Good industrial design is more than just making things look good. It's about understanding how people use products and creating a user experience that is both functional and appealing. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of industrial design and why it's so important for product development. We will also take a look at some famous examples of great industrial design and see what we can learn from them!
So, what is industrial design? In a nutshell, industrial design is the process of designing products that are both functional and appealing to users. It involves taking into account a number of different factors, such as usability, ergonomics, manufacturing processes, and materials. Industrial designers also work to create a cohesive look and feel for a product line, so that all of the products in a line are visually appealing and consistent.
One of the key benefits of industrial design is that it can help to simplify complex tasks. For example, consider the task of making toast. Most people would agree that there are few things more frustrating than trying to make toast using a badly designed toaster. The buttons are difficult to press, the slots are too narrow, or the bread keeps getting stuck. A good industrial designer would take into account all of these factors and create a toaster that is both easy to use and frustration-free.
Industrial design has come a long way over the years. It began as an industrial process used to produce goods for mass consumption, but it has since evolved into a form of art and design that is appreciated for its own sake. Some of the most famous industrial designers are Dieter Rams, Philippe Starck, and Jonathan Ive.
Rams is known for his minimalist designs and use of clean lines and simple shapes. His work with Braun appliances in the 1960s helped to popularize industrial design as a form of art. Starck is known for his quirky, playful designs, which often incorporate humor and irony. He has worked on a wide range of products, from furniture to toothbrushes. Ive is the senior vice president of industrial design at Apple and is responsible for the look and feel of all Apple products. He has been credited with helping to create the "Apple aesthetic" and has said that "design is not about what it looks like and feels like. It's about how it works."
The process of industrial design can be divided into five main stages:
- Ideation: This is where the industrial designer comes up with initial ideas for a product. He or she will brainstorm different concepts and sketch out rough designs.
- Development: This is where the industrial designer begins to develop the sketches into more detailed designs. He or she will create prototypes and test them out with users to see how they work in real life.
- Production: Once the design has been finalized, it goes into production. The industrial designer will work with manufacturers to make sure that the product is manufactured correctly and meets all safety standards.
- Marketing: The industrial designer is also responsible for marketing the product. He or she will create advertising materials and work with retailers to get the product into stores.
- Maintenance: The industrial designer does not stop working once the product is released. He or she will continue to work with customers and retailers to address any problems that may arise and update the design as needed.
So, why is industrial design so important? There are a number of reasons. First, it can help to make products more efficient and user-friendly. Second, it can create a unified look and feel for a product line. Third, it can help to improve the overall quality of products. And finally, industrial design can help to increase sales and boost brand reputation.
In the end, industrial design is an essential part of product development. It helps to ensure that products are both attractive and functional, which is why all good companies should have an industrial designer on their team!
If an in-house industrial designer is not an optional, then companies can consider outsourcing industrial design work to companies like Innovolo.