what about functional items that are mass-produced? Are they part of the world of visual arts? A broad definition of art would certainly include manufactured objects that are well designed. this field of art is know as industrail design. An industrail designer must understand both art and engineering. industrail design is the aesthetic refinement of products, making functional engineering solutions easy to use and understand, and attractive. the phrase "user-friendly" neatly conveys the goal of all industrial designers.