Innovation Lab: Industrial Design Discussion

Industrial Design

Industrial design was developed due to technological innovations, as this field focuses on the specific design of products commercialized to all sorts of people in the world. Rather than having each item handcrafted and unique, which is quite time consuming for its creator, industrial design opened a lens to items that can be manufactured on larger scales. This type of design takes numerous factors into consideration, such as the product’s functionality, cost, and durability. Other things taken into account include the product’s visual appeal and how well it can be marketed to populations.

Industrial design is the source of interaction between humans and inanimate objects, it is key for consumer satisfaction along with manufacturing capabilities. User experience is increasingly changing in today’s rapidly evolving society, which in turn pushes the boundaries of design. Everyday items we use are things created through industrial design processes, essentially they are ideas that came to life, and the source of mass consumption and daily convenience. An example of an industrially designed product that I use in my daily life is my mirror, which stands on a stick connected to a small plate. I can move the angle of the mirror with ease and minimal resistance, the sticks pointing out from the main stand hold my rings and hair ties, and the plate is home to my necklace, clips, and other accessories. It is made of plastic, which is a cheaper and widely available material, yet very durable at the same time. Although this product may just seem like any other item, it was carefully designed for the user’s behaviors, specifically, people who have many accessories and no convenient place to hold them.

I also think it is important to remember that industrial design does not only limit itself to typical products as it is also applied to technological products and even clothes. Basically, many things we use in our daily lives can be considered as an industrial product, and that fact is often forgotten. This reading helped me understand the various aspects of design and all the components it takes to make an idea into a real product, which is something I have never deeply thought about now.