An Analysis of Iconic Design Elements to Differentiate Design Identities : Focusing on BKID product design cases

Identity plays a role in building a unique identity and shaping consumer perceptions, serving as a key factor in securing differentiation and conveying brand images in the current product market, where minimal design makes visual distinction challenging. In this context, iconic design plays a crucial role in effectively constructing brand identity, especially as immediate recognition and recall become increasingly important for consumers. This study explores brand identity differentiation strategies by focusing on iconic design elements and selecting BKID's product design as the analysis target. Among the product design projects listed on the BKID official website from 2015 to 2025, 100 products were selected and analyzed based on five factors: simple outline, experimental form, intuitive structure, moderate color, and bold color. The study identifies three key aspects of BKID’s design identity: simplicity that harmonizes aesthetics and functionality, formative variations that deviate from universal forms, and a balanced use of moderate and bold colors. Additionally, after 2020, BKID’s brand identity was further established through the integration of formative experimentation and color strategies. This study suggests that the strategic use of iconic design in establishing brand identity for industrial design companies is an effective approach to brand differentiation and competitiveness, providing fundamental insights for future brand strategy development.