Compositional principles in industrial design: A comparative analysis of traditional and digital practices
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper examines compositional principles in industrial design through a comparative analysis of traditional and digital design practices. The focus is placed on the fundamental structural elements of composition, balance, contrast, rhythm, proportion, and visual hierarchy, and their role in shaping the form, functionality, ergonomics, and visual identity of industrial products (Arnheim, 1974; Lupton & Phillips, 2015). The research is based on a qualitative analysis of representative examples from Macedonian industrial design, including products from the 1970s as well as contemporary solutions in furniture and lighting design. Through a comparative approach, the study analyzes the transformation of compositional strategies from static, materially determined systems to dynamic, adaptive, and digitally generated forms (Forty, 1986; Kolarevic, 2003). The results indicate that, despite the conceptual stability of compositional principles, their operational application has significantly evolved under the influence of digital technologies and new design methodologies. The study further suggests that excessive reliance on digital tools may lead to formal homogenization, while traditional approaches remain constrained by material and production conditions (Burry, 2011; Sennett, 2008). The paper concludes that a hybrid model, integrating material intelligence with computationally generated processes, represents the most balanced and relevant approach for contemporary industrial design practice (Oxman, 2010; Norman, 2013).
DOI: 10.69648/xuch4580
Authors: Katerina Despot, Vaska Sandeva
Institution: Goce Delcev University
Language: English
Subfield: Architecture
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204073284