When a product is well designed, it is understood from the first use. This premise, typical of user-centered design (UX), is particularly important in the development of new industrial products, technological devices, or digital solutions. User intuition, guided by a fluid and well-thought-out experience, can make the difference between a successful product and one that is relegated to obscurity due to its complexity of use.
At I-MAS, we approach product design and development as a comprehensive process in which user experience is a key pillar from the outset. Designing intuitive products does not mean sacrificing functional complexity, but rather translating it into natural, understandable, and efficient interactions.
Why is UX design important in physical products?
Although the concept of UX is often associated with digital interfaces, its application in tangible products is just as crucial. Good UX design reduces the learning curve, minimizes user errors, and creates a positive relationship with the product. This translates into greater satisfaction, loyalty, and recommendation.
In industrial or technological products, where functions can be complex, the physical interface (buttons, screens, connectors, lights, sounds) is the language with which the product “speaks” to its user. If this language is confusing, the product fails in its mission, no matter how powerful its internal technology may be.
Keys to designing intuitive interfaces in physical products
- Observe users from the outset: It is not enough to define functionalities. You need to understand how people will interact with the product, in what context they will use it, and what their expectations or limitations are. Direct observation, interviews, and early use tests are key tools.
- Design by convention, not by invention: Take advantage of interaction patterns that are already familiar to users. For example, a button with a “play” icon should behave as such. Breaking these conventions can be creative, but it often causes confusion if not done for a clear and justified reason.
- Prototype and validate before finalizing the design: A good prototype, even if it is made of cardboard or 3D printed, allows you to check whether the design is intuitively understandable. If you need to be next to the user to guide them, it means that the product is not ready yet.
- Less is more: functional simplicity: Avoid overloading the product with features that do not add real value or that hinder the use of the main features. The selection of features is as important as their design.
- Clear feedback: Every product should communicate visually, audibly, or haptically that an action has been successfully completed. A click, a light that turns on, or a brief sound can guide the user intuitively.
UX as a competitive advantage in product design
A product that is understood at first glance is not only easier to use, it is also easier to sell. In sectors where differentiation is key, intuitive product design can be the deciding factor in a customer choosing one solution over another. It also reduces the cost of training, technical support, and the need for ongoing assistance.
At I-MAS, we have found that integrating UX thinking from the earliest stages of design allows us to develop products that are not only more efficient, but also more human. User experience is not a superficial layer, but rather an approach that transforms the way products are conceived, manufactured, and marketed.
UX and design methodology integrated into I-MAS
In short, we can say that product design today requires a comprehensive vision. It is no longer just about making a functional or aesthetic piece, but about creating intelligent products that offer a fluid, intuitive and coherent experience. Product design companies that understand this new reality and work from the conceptual phase with integrated UX/UI design teams will have a clear competitive advantage.
Our industrial and UX design team works closely with engineering and electronic development to ensure that the user experience is at the forefront of every design decision.
Because the experience is not designed at the end: it starts from the first sketch, from the first prototype.
Discover how we can help you take your project to the next level. Contact us and take the first step towards innovation.
