01 Apr The Hidden Design of Everyday Objects on the iDesign Lab
When we think about design, our minds often drift to art, interiors, or fashion. We rarely consider the countless objects we interact with daily that have been meticulously designed for specific functions. In our latest iDesign Lab podcast episode, we explored these “hidden designs” that shape our everyday experiences without our conscious awareness.
Consider the smartphone in your pocket. Beyond the obvious technological marvels inside, have you ever wondered why its corners are rounded? This seemingly simple design choice serves multiple purposes: rounded corners are less likely to cause injury, and they actually help protect the device during falls by distributing impact forces more evenly. This thoughtful consideration exemplifies how design extends far beyond aesthetics to include functionality, safety, and practicality.
Even the most mundane objects contain fascinating design elements. The Heinz ketchup bottle, for instance, features the iconic “57” label positioned precisely where tapping will help the condiment flow more smoothly. Pen caps have small holes to prevent choking if accidentally swallowed. The perforations in toilet paper serve a dual function—not only making each sheet easy to tear but also helping to keep the roll from unraveling too quickly. These subtle features represent thousands of iterations and refinements that we completely take for granted.
Some design elements have fascinating historical contexts. Many people don’t realize that stop signs were originally yellow, not red. The change only came in the 1950s when technology finally allowed for weather-resistant red paint. Similarly, computer keyboards maintain the seemingly illogical QWERTY layout originally designed for mechanical typewriters—not to help us type faster, but actually to slow us down! This was necessary because typing too quickly on early typewriters would cause the mechanical keys to jam. Despite the obsolescence of this constraint, the design persists due to widespread familiarity.
Beyond physical objects, there exists what we call “invisible design”—the systems, processes, and methods that organize our lives. This includes everything from how we plan meals to how we structure meetings. Airport logistics, conversation strategies, mentoring approaches—all of these represent design thinking applied to intangible aspects of human experience. These systems may not be immediately visible, but they profoundly shape how we navigate our world.
The Netherlands offers compelling examples of innovative design thinking at scale. Their highways feature glow-in-the-dark lines rather than standard paint, drastically improving visibility at night. Their waste management systems often utilize underground collection tunnels instead of curbside pickup, creating cleaner streetscapes. These examples demonstrate how design thinking can transform entire infrastructures when applied with imagination and purpose.
As Steve Jobs understood, great design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how something works. The genius of Apple products extends beyond their sleek appearance to their intuitive functionality. Similarly, the iconic Tiffany blue box has become as recognizable and valuable as the jewelry it contains, showing how design elements can transcend their original purpose to become powerful symbols in their own right.
Next time you interact with everyday objects, take a moment to appreciate the invisible design decisions that shape your experience. From the ergonomic handle of your scissors to the carefully engineered coffee cup that fits perfectly in your car’s cupholder, these thoughtful details represent countless hours of problem-solving and innovation. In recognizing these hidden designs, we gain a richer understanding of the constructed world around us—and perhaps even inspiration for our own creative endeavors.
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