When the makers of Coca Cola wanted a new bottle design that was instantly recognizable, even in the dark, they asked their bottle makers to come up with something distinctive. Looking to reference the ingredients in the drink, Earl R Dean, the bottle designer, looked to the cocoa pod for inspiration. The result is one of the best examples of form and function coming together in an iconic, winning design.

Useful Function

The Industrial Designers Society of America says design is a professional practice for creating the useful function of products, objects, devices and services. Industrial designers focus on the intersection of functionality, appearance and manufacturability of a product. The result is a product that provides value, an enhanced experience and positive feelings for the user.

Designers are often part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of strategists, user experience and interface experts (UX and UI), branding and graphics specialists, consumer representatives and manufacturers. Often …