Industrial design is being made in a different way than most people think. For example, they don’t start out with a drawing on paper but rather with an idea in the designer’s head. Then there are many steps before any final design is created:
A conceptual design
The first step in designing a new product is to come up with an idea. This can be done in many ways and can involve very different skill sets. For example, an industrial designer may come up with an idea while working on other projects, or they might ask people what they would like to see in a new product. The designer will then use these ideas to create something that could possibly become a reality.
It’s important to note that this isn’t always done on paper—many designers create digital versions of their concepts so that others can see how their ideas might look when implemented into real-life products (see image below).
Development of the concept (sketches, mock-ups, study models)
This step is very important in the process. It allows you to know and understand the problem better, think about how to solve it, and communicate your ideas with others before you begin working with materials or tools.
According to Adobe Substance 3D experts, “Industrial designers will work with mechanical engineers, material scientists, manufacturers, and branding strategists to bring the approved product design to life.”
An evolution of the best final version of the solution (renderings, study models)
This is the last stage in the design process. After all other approvals have been received, it’s time to create a physical model and make sure that everything fits together perfectly. This is often done using 3D printing technology or CAD software for industrial design in order to test things like weight distribution and ease of assembly before going into production.
A technical drawing that describes the object
To create a technical drawing, you must have a 2D representation of an object. The most common types of drawings are:
- Top view – A plan view (side view) from above.
- Side view – A plan view (side view) from one side or the other.
- Elevation – And isometric projection shows three dimensions. This can be created by projecting the top and side views onto each other in the same plane, with each plane representing a different height level within your model.
A model and all other information required for production (of the industrial object)
For the last step, you will need to produce a model. This is the best version of your object that can be produced by hand or with machines. For example, if you are designing a chair, this could be done using wood and nails or plastic and glue; it could also be produced in clay or wax and then reproduced in plastics — these processes are called molding processes.
As you can see, it’s a long process that involves many different stages. This is why it is recommended that you work with professionals who know exactly what they are doing and have experience working with industrial designs.