Industrial design is the process by which products are designed and created for manufacture through mass production. The method places particular emphasis on improving products by optimizing form, function, aesthetics, and structure for the benefit of end users and manufacturers.

An industrial designer isn't typically responsible for the universal design of complex products. They are more commonly charged with improving technical aspects of an overall design and enhancing usability or attractiveness of a product. When seeking the services of an industrial designer for specific elements within a broader project, hiring a freelancer is a recommended option.

Guided by the overarching requirements of a client, and with a focus on the product, end user, and environment, interior designers employ specific techniques to enhance designs, such as analysis and synthesis of data. While graphic designers are entirely focused on physical design appearance, industrial designers are equally concerned with convenience, usability, ergonomics, safety, technical limitations, manufacturing replicability and automation. They also must consider regulatory requirements.

The origins of industrial design linked to the increase in industrial manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution during the mid-18th century in Britain. This key event shaped the way objects were made, diversified markets and consumption patterns. The earliest use of the term industrial design is linked to the Journal of Fine Arts in 1839, although designer Joseph Claude Sinel is often attributed to the preliminary use of the term much later in 1919, a claim he vehemently denies.

Industrial design is often considered purely a creative process. In reality, the discipline involves a strong analytics component and integration of complex design metrologies.

The industrial design process commonly includes following stages:

Research

Sketching

Comparative product research

Modelling

Prototyping

Testing

Modern Industrial designers need to be highly skilled in the use of 3D software. Computer-aided industrial design applications and CAD programs are integral in concept development through to product realization. Popular programs designers are typically experienced in include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and 3D, Solidworks 2016 and Alias.

Industrial designers typically possess a degree in industrial design such as a Bachelor of Industrial Design (BID), although alternatively, they hold a Bachelor of Science or Fine Arts, achieved over 4 or 5 years of study. