Industrial design is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to bridge the gap between art, technology and business. The major focuses on the creation of products and systems that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It combines a range of skills such as design thinking, engineering, ergonomics, materials science, manufacturing processes and marketing.
The core objectives of industrial design education are to teach students to think critically about product design from concept to manufacture. It also provides a comprehensive understanding of user needs and how they are met through product design.
Industrial designers use a variety of methods to create solutions for their clients. They may start with sketches or 3D models to explore different form factors that consider user preferences and functionality requirements.
Once the concept is finalized they can move onto computer-aided design (CAD) programs which help refine the details of their product designs. They then use prototyping techniques such as 3D printing or CNC machining to test out their ideas in real life scenarios before committing them to production.
In addition, industrial designers must also be familiar with production processes such as molding and injection molding as well as manufacturing materials like plastics, metals and composites in order to produce cost effective solutions while meeting quality standards. Industrial designers must also be aware of environmental factors such as sustainability when designing products for mass production.
Industrial design majors typically take courses in drawing, rendering, computer-aided design (CAD), product development, ergonomics, materials science and manufacturing processes among other topics related to product design. Additional classes may include marketing strategies for products and services as well as digital fabrication techniques using 3D printing or laser cutting machines.
Conclusion: The industrial design major provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing products for clients while considering user needs, production processes and environmental factors such as sustainability throughout the entire process.