Theory and Practice of Industrial Design

Design must be understood as a word that describes both a process and an outcome. It is the process of turning ideas into material things. The word design can be used with legitimacy in many activities, the design of a sales or financial plan, the design of a new organisation, or the design of a home construction project like building shelves. Many individuals have followed a design process in the course of their everyday activities. At some level, it is a natural human ability along with the other innate capabilities such as communication and language. Industrial Design is the term used when the activity is pressed into service as a formal part of a business enterprise dedicated to creating artefacts as a part of wealth creation. Prior to industrialisation, individuals undertaking design were artisan craftsman, we might speculate on what expertise and knowledge those active in design might need in a future post industrialist age. Currently, though, the activity of industrial design is generally linked to product development in a manufacturing context. It is a factor in the following: • The creation of products that attain and reach beyond style. • The integration and application of new technology. • Activities that enhance or create new markets. • Activities that enhance and guard brands. Industrial Design is inextricably a part of innovation and it can make a contribution in the three broad categories of innovation activity: • Incremental innovation – improvement. • Variety innovation styling/restyling. • Radical innovation new capability. The conditions for effective innovation include: good cross-functional communication and understanding; a base of shared knowledge and experiences and the ability to draw on the tacit knowledge of individuals. These are also essential requirements for effective industrial design. While industrial design is a specialist activity, the role of non – designers is critically important. Managers have always had a vital role to play in ensuring the effective use of specialists and it is no different with industrial design specialists. In relation to industrial design, managers must be the integrators across all aspects of the process. They must ensure