- How does ID differ from Engineering?
- Isn't ID just styling?
- What are typical things that ID focusses on?
- What sort of companies do Industrial designers work for?
- What does the description ‘Industrial’ refer to in Industrial design?
- If I have an idea, can I patent it?
- If I have an idea, how can an Industrial designer help me?
- Do I need to use an Industrial designer if I want to develop my idea?
- Is it safe to tell my innovative idea to an Industrial designer?
- Who owns the idea?
- How can an Industrial designer from outside my field address the issues?
- Can I introduce ID into my project development gradually?
- What should my expectations of ID be?
Q - How does ID differ from Engineering?
A - Although these two professions are often
grouped together, they are, in fact, quite distinct from each
other. Industrial design is a process that seeks to resolve the
visual, usability and production issues of a product while engineering
is a process that seeks to resolve the functionality issues of that
product. Both require a thorough understanding of technological
processes in order to achieve their goals, however each provides a
unique, and necessary, perspective on the product development process.
Q - Isn't ID just styling?
A - It is often mis-understood that industrial
design simply produces a 'fashionable' product of short
life-span. However, the ID process is one of objective problem
finding, followed by innovative problem resolution. Industrial
design assesses the desirability of a product in terms of its
marketability, and form is just one aspect of this. As you may
know, you can not have a product "suitable for sale" without
considering its marketability.
Q - What are typical things that ID focusses on?
A - Usually Industrial designers are concerned with
products; Industrial, commercial or retail goods that are produced in
medium to large quantities. Such products usually solve a basic
problem, but also carry with them inherent factors that require
addressed at the time of design. Low quantity and one-off design is
more often refered to as art, or the work of a craftsman rather than an
Industrial designer.
Q - What sort of companies do Industrial designers work for?
A - Industrial designers often work within
dedicated design consultancies, similar to Architects where clients
dictate what they want to achieve. The designer goes to work to produce
solutions and concepts that are periodically reviewed and directed by
the client.
Industrial designers commonly work for manufacturing
companies that have one or many product lines, solving production
problems and resolving appearance and functionality issues.
It is
also fairly common for Industrial designers to work as freelancers,
generating visual and functional concepts for ideas that come from
companies or individuals.
Q - What does the description ‘Industrial’ refer to in Industrial design?
A - It refers to the industrial processes used in
the high-quantity, moderated quality manufacture of a simple or complex
product. This is synonymous with the increased production abilities
resulting from the industrial revolution.
Q - If I have an idea, can I patent it?
A - An idea belongs to you while it remains in your
mind – it is your Intellectual Property or IP. Patents,
copyright, or registered designs are different ways of legally
protecting you from other people using your idea to make money
(particularly after you have begun to exploit –or make money with - the
idea). If your idea is both new and innovative, then it can be
protected. Even then, the idea itself will determine which instrument
should be used to protect it.
For more information, refer to the IP Australia website.
Q - If I have an idea, how can an Industrial designer help me?
A - Industrial design does not only consider the
product itself. A product has issues to consider before it reaches the
eyes of the user, issues that are important after the product has been
used a few times, and issues regarding the life of the product after
the user has no more use for it.
At the end of the day, an
Industrial designer will endeavor to increase the number of people that
will pay money for your idea, while increasing your profit after
everyone (that made your idea happen) is paid.
Q - Do I need to use an Industrial designer if I want to develop my idea?
A - No. If you were to develop your idea yourself,
you would need to spend a lot of time learning the following factors
before applying them to your idea: You would need to look at safety
problems that your idea may create. There are legal protection issues
that will surround your idea. There could be regulations and standards
that govern how your idea looks or works. There are marketing issues
that will need to be addressed. Transport and storage may be important
factors. Cost and methods of manufacture would probably be the biggest
consideration of all. You would then need to factor all these things
into the picture before deciding on the form and the functionality of
your product.
All of these things and more are what an Industrial
designer is qualified to address. Even though not legally required, you
would be investing in your own profits by using an Industrial designer
in your research and development.
Q - Is it safe to tell my innovative idea to an Industrial designer?
A - Yes, in most cases. Industrial design is a
profession in a social system that encourages a professional code of
practice. That said, there are legally enforceable documents called
Non-Disclosure Agreements, which most designers regularly use
themselves when discussing IP (Intellectual Property) with other
people.
As an aside, Industrial designers will not usually exploit
your idea for themselves, as they (more than most) realise the
tremendous time and financial commitments in turning an idea into a
marketable product.
Q - Who owns the idea?
A - Professional practice dictates that the
ownership of patents or design resides with the client in the same way
as for any other profesion. Authorship of any design
documentation remains that of the consultant. But we strongly
encourage you to consult a solicitor or pattent attourney with regard
to all intellectual property issues.
Q - How can an Industrial designer from outside my field address the issues surrounding my product?
A - Whatever the industry, the benefits of the
industrial design process remain the same. Industrial designers
become experts in a field and it’s associated technology through prior
knowledge and research. It is the industrial design process, in
cunjunction with your experience, along with that of the other members
of a development team that generates results.
Q - Can I introduce ID into my project development gradually, or is the change sudden?
A - The simplest way to introduce Industrial design
into your product development program is to enlist the help of an
industrial design consultant at the very beginning of single project,
and monitor the results. Remember that ID is a complete process,
and so, should be implimented early to reap the full benefits.
Employing a consultant is an excellent method of establishing a clear
understanding of obligations and responsibilities in the
client/designer relationship. As your understanding of the ID
profession grows, along with the need to establish a more permanent
relationship, then you can begin to look at a full-time permanent
position.
Q - What should my expectations of ID be?
This is very much dependant on the individual project; client /
designer relationship, and the obligations / responsibilities as set
down in the contractual agreement between both parties. However,
the sorts of questions a prospective client should ask when discussing
a project with an industrial design consultant should include the
following
- Who will be involved in the decision making process?
- Who shall handle issues such as safety or meeting Australian standards?
- Who will organise and over-see the manufacturing of a product?
- How will the consultant interact with my marketing and sales team?
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