Understanding Product Concepts vs. Design Concepts
It’s important to understand the distinction between a product concept and a design concept. Many students confuse these two terms, but they represent different stages and aspects of product development.
What is a Product Concept?
A product concept is the initial idea and overall vision for a new product offering. It defines the “what” — what the product is meant to do, what need it fulfills, what core features it will have. The product concept stage captures the essence and purpose of the potential product.
Some examples of product concepts:
- A smartwatch that tracks fitness metrics
- A subscription meal delivery service for busy professionals
- A modular, portable laptop dock for mobile productivity
Notice how these are high-level definitions of the product category, intended use case, target user, and key capabilities. But they don’t specify any design details yet.
What is a Design Concept?
After defining the product concept, the next step is developing the design concept. This translates the abstract product idea into a concrete manifestation — the actual look, functionality, materials, and user experience of the envisioned…
