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The Role of Industrial Design
March 5, 2008According to the definition given by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), industrial design (ID) is the “professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer.” An industrial designer combines artistic form with engineering necessities. The ID practitioner blends the human meanings expressed through form, color, and texture with the mechanical realities of function in a way that broadcasts a coherent and purposeful message to those who experience the product. Good industrial design can create additional product benefits through the selection of materials and the architecture of the design. Industrial designers have extensive training in art, as well as training in basic engineering, manufacturing and fabrication processes, and marketing practices.
Dreyfuss (1967) lists five critical goals that industrial designers bring to a team when developing new products:Utility: The product’s human interfaces should be safe, easy to use, and intuitive. Each feature should be safe so that it communicates its function to the user.
Appearance: Form, line, proportion, and color are used to integrate the product into a pleasing whole.
Ease of Maintenance: Products must also be designed to communicate how they are to be maintained and repaired.
Low Costs: Form and features have a large impact on tooling and production costs, so they must be considered jointly by the team.
Communication: Product designs should communicate the corporate design philosophy and mission through the visual qualities of the products.
Industrial Designers usually become involved in a development project almost at the outset. Enthusiasm within the development team increases when industrial designers develop an attractive concept early in the project. When members have a real concept to work towards, the effort ceases to be purely a cerebral exercise, and instead, comes alive with personal meaning.Product Design and Development
The Generic Process for Developing New Products
I. Concept Development
A. Identify Customer Needs
B. Establish Target Specifications
C. Analyze Competitive Products
D. Generate Product Concepts
E. Select a Product Concept
F. Refine Product Specifications
G. Perform Economic Analysis
H. Plan the Remaining Development Project
II. System-Level Design
III. Detail Design
IV. Testing and Refinement
V. Production Ramp-up
Challenges
The challenges for current designers come from many factors. Design is a process of decision making and choosing between trade-offs. The process is dynamic, the goals (objectives) and constraints are constantly shifting as more information becomes available. The “devil is in the details.” Successful design depends upon successful execution through to a detailed result. The design cycle is speeding up, and all of the preceding must be done faster. Finally, product complexity has exceeded what can be grasped by a single designer, and so the design process must proceed in an environment of collaboration.
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Previous Comments
Hi Kai!
I really have a long story to tell,and I enjoy story-telling…hehehe..to begin,I am currently a Graphic Designer,for me that’s what I call the fexibility of being an Industrial Designer..though now I’m really missing product design.
Well,it has been roughly 7 years ago since I’ve graduated BFA-ID (wow angtanda ko na pala) and I can say that my stay at UP-CFA has been one of the best things that I’ve got myself into. At first,shocking talaga as you’ve said it,but not that shocking,medyo nanibago lang sa “freedom” na na-experience ko during the first few weeks of my stay sa CFA,and its a positive aspect as I see it. Well for me coming from a Catholic school wherein lahat ng kilos ay may corresponding do’s and don’t,it seems like I’ve submerged myself in an ocean of mystery where I have to do the exploration all by myself (mabuti pa si Dora the Explorer may kasama..hehehe joke lang) but seriously it really made a big difference for me. I think it happens to all naman,and its a good thing.
On your concern about the curiculum here,I’m not that sure pero I think mas advanced na ngayon kesa nung time ko..after I’ve left CFA,nagkaroon na sila ng 3D programs for designing,and also they have largeformat printers to do graphics..for sure mas mahal nga lang miscellaneous ngayon hehehe..but I think it’s worth it naman. Technically,I’ve learned a lot at UP-CFA..manual & computer aided drafting,3D modelling using different materials,photography,and so much more things as I’ve embraced the word called DESIGN.
