Design Discussion – Week 1
Understanding Industrial Design
– Reading Discussion –Introduction
Before reading the article, my understanding of industrial design was very limited. When I hear the concept, the first thing that comes to mind is the Industrial Revolution and inventions of the past. Although I know industrial designers focus on developing consumer goods that are both efficient and aesthetically pleasing for buyers, I never often considered the ways in which the field has impacted and influenced our modern day society.
After Reading
After reading Simon King and Kuen Chang’s chapter on the history of industrial and interaction Design in their book, Understanding Industrial Design, I learned that the field of industrial design is a broad and complex specialty that encapsulates much more than just a simple process of design, production, and distribution. Instead, it is a collaboration of a variety of disciplines that utilize their individual and unique skills to design and create products.
Beginning with the growth of mass production during the Industrial Revolution which forced a separation in the making and design processes, designers were pushed to find a balance between user and manufacturer needs. This resulted in new products that ultimately demonstrated the nuanced design differences which reflected their respective regions and fields. The approaches to design were often dictated by specialties like business, people, technology, context, and behavior. Moreover, the Computing Revolution and the development of the Web were also key players in the development of industrial design, bringing on an Information Revolution which further promoted the influence of interaction design. Through this and the rise of technology, we now encounter a transitional technology period where interactions between the technological and the physical worlds bring on new design challenges. Nevertheless, despite introducing new complexities and challenges, the combination of physical and digital worlds also creates new opportunities.
Now, interaction designers need to go beyond their main disciplinary boundaries. For the future possibilities of technology and design, interaction designers will need to better comprehend industrial design, as well as the interaction and relationship between the digital and physical design principles. It takes teams of many different professionals and experts in a variety of fields to combine their understandings of their respective fields to develop and discover the new possibilities of design and creation. Additionally, it also considers a wide array of markets, and each approach and thought process behind the development of products is based on context and its targeted field.
Without all the important changes and discoveries in computing, information, and industrial design, our current world wouldn’t be the same as it is today. This is a developing industry with a bright future, and as we progress and learn more, the job of industrial designers will continue to expand and will require people to think of new ways to approach issues.
Outside Readings
When looking for outside sources addressing this topic, I noticed they too came to a similar consensus on the role and future of industrial design.
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Interesting Quotes: “Some things don’t change: Industrial design will keep changing” (“Industrial Design’s Past, Present, and Future,” 2023). “Perhaps because designers are becoming more removed from manufacturing, the profession is evolving to be less about product and more about problem definition…designers will transform into user experience designers” (“Industrial Design’s Past, Present, and Future,” 2023). “In the past few years, we have seen a major shift from product design to experience design. Design doesn’t only fit into the ‘beautification of objects’ anymore. Designers now have the ability to create unique human experiences” (“The Changing Role of Industrial Design,” 2014). “Today, designers are continuously challenging their boundaries and becoming an integral voice in a number of different businesses and industries… and for this reason, the role of the designer will continue to evolve in the years to come” (“The Changing Role of Industrial Design,” 2014). “Industrial design continues to evolve, shaping various industries, enhancing user experiences, and addressing sustainability and innovation challenges” (“The Evolution of Industrial Design,” 2023). |
By looking at what other current day industrial designers have to say about the field, it is clear that most designers have come to some mutual understandings. Firstly, industrial design is dynamic and has evolved to address and innovate in a variety of ways through various industries. Also highlighting how the development of technology throughout time has significantly influenced and impacted how designers work and communicate today. For example, the field requires more designers to have specializations, making them adapt to the new challenges of modern technology. Furthermore, there’s been a shift towards defining problems and creating an intuitive user experience by focusing on user experiences rather than just aesthetics and design.
Final thoughts
Industrial design is something that has impacted our world by aiding in the development of our societies throughout time. It has accompanied humans through centuries and is key in the outcome of our futures as well.
Starting with the Industrial Revolution as a tipping point for innovation that provided motivation for humanity to advance and evolve, industrial design never stopped changing. The way we think about design and purpose is also constantly advancing and improving to reflect its position in our current global atmosphere. The influence of industrial design can be seen in all aspects of our lives, especially in the tools and resources we use on a daily basis. It has established itself as a fundamental component of humanity. No matter the era, there will always be a place for industrial design and innovation in our world.
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Sources
King, Simon, and Kuen Chang. “Understanding Industrial Design.” O’Reilly Online Learning, O’Reilly Media, Inc., Jan. 2016, www.oreilly.com/library/view/understanding-industrial-design/9781491920381/ch01.html.
Turpault, Mathieu. “Industrial Design’s Past, Present, and Future: The Evolution of a…” Delve, 24 Oct. 2023, www.delve.com/insights/industrial-designs-past-present-future-the-evolution-of-a-profession.
“The Changing Role of Industrial Design.” Beyond Design, Beyonddesign Inc., 10 Mar. 2014, www.beyonddesign.com/industrial-design-changed-past-50-years/.
Ninecreation. “The Evolution of Industrial Design.” 9creation, 23 May 2023, www.9creation.com.sg/evolution-of-industrial-design/.