Historical Evolution of Industrial Design Terminology: Examples of Terms Formation

Industrial design discourses are predominantly constructed upon systems of thought appropriated from various disciplines, including economics, philosophy, and sociology. In a historical context, it becomes evident that the terminology associated with industrial design has primarily been established through the adoption and contextualization of concepts from more advanced fields of study. The evolution of industrial design terminology mirrors the socio-cultural understanding of the era in which the practice occurs. Despite the historical influence from diverse disciplines, industrial design has cultivated its distinctive narrative by reinterpreting the concepts sourced from these areas. This study, arranged in chronological order, examines how industrial design discourse has progressed through different historical periods, elucidating the transformations and alterations of fundamental concepts derived from various academic fields along the design continuum, as well as the role of interdisciplinary interactions in shaping design terminology, illustrated through sample concept products. In the study, a hybrid approach that integrates narrative review with historical-conceptual analysis is adopted. The research is grounded in literature on design theory and history, professional association reports, seminal statements by influential designers, and critical examinations of iconic design objects.