What is Industrial Design? A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Have you ever wondered why your phone feels so easy to use or how your favourite chair fits you right?

Industrial design involves creating, developing, and enhancing products that blend function, usability, manufacturing ability, eco-friendliness, and looks. This field turns ideas into real products, ensuring they’re useful and attractive.

The everyday objects we interact with in the home, office, school, or public setting result from the design process.

This blog will discuss industrial design, its applications, uses, and the skills and tools needed to make a career in it.

What is Industrial Design?

Industrial design covers things from conceptualisation to development and production. It blends creativity, functionality, and practicality to shape the objects we use daily.

Think about the sleek design of smartphones, the chair’s ergonomic curve, or the kitchen appliance’s layout. Industrial design typically researches how consumers might use a product and then works with professionals to create the concepts and design for the inventions.

Importance of Industrial Design

Industrial design is more about making the products look good and enhancing functionality, usability, and aesthetics. Here’s why industrial design is crucial –

• Enhance User Experience: The industrial designer enhances user experience by simplifying complex ideas into seamless interactions and continuously developing easy-to-use products.

• Enhance Functionality and Usability: It uses ergonomics and user behaviour to create intuitive and efficient designs.

• Fosters Brand Identity: Turns products into symbols of a brand’s vision and values, combining timeless elegance and functionality. 

• Blends Form and Function: Creates design that solves problems while delivering aesthetically pleasing solutions, elevating everyday products into memorable user experiences. 

• Increase Product Value: Consumers often perceive well-designed products as being more valuable. The quality of materials, attention to detail, and functional aspects incorporated into the design justify a higher price point.

• Driving Innovation: It encourages designers to generate new ideas by pushing the boundaries and changing their perspectives. Designers explore new materials, designs, and processes that boost creativity and drive industry-wide advancements.

Core Components of Industrial Design

Here are the Core Components of Industrial Design – 

1. Functionality – 

It is a cornerstone of effective industrial design, ensuring a product fulfils its intended purpose efficiently and effectively. Designers prioritise understanding customer needs and incorporating ergonomics, usability, and maintenance ease to create practical solutions.

For example, intuitive control interfaces, ergonomic seating, and optimised storage solutions in the automotive industry highlight the functional design.

2. Aesthetics –

A product’s visual appeal plays a critical role in its success. Clean lines, balanced proportions, and thoughtful material choices contribute to aesthetics, user perception, and experience. 

For example, Apple products, with their sleek, minimalist designs, have set benchmarks for aesthetic excellence in consumer electronics. 

3. Simplicity –

Simplicity reduces complexity, enhances usability, and ensures intuitive interactions. Streamlined designs focus on essential features and clear, concise interfaces.

For example, Google’s minimalist search engine interface exemplifies simplicity, delivering an efficient and user-friendly experience.

4. Innovation – 

Innovation pushes boundaries, incorporating new ideas, technologies, and materials to create standout products that redefine user experiences.
For example, Tesla’s electric vehicles revolutionised the automotive industry with cutting-edge technology, sustainable design, and high performance, offering an eco-friendly driving alternative.

Skills and Tools for Industrial Designers

Industrial designers need different skill sets that help them to thrive in the competitive world and achieve career growth. Here are some of the essential skills for industrial designers –

1. Communication: Sharing thoughts, views, and ideas plays a key role. It also helps connect teams from different fields. Good communication keeps projects on track and stops mix-ups or hold-ups. 

2. Creativity: It forms the core of industrial design. It allows designers to look at everyday things in new ways. These skills turn rough ideas into attractive products that resonate with users.

3. Collaboration: Industrial design thrives on teamwork; it calls for working with marketers, engineers, and other designers.

4. Adaptability: Being able to adapt helps designers roll with changes, pick up new skills fast, and bring in fresh trends. This keeps their work current and competitive in the field.

5. Computer-aided design (CAD): Designers need to know their way around CAD tools in today’s digital world. Programs like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or SketchUp allow for the exact drafting, design, and tweaking of ideas. This boosts how well designers can work.

6. Model Making: Turning ideas into physical models is key in assessing and improving designs, from rough sketches to 3D-printed samples. Creating models offers a hands-on view that helps make decisions.

7. Design Thinking: Designers must use a method that focuses on solutions to spot issues, meet user needs, and develop workable answers. This way of thinking strikes a balance between looks and usefulness, leading to products that are easy to use and good-looking.

Careers in Industrial Design

Many industrial designers begin their journey as Product designers, crafting tangible, functional, and visually appealing products. Others might join as User Experience (UX) designers focusing on creating seamless, intuitive interactions that enhance user satisfaction.

Some work as design consultants, advising businesses on product development and branding strategies. 

The job profiles for the Industrial designers include – 

• Industrial Architect
• Industrial Design Analyst
• Occupational Engineers
• Design Consultants

How to get started in Industrial Design

To become an Industrial designer, you can graduate from higher secondary school, earn a bachelor’s degree, pursue a master’s degree, or create a professional portfolio. 

Further, short certificates in programs like CAD, 3D modelling, or design thinking can help you improve your skills and find new job chances. 

Institutes like MIT Institute of Design offer specialized B. Des & M. Des courses in Industrial Design for practical learning, access to the latest tools, and real-world projects that prepare students to excel. 

When you choose the right education path and take opportunities to build practical skills, you will establish a strong foundation for a successful career in industrial design.

Also Read:

• What is Product Design? A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide

• What Does a Product Designer Do? Unveiling the Roles and Responsibilities

• What is a Design System? A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Consistency in Design