Industrial design

If we take a look around us, we can see that the whole stage, wherever you are, is full of objects, utensils, tools, textures, materials etc. All these objects are designed in a certain way and fulfill a certain function. In this post we are going to introduce you this time into the world of industrial design, a world that is part of the design sector and also, we will show you some examples of the best results or those that have been recognized for their excellent work.

If you have ever thought what steps and methods the most expert have had to follow, so that a certain object fulfills its functions, it is time for us to give you all the answers.

Are you ready?

Industrial design

Industrial design is another of the branches of design that is responsible for the development and manufacture of objects and utensils, which are manufactured in series and which meet a series of characteristics. They are usually objects functional, that is, they are designed to optimally fulfill a certain function.

So that you understand it better, industrial design is linked to decoration, design and architecture. Unlike graphic designers, industrial designers need to work with invention professionals and improvement of objects to increase well-being in people's lives. He is also usually in constant contact with the marketing. So together they try to find the most beneficial opportunities and factors in order to promote the product in the best way and to reach as many people as possible.

An industrial designer, therefore, is a wise connoisseur of each and every one of the materials with which he is going to work. Since with them, you will later carry out a production of the object. The entire work process is quite long and it is impossible to do it without the help of second or third parties.

What do you do

Mainly, an industrial designer, fulfills the function of perform and supervise the design of a product. It also assumes the role of  coordinate to the team members participating in the project. The industrial designer must ensure that the process is not too complex and that all necessary steps are followed to avoid confusion.

Typically, they work with software, print media, or other materials, and all of this adds to their tight deadlines or tight budgets. Therefore, it is usually a quick job, where you have to have an advance thought, since you must also think about what the client wants and what can be adjusted.

The phases to follow

An industrial designer must carry out a series of phases to complete the work in a way that, the result, comes to be considered perfect. This phase begins with an investigation, a discovery, a design etc.

There are a total of four phases; conceptualization, pre-production, production and post-production.

Conceptualization Phase

Before creating the project and starting to sketch the close-ups, it is necessary to go through an idea filter. This filter of ideas is known as conceptualization. It is the phase where the designer focuses on the first concepts that will bring him closer to the first ideas. In this phase it is necessary to have a clear and concise vision of the product.

It is one of the most creative phases since it is focused on the elaboration of what can become but not yet, therefore, it requires months of research, brainstorming, sketches and tests of various materials to ensure that the final product be attractive and useful to consumers.

Pre-production phase

In this phase, the designer has already obtained the first ideas and has produced them in the form of sketches. These sketches should be chosen and discarded at your discretion. It is one of the phases in which you also begin to investigate the market situation, competitors and / or customers of a company. What's more, the designer will prepare the final sketches for possible solutions at this stage.

Production phase

It is the optimal phase for the project, since here the designer must present the first results or ideas. These ideas are represented in the form of sketches, drawings or CAD models. Once these ideas have been generated, the first prototypes are prepared, that is, the first models or simulations where the public can bet on it and finally decide if it is useful or not.

Post-production phase

It includes the last phase of development, in this phase, it is important that the industrial designer can have an idea of ​​how his product should look before starting to manufacture it. This is where you only start working with the model, that is, there are changes in color, texture, shape, size and material. In addition, the designer has a very short period of time to be able to make these changes in a timely manner.

In short, as we have seen, an industrial designer needs a series of phases in order to develop his work. Without these phases, the process would have to be started again and there would never be such a close result. Currently, graphic designers also use these methods, especially those who are dedicated to the world of branding and corporate identity design. The same happens with those who choose to design packaging or even those who dedicate themselves to editorial design.

Next, we will show you some of the best examples of industrial design and by the hand of those who execute it.

Examples of industrial design

Some of the examples that we are going to show you below are designers who have worked for major brands and who, thanks to their enormous work, have been recognized worldwide in the design sector.

Jonathan Ive

Jonathan Ive, is one of the product designers best known for his work at Apple. Jony, as he is known in business circles, joined the Apple team in 1962, eventually becoming ultimately responsible for the design of its products.

Until 2019, the Briton was responsible for the design of both the brand's products and interfaces, and collaborated on many well-known products such as MacBook Pro, iMac, or iPhone.

The material of his designs are made of his characteristic metal and his design has reached the attraction of all over the world. That is why, today, Apple products and designs are recognized around the world.

Can you imagine working for a brand as big as Apple? Incredible true?.

Philippe Starck

Philippe is a world renowned industrial designer, he went viral after designing and making a very peculiar juicer called Juicy Salif. He is a well-known defender of the so-called democratic design and his work covers very diverse disciplines.

For this designer, functionality is the main characteristic of any object, and following this principle he has created such popular and used objects as, for example, the Miss Trip chair for Kartell, the Volteis electric car, the Richard III chair, or telephones. mobile phones Xiaomi Mi MIX, Mi MIX 2 and the 2S.

If you take a look at their projects, you will realize that it works and is based on the functionality that certain objects can offer.

Marcel Breuer

Marcel, is well known for being one of the main founders of the Bauhaus school. This Hungarian designer is an icon of modern design in architecture and furniture.

His work resulted in some examples that today are considered great works, such as the Cleveland Museum of Art or the famous Wassily chair.

As we have been able to appreciate, his fanaticism for real estate has reached the highest peak of fame, in the design sector.

Arne Jacobsen

He is one of the most legendary industrial designers. Without a doubt, it is one of the most outstanding of the s. XX, whose two of his main contributions were the Egg Chair, the Swan chair and aarhus town hall, his most representative architectural project.

Despite the years that have passed, Jacobsen's creations are still considered futuristic and classic at the same time. It should also be noted, that his work has powerfully influenced the well-known Nordic design.

In short, if you are looking for modernity and classicism, the designs of this man appear.

Mark Newson

Finally, we find the famous Mark Newson, this Australian designer, developed his work in the aeronautical sector, applying geometric and smooth lines, while providing strength and sobriety.

His most outstanding contributions were, among others, the following:

MN bikes for Biomega, Trek Art LiveStrong bike used by Lance Armstrong, Ford 021C prototype for the car company, Quantas International Skybed I first class seat (angled flat bed), hands down, each of these designers, they have changed our lives thanks to all their designs.

Conclusion

In short, currently, the world of design is increasingly in demand, this opens more doors to new changes.

Do you dare to be the next?