Industrial design is a fascinating and complex field. It encompasses various disciplines, from engineering to architecture to marketing. If you are interested in pursuing a career in industrial design, it is vital to understand the related disciplines that make up this field. This blog post will discuss five essential related disciplines you should know about!
Design involves much more than just making things look pretty. It must take into account function, form, and ergonomics. Of course, aesthetics are essential, but you must balance them with practicality; this is where industrial design comes in. Industrial designers consider all of these factors to create beautiful and functional products.
Five main disciplines are essential to industrial design:
Engineering:
A strong understanding of engineering principles is necessary to create safe and functional products. Therefore, industrial designers must work with engineers to ensure they can manufacture their designs safely and effectively.
Think of engineering as a foundation upon which industrial designers build their creations.
Engineering is the process of designing and building structures, machines, and systems. It is a wide-ranging field that incorporates many different disciplines, including mathematics, physics, and computer science. Industrial designers use engineering principles to create functional and aesthetically-pleasing products. To succeed, industrial designers must have a strong understanding of the materials and processes used in manufacturing. They must also be able to think creatively and solve problems. In many ways, industrial design is the perfect blend of art and science. By drawing on the strengths of both disciplines, industrial designers can create truly great products.
Architecture:
Good industrial design must consider the overall architectural environment in which the consumer will use the product. For example, you must design a piece of furniture to fit a room's dimensions and complement the existing décor.
In other words, industrial designers must be able to think about the big picture; this includes considering how a product will be used in its intended setting and how it will interact with other products and elements in the environment.
For example, a kitchen appliance should be designed with both form and function in mind, considering the kitchen layout and the user's needs. In addition, good industrial design is essential for creating aesthetically pleasing and functional products.
Marketing:
Industrial design is all about creating products that are both functional and appealing to consumers. To succeed, industrial designers must have a good understanding of marketing principles. They need to understand what trends are popular and how to incorporate them into their designs.
In addition, they must be able to identify the needs and wants of target consumers. Only by thinking like a marketer can industrial designers create products that will appeal to those who will ultimately be using them.
Material science:
To create durable and aesthetically-pleasing products, industrial designers must have a good understanding of the properties of different materials. They must be able to select the best material for each application.
Industrial designers use material science to select strong and durable materials to withstand the forces they will be subject to in use. They also want materials that have the appropriate appearance for the product they are designing. For example, a designer of kitchen knives would wish for a material that is stainless and non-rusting, has a good balance of hardness and toughness and has a pleasant appearance. In addition, different materials have different properties that make them more or less suitable for other applications. By understanding the properties of materials, industrial designers can select the best material for each application.
One way of looking at material science is that it is the study of how different materials interact with each other.
Ergonomics:
Industrial designers must consider ergonomics to create products that are easy and comfortable to use. By definition, ergonomics is the study of how people interact with products; this can cover everything from how you design a piece of furniture to the layout of a computer keyboard. In industrial design, we refer to ergonomics as how you create products that fit the human body. For example, a chair with an excellent ergonomic design will be adjustable to suit various body types and have features that support good posture.
Good industrial design considers a product's ergonomics to make it as user-friendly as possible. When designers ignore ergonomics, they run the risk of creating products that are difficult or uncomfortable to use. Ultimately, good industrial design is about creating products that work well for the people who use them.
These are just a few of the disciplines that are essential to industrial design. By understanding all aspects of the field, you can be sure to create products that are both beautiful and functional. Pursuing a career in industrial design can be very rewarding, so if you are interested in this field, be sure to learn as much as possible about the related disciplines!