Digital service aesthetics:
Creating immaterial products

The design of immaterial products, especially digital service products, and their aesthetic and functional characteristics are examined. The authors, Oliver Gerstheimer and Christian Lupp, emphasize the need for new design disciplines such as system design, service design, process design and knowledge design.

In contrast to physical products, the design of immaterial products requires a higher degree of systematization and a greater variety of methods in order to evaluate and communicate their quality. The aesthetics of these products only become apparent when they are used and depend heavily on user interaction. Digital service products, especially in the mobile communications sector, must be functional, intuitive and tailored to the psychological and sociological needs of users.

The authors argue that the acceptance and success of these products are determined by the frequency of their use and their integration into everyday life. The article concludes with an outlook on the strategic relevance of the design of digital services and the role of the designer as the “user's advocate” and innovation partner in product development.