What is the main focus of planned obsolescence in product design?

Planned obsolescence refers to the strategy employed by manufacturers to intentionally design products with a limited lifespan or to make products become outdated quickly. The primary goal of this approach is to encourage consumers to replace products more frequently, thus driving repeated sales and maintaining a flow of income for the manufacturer.

This focus on limiting product lifespan is often achieved through various means, such as using materials that have a shorter durability or integrating technology that becomes obsolete due to advancements or updated models. This practice can be seen in many industries, including electronics, fashion, and automotive, where products are designed to not last indefinitely, ensuring that customers return to purchase the next iteration or replacement.

In contrast, maximizing product aesthetics might be a consideration in the design process, but it doesn’t align with the core principle of planned obsolescence. Similarly, increasing complexity in product maintenance or enhancing product technology could detract from user experience, which doesn’t necessarily contribute to the intent of promoting frequent consumer purchases. Thus, the emphasis of planned obsolescence is squarely on the strategic limitation of product lifespan to foster continued consumer demand.