Ten Industrial Design Trends You Can’t Ignore

Forbes posts it’s Ten Industrial Design Trends You Can’t Ignore.  Kind of a weird “list” as it’s actually not a list but a series of photos outlining the trends with captions.

I find the Focus On The Other 90% item pretty interesting, as a focus shifts from the more flashy/cool/trendy designs commonly seen in the U.S. to the undeveloped 90% of the world such as Africa. Back to the roots of design, simple function for the betterment of life.

And of course, a trend highlighting the iPhone…

Simplexity
Steve McCallion, executive creative director of Portland, Ore.-based industrial design firm Ziba Design, says there’s a trend toward “simplexity,” products that have many functions but are approachable, ergonomically correct and easy to use--like Apple’s iPhone. The baby boomers have also propelled simplexity; as the generation ages, the need for easy-to-use, at-home medical equipment becomes greater. Ami Verhalen, director of industrial design at Madison, Wis.-based Design Concepts, says that in-home health care will be a huge driver for product innovation in the upcoming decade.

On a side note, the Forbes.com “In Pictures” photo browser leaves a lot to be desired.