Related Insights