Introduction to Industrial Design

In the Summer of 2006, after discussion with members of my advisory committee, it was decided that students starting out in the IDT program would greatly benefit from a course that allowed them to get a better understanding of the field of industrial design.  We accomplished this by having first-term students complete a simulated design project, including “real-world” market representatives (staff, faculty and friends), who provided guidance and feedback as the term progressed.  This promoted engagement, motivation and enthusiasm among the students, who were previously struggling with anxiety and/or apathy, and greatly increased our retention efforts.

Students completing this course are able to:

• Understand the concepts and principles for the field of Industrial Design through execution of a semester long design project.
• Understand and have gained experience effectively executing each of the steps of the design process.
• Understand and make effective use of key industrial design research methods.
• Understand and apply critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrate effectiveness in producing professional quality design presentations, including research & analysis, concept sketching, rendering & sketch models.
• Develop a basic industrial design resume and online portfolio.
• Maintain a concept sketch book.

 

---

Product and Market Research

When the term begins, students are provided with a sample of the product we will be designing.  The product is fairly simple, so that the focus of the class is on learning about the design process.  Students disassemble the product, photographing the process and parts, then research materials and manufacturing processes in order to develop an understanding of how the parts of the product are made.  From this exercise students then create a parts list, write assembly instructions and report on their research findings.

Product Disassembly Report, Chad Morgan

Students begin their market research by going to a retail store (Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc), and photographing and collecting information including price, unique features, and materials for at least ten competitor’s products.  Students deliver a report of their findings.

Product Market Research, Sarah Hauck

 

---

Continued Research and Concept Development

Once students have completed these initial tasks, they select one of the ten flashlights from their market research report and develop an ad-hoc persona for the person they believe would purchase this flashlight.

Persona Examples:

Ad-Hoc Persona, Derek Dugger
Ad-Hoc Persona, Shannon Merten

Students are then assigned to a group, where they select one persona for the group to design a new flashlight for.  After a brainstorming session, students begin sketching no less than 100 thumbnail concepts.

 

---

Concept Refinement and Market Representative Meetings

Students meet in groups to discuss their ideas, and select their five best concepts and prepare a presentation for a (volunteer) representative of their market.

Client meetings:

---

Concept Selection, Sketch Modeling and Human Factors Evaluation & Testing

During the market representative meeting, individual students determine a direction for their project and develop a revised concept sketch and a sketch model, in order to begin evaluating physical human factors considerations.  Final tweaks are made during this process.

In order for students to better grasp human factors principles such as data collection and evaluation, ergonomics and anthropometrics, students complete a knife handle design exercise, where they measure everyone’s hands in the class, then plot the data on a graph, and analyze it.  Students then design a handle around ideal dimensions and use clay and cardboard to construct a model that will fit at least 98% of their classmates.  Students finish the exercise by using a grading sheet to evaluate the models.

For markets with special needs, I incorporate an immersive design exercise, in order to have students develop a better understanding of what their customers might experience when using their product.

---

Developing a Product Brief and Visual Aids to Present to Market Representatives

Once students have developed and evaluated a sketch model of their ideas, they are then tasked with wrapping up the project for the term.

The first part of this is constructing the product brief.  They do this so late on this project because they now have some experience with the product design process and can produce a more effective document.

Students are given options for creating visual aids for their final presentation.  Hand drawn product renderings and a digital presentation based around the design brief are required, but computer-based and physical models are also encouraged.  Students receive instruction for the latter two during the final weeks of the term.

Product Brief Examples:

Patrick Hine, Product Brief
Carl Columber, Product Brief

Concept Sketches and Final Presentation Photos: