Integrated Product Gestalt Design Method for the Analysis and Definition of Interface Elements Regarding Exterior and Interior

The exterior and interior of products are often considered as independent systems in the development process. But both the interior and the exterior gestalt are of great relevance for the usage and perception of a product. As a consequence of technological advance, such as increased automation, the borders between exterior and interior are becoming blurred. The Integrated Product Gestalt Design Definition proposed in this paper facilitates the consideration of the interrelations between and resulting complexity of different aspects of a gestalt integrating exterior and interior. We therefore distinguish between the subgestalts layout, shape, colour with surface and graphics to describe both the exterior and interior. The interdependencies between interior and exterior are characterized by functional-technical and aesthetical aspects. To derive essential relations between the exterior and interior view different products, covering investment goods and consumer goods, are analyzed. This analysis reveals the most common relations between the exterior and interior systems and allows for finding recurring patterns of relations between exterior, inner space and interior. This is a prerequisite for the predictive quality of the Integrated Product Gestalt Design. Thus, the approach facilitates the next step of a guided implementation of a method for the development process by highlighting the links between the disciplines.