Industrial design

The service product design, and industrial design ( engl: Industrial Design) called, is concerned with the design of serial and / or industrial products.

In general, this two work areas can be distinguished: The figures of consumer goods and the forms of capital goods. As a result, the division of labor, the designer often works in an interdisciplinary team, his responsibilities include, depending on the field of the form-finding, for example, in terms of formal coherence, the production justice or the needs of a target group.

The designer is not a designer of unique items, but products that are manufactured in a serial (mass ) production.

• 2.1 Design Process

Work areas

Consumer

Among the range of consumer products for personal use are summarized:

• Household appliances (coffee makers, blenders, washing machines, lawn mowers, electric shavers, lighting, etc. )
• Tools
• Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, rail )
• Furniture, furniture design, see
• Built-in kitchens
• Glow
• Toys, Outdoor Play Equipment design

Capital goods

• Production machines ( sawing, milling, etc. )
• Electronic devices for industrial use (for example, measuring devices)
• Medical
• (Useful) vehicles (trucks, buses, tractors, forklifts, pallet trucks, rail cars, etc. ), see Transportation Design

The design of products

The design of products, the product design is, in principle, take place as part of the development of these products. The degree of design freedom that opens up the possibility for a form-finding is very much dependent on the type of product.

The tasks of a designer to shape discovery focus on highly technical products to their function, so this usually is only responsible for one engineer. Likewise, a decorative vase can rarely be a field of activity, because this task primarily aimed at artists. The industrial design is becoming increasingly by the market research, rather than earlier primarily by technical factors, the market research is not always capable of future scenarios comprehensively generate, which is very important in long product development times.

Design process

The process involves beginning definition of a goal or a task. Depending on this task concepts are developed, made ​​sketches for the design and shape, developed the first designs as models ( in full-size or scale model), or also often built only as a virtual model in the computer, one of which then views are computed.

Depending on the project, the resonance can be tested by means of market research. After the shape determination is completed, the structure is completed as a CAD model. Here are technical knowledge, as taught in the Vocational Technical signatory of great advantage. The implementation of the idea to the technical design is now often place entirely in the computer. Models can then be created in almost any intermediate step of the 3D printer.

On the basis of initial ideas, sketches and drawings of the designer visualize variations and details about the product. This original creative process is also carried out with otherwise extensive use of the computer mostly by hand. Often the first sketches are however then been scanned and digitally processed using image processing for more variants.

Analysis aspects

A design product can be distinguished and analyzed according to their functions:

Functionality, ergonomics, safety, serviceability ( usability ), ease of use, maintenance and care

The concept of product design

Industrial design, product design and product design are synonymous. Departments at colleges and universities wear appropriate name and awarded after studying the diploma (or Bachelor / Master) " Master Designer" or "Diplom Designer ( FH) ".

The term product design is not protected. The introduction of a training profession called " Technical Product Designer" therefore easily lead astray. This corresponds largely to the present occupation of technical draftsman and has " Machinery & Anlagenkostruktion " nothing to do in the field of the creative activity of the product designer. This image transfer has been criticized by design associations, who fear a confusion between product designers and technical product designer.

The profession of industrial designer

The field of work of the industrial designer has changed significantly in recent years. Two tendencies carry significantly this change. A severely shortened survival time of products in strongly made ​​dynamic markets, particularly in the consumer but also in the capital goods sector generally leads to a greater importance of marketing and product development and design strategies in particular.

This change will successfully meet if it is possible to equip designers with appropriate technical, analytical and theoretical knowledge and position in the market the design. The focus of the work is the design, conception and design of products. Modern technology, innovative design and the experience value for the people are the core issues of the profession. Industrial designers working today also reinforced at interfaces with other disciplines. The combination of basic skills with a scientifically based strategy and process skills are now essential.

Associations

• VDID - Association of German Industrial Designers
• DDV - German association of designers
• Design Council