I recently came across a job posting by Mercedes-Benz, for a senior level UX Designer. Specifically the post called for experience in the digital evolution of automobiles and with connected devices design.
So what is User Experience Design? And what exactly is the digital evolution of automobiles?
UX design has been around since the 1940’s. Although used primarily to develop ergonomic design solutions, it’s a multidisciplinary field that also encompasses aspects of psychology, anthropology, architecture, sociology, computer science, graphic design, industrial design and cognitive science.
The recent increase in digital technologies and our interaction with them has created new forms of product experience and new areas of research/opportunities in Human-Computer Interaction Design that also falls under the User Experience Design umbrella.
Consider the surge of digital products and applications, Cell Phones, Cameras, the Nike+ that digitally connects with your Footwear to your Cell Phone and Computer, the introduction of Google Glass, ebooks and and development of Self Driving Cars.
Needless to say as all companies increase the digital content of their designs they will also look to offer the best digital design solutions and innovations, so User Experience Design will become increasingly important.
The Mercedes-Benz job posting is a good example of how car companies that typically focused mainly on aesthetic and brute performance, are broadening their design vision and expertise by reacting to the cultural developments brought on by advances in digital technology.
Now it remains to be seen how other products from motorcycles to scuba diving equipment integrate new digital applications to their products to expand the user experience?
And what other holistic design solutions User Experience Design will offer, that bring added value to consumer experiences related to retail, manufacturing and product disposal.
With good User Experience Design, every product from footwear to toothbrush, has the potential to become much more. More important, valuable, more meaningful.
Below is an inspiring video on “Trends in UI, Interaction, & Experience Design”.
For further reading on the evolution of digital design with regards to consumer products click on some previous posts of mine below.
Intelligent Design – Staying Culturally Relevant in the Digital Age
The Next Big Invention in Information Processing – The Future Footwear Perspective
74 FOOTWEAR DESIGN CONSULTING 
Yes. A very interesting field. The only thing i hope is that ux design remains ux design. There was a very interesting lecture about ux design and gamification at my highschool which predicted that interfaces, for example, in cars will become more entertaining. But is that good? Ux design is, as you already said, a chance but also a ethical problem. People tend to prefere easy interfaces what i can understand. But sometimes that may be impossible or inadequate. Shouldn’t there be a limit of positive experience so that we never forget that wie are using mashines…? I don’t know yet. Wie will see. I just wanted to broaden that issue….
A very wise perspective. Thank you.