Which of the following best distinguishes between superficial design improvements and functional
design improvements?
They are both similar, but different types of engineers use different terminology.
Superficial design improvements are created from scratch, while functional design
improvements are generated from existing structures or items, costing less money overall.
Superficial design improvements are typically only trivial changes to a design, while functional
design improvements can change the way a product or process is used to significantly
enhance performance.
Superficial improvements are implemented by individuals who are not engineers, while
functional design improvements are created by fully certified Professional Engineers.

Superficial design improvements are typically only trivial changes to a design, while functional design improvements can change the way a product or process is used to significantly enhance performance.

Explanation:

As a PC board designer, I would sometimes spend a certain amount of time making traces have shorter routes, or fewer layer changes or bends. (I wanted to make the layout "pretty.") In some cases, these changes are superficial, affecting the appearance only. In some cases, they are functional, reducing crosstalk or emissions or susceptibility to interference.

I deal with a web site that seems to be changing all the time (Brainly). In many cases, the same information is rearranged on the page—a superficial change. In other cases, the information being displayed changes, or the way that certain information is accessed changes. These are functional changes. (Sometimes, they "enhance performance," and sometimes they don't, IMO.)

In short ...

Superficial design improvements are typically only trivial changes to a design, while functional design improvements can change the way a product or process is used to significantly enhance performance.