In my case wayback year 2000 (angtagal na pala talaga),there’s a non-govt organization during that time scouting for young designers to be based on the provinces to design & develop products for their partner clients. They visited UP Diliman and after some tests and Q&A’s,I was chosen to be a part of the program. I was one of the first batch of that DRAFT (Designers for Regional Apprenticeship for Fair Trade) program,and that became my practicum or OJT..and soon after I’ve graduated,they’ve hired me as a designer. I’ve worked for them as a freelance designer for about 4yrs since then,going to the provinces,staying there for a month developing new products,and it’s like I’m going on a vacation every now and then,all expense paid,and I enjoyed every part of it especially when my design is being exhibited on trade events here at Manila.
About 5yrs ago,my co-designers and I formed a design group called 1029 Designs for Fair Trade,supported by our mother organization.Right now,there are lots of new designers in the group,mostly fresh graduates from UP,UST and Mapua.
If you’re thinking of the reason why I suddenly shifted to Graphic Designing,well it’s another story to tell..but still I’ve left a light on the path as I go to this new endeavor of mine,and I can easily go back and forth from Product Design & Graphic Design..its relative,it complements each other so to speak..
And if you’re thinking of cross-enrolling here,it would be good for you,but I’m not saying naman na hindi ok jan sa UP Cebu,afterall UP is UP and design is design..all that matters is on how the student takes all the things around him/her. If you wish to pursue that career,no one can hold you down,and if ever you chose to transfer here,possibly I can also help you. A cousin of mine is also enrolled at UPCFA-ID,I’m also giving her some advice as she goes along the way.
Being a student is a fun thing..a lot of opportunities awaits..
“You’ve got the talent, nurture it. Don’t have the talent but you have the passion for it, just practice, develop and continue learning.”
Thanks a lot for having some interest reading this particular post,have a nice day! Long live INDUSTRIAL DESIGN!
Posted by designerbin at November 10, 2008, 1:04 pmHi, I’m about to graduate college but sadly, ID is not one of the courses being offered in our school. I was thinking of looking for a program after graduation (any program–short course/masters) that could perhaps help bring out my creative side. I’ve no experience whatsoever but I do have the drive to learn about ID (and a little graphic designing skills). I know that this could be one thing that I could be really passionate about. Would you know any institution/college that offers 6months-1year ID training to newbies?
Posted by andrea at January 3, 2009, 9:26 pmHi Iya!
It’s good to know that you have the drive and passion for ID and graphic design, afterall Industrial Design is really an interesting field of study. By the way, from what school are you and what course are you taking up? If your course is somehow related to ID or arts, possibly some subjects could be credited.. or you can also take the masteral.
To have a Certificate in Industrial Design, you need to undergo 3 years (6 semesters) of study at the College of Fine Arts in UP Diliman (other universities also offer ID courses - UST, La Salle, Mapua - but I’m not sure if they have short term ID course.)
Yes, it’s really a detailed process if you prefer to take it in a college. But I can guarantee you that you will be able to know the do’s and don’ts about Industrial Design as a profession besides bringing out the creative side in you. I was enrolled before in a certificate program, then I finished BFA major in ID for an additional year, and I’m happy with that, I can say it’s worth it.
Sad to say, I don’t know a college that offers ID training for 6 months to 1 year. But if you really wish to learn all the basics regarding ID and graphic designing for a shorter period of time, I can perhaps offer you my tutorial services. Every detail regarding the Industrial Design, from the most basic lesson up to the actual product designing and production. I can even refer some product manufacturers and companies to work with if you’re interested.
I’m an ID practicioner for nearly 8 years now, and I can say that ID is really interesting and fun.
Have a nice day!
Hello, i’m interested in this particular blog post. How has it been after you graduated?
By the way, i’m a junior Industrial Design student dito sa UP Cebu, and I feel na kulang pa knowledge ko sa Industrial Design (to think, nasa 3rd yr na ako). Bago pa kasi ang course na ito sa Cebu, so medyo di pa stable yung mga subjects and all. Parang ang layo-layo namin kumpara sa ID jan sa UPD.. anu-ano mga pinag-aralan nyo sa ID? kasi i’m thinking of cross-enrolling to UPD. then baka ma shock ako, or what..
hoping for your response.
Posted by kai at November 7, 2008, 11:28 amthank you!