I'm an industrial designer. Sorry, what is that?

When I introduce myself to someone new as an industrial designer, I usually get a confused look.

Only when I'm talking to someone who's working in the field of design, like an architect or graphic designer, I don't have to explain more. I guess it is just the way it is in many fields, that just the title itself does not ring a bell for everyone. (For example, what is a Director Of Fun?) For the ones who are wondering what an industrial designer does, I'll explain it here by answering a couple of questions you might have about it.

Image 2. The folding knife I designed for Bergkvist

• So, could you tell a bit more about what an industrial designer does during a workday?

An industrial designer conceives products, taking into account the needs and wishes of end users and clients. Among these needs and wishes are proper functioning, ease of use, as well as selecting materials, considering looks and ergonomics, sustainability and manufacturability. Usual tasks include research, sketching, problem solving, 3D modeling, and preparing files for prototyping and manufacturing. Collaborating with multiple stakeholders is often part of the work too, which requires an industrial designer to be a team player.

• Is industrial design just styling?

No, industrial design is more than styling. It's not only about creating aesthetically appealing shapes, but about shapes that make up functional products that can be mass produced too. For some types of products there is more focus on styling than for others, and I think this Raymond Loewy quote is still legitimate: “Between two products equal in price, function and quality, the one with the most attractive exterior will win.”

Image 3. A smart thermometer enclosure I designed for FireBoard Labs

What are some products you designed?

An example of a product that I designed for a client is a folding knife (see image 2) . My client wanted to produce a unique foldable knife that stands out in the market. I first analyzed and discussed the brief (including market research results) extensively with my client and then created drawings of multiple options of what the product could look like. My client then chose a favorite design to develop further. I went on to create a 3D model, making sure the knife would be suitable for mass production. The manufacturer created prototypes and collaboratively, we optimized the product in order to get to the best version of it, keeping into account the ergonomics, looks, and manufacturing costs. You can find out more about the folding knife here.

Another product that I helped a client with is a smart food thermometer (shown in image 3). My client developed the electronics in-house and needed assistance creating the enclosure around it. It is actually the 2.0 version of a product that the brand was already successfully producing and selling. I helped with the design, from initial drawings until providing files that were used for prototyping and manufacturing. The design project involved the usual aspects of function, looks, and manufacturability. If you're interested, you can read more about this project here.
 

Image 4. A jewelry box I designed for Forever Cube

Why would you need an industrial designer? Can't manufacturers come up with a design?

Manufacturers surely know what they can produce and what would be the most cost effective option, but they generally require specific input, which a designer can provide. Industrial designers also help with the holistic view that takes into account the perceived value of the product, as well as the aforementioned aspects like ergonomics.

I want to (re)design my product. Can you help?
 
If you have a specific idea for a redesign or a new product, you can write a short message about it here and I'll be in touch to discuss your project.