The Design
The design can protect the shape of a product. It is not important whether this shape is beautiful or not, as the concepts are relative, but it is sufficient for it to be particular, its characteristics must be different from all the others. Besides the product shape also a drawing, a decoration or any other two-dimensional element can be protected.
[The exterior aspect]
The design protects the non-technical aspects of the product. The protection offered by the design concerns the external decorative elements, not the functionality.
Therefore, for instance, a toaster could be patented if it is made in a particular way to warm the bread more efficiently, but could also get a protection for the design of its exterior aspect.
The design protection is becoming more and more important as often the shape plays a fundamental role in the success of a product.