Americans aged 18 to 29 have an unusually high appreciation for the overall design of something, be it a product, a workplace, or a city. And this appreciation influences their decision to buy, accept a job offer, or relocate. Or so says a survey of more than 2,000 Americans completed by consumer polling firm Kelton Research and commissioned by Autodesk, Inc., in the commemoration of the company’s 25th anniversary.
The Design for Living survey found that compared to others, the 18 to 29 age group, the so-called “millennial generation,” places great importance on the quality, efficiency, function, and beauty of a design. For example: — Millennials are happier (74%), more motivated (64%) and more efficient (31%) in a well-designed workplace. — They are willing to pay more for an appealing product design, whether it’s a car (67%), furniture (60%), or a video game system (31%). — They give serious thought to public spaces (66%), and beauty and architecture (42%) when considering relocation to a new city. — Nine in 10 Millennials also care more than any other age group about sustainable design of new buildings for well-being and resource efficiency.
Survey results also show that these design factors have a considerable influence in many Americans’ daily choices. Almost seven in ten respondents said that the last time they saw a product in a store that they “just had to have,” it was because of the appeal of these factors. In addition: — Three-quarters of those surveyed (and more, among 30- to 39-year-olds) said they have enjoyed a movie simply because of its visual effects, despite other flaws. — An overwhelming 82% of survey participants would let the prospect of working in a beautifully designed building influence their decision to accept a job. — A majority of those surveyed (55%) believe that good design can actually improve a product’s function while also making it look better.
Source of the Modern Design Process
The survey results did not surprise the management at Autodesk, who have held a vision that design affects everything from consumer products to bridges, buildings and automobiles. Autodesk has worked to develop tools that offer advanced capabilities for everyone of all levels of experience and expertise. At its inception, Autodesk sparked the transformation of design from a mechanical, pencil-and-paper-based process to a digital process based on computer-assisted design (CAD) technology. The company continues that transformation: Today, 95% of the Forbes 100, and 89% of the Forbes 1,000 relies on Autodesk programs to visualize, simulate and analyze the real-world performance of ideas. Engineers have witnessed a stunning shift in the approach to design. They are rethinking the process, starting with an understanding of a design’s function and users’ likely experience, rather than ascertaining function from the geometry in a drawing. This approach is fundamental to building information modeling (BIM) in the building and construction sector, and to digital prototyping in the manufacturing sector. These progressive methods provide insight into users potential experience before anything is produced or constructed, so that engineers can refine concepts, eliminate waste, reduce time-to-market and product costs, and improve quality.
Autodesk is also spearheading industry and technology initiatives to help customers contend with major global economic forces that demand innovation as well as a response to social and environmental issues. One such initiative is its partnership with the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This alliance was forged to develop technology that will accelerate construction in accordance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. “Autodesk’s path to success over the last quarter-century has been shaped by understanding and anticipating the needs of our customers and their consumers,” said Carl Bass, president and CEO of Autodesk. “We are proud to provide companies of all sizes around the world advanced software tools to foster innovation. From some of the world’s most-recognized skyscrapers and stadiums, to premier European automobiles, to playground equipment, it’s incredibly rewarding to know our software is helping customers bring their innovative ideas to life.”
More research results can be found at www.autodesk.com/pressroom.
:: Design World ::
Filed Under: Automotive
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