Recent advances in the field of shape optimization, including the reduced basis methods, advances in automatic mesh generation and the maturity of geometry-based approaches to problem formulation and shape control are beginning to make shape optimization technology a reality in the automated product design process. In this paper, some practical, specifically, geometric aspects of the shape optimization procedures, as related to intermediate mesh refinement, are discussed and categorized into three different groups. The categorization is based on the magnitude of shape changes in the finite element model, during the iterative redesign process. Mesh quality issues are addressed. Two classical problems in shape optimization have been solved using these different procedures and certain realistic conclusions are made based on their implementation and robustness.