What is Industrial Design? The humanisation of technology...
Industrial
Designers are responsible for the form of manufactured products. They
focus on the aspects of a product that relate directly to human
characteristics, needs and interests. Industrial Designers combine
knowledge about the visual arts and technology with an understanding of
people.
Industrial Designers creatively use the following skills and expertise:
-
Creative Problem Solving
Industrial Designers create products that offer simple pragmatic solutions to problems.
-
Function/Ergonomics
Industrial Designers ensure products do the job intended with a minimum of fuss and be comfortable, safe and easy to use.
-
Aesthetics/Appearance
Industrial Designers are responsible for the final appearance of products, deciding on the form, colour, and feel of a product. They also understand how people relate to product form emotionally, symbolically and socially.
-
Materials & Processes & Sustainability
With a good knowledge of the properties of materials and the manufacturing processes used to shape them, Industrial Designers are able to bring their ideas into reality with sensitivity to environmental issues.
-
Communication
Industrial Designers are skilled communicators using sketching, model making, and computer graphics/modelling to develop and communicate their design ideas.
Design
Process
These skills and knowledge are brought together creatively with the design process.
- Analysis - Researching and understanding the problem.
- Synthesis - Creative stage/brainstorming.
- Evaluation - Critical evaluation of ideas, choosing the strongest.
- Development - Refining the design.
- Communication - Communicating ideas to clients & users.
Employment
Time magazine has identified Industrial Design as one of the 15 hottest professions in terms of growth and pay in the coming decade. Industrial Designers work for manufacturing companies, consultancies, educators and as entrepreneurs. People with Industrial Design degrees work in various product areas, including: Appliances (toasters etc.)- Furniture - Automotive - Tools - Toys -Electronics - Movie Props -Exhibition Systems - Sporting Goods - Packaging - Interface...
On the Internet
Here are a few Internet sites to help you find out more about Industrial Design:
Schools & Organisations
core77.com - Largest general
Industrial Design site
idsa.org - Industrial Design Society
of America
dia.org.au - Design Institute of
Australia
icsid.org - International Congress of
Societies of Industrial Design
Australian
Design
marc-newson.com - Australian
designer Marc Newson performing well internationally
proen.com.au
designawards.com.au
Computer Software
International Consultancies
frogdesign.com
dcontinuum.com
ideo.com
Companies using Industrial Design
dyson.com - The unique vacuum cleaner
manufacturer using Industrial Design for competitive advantage.
design.philips.com
hermanmiller.com
- American
furniture manufacturer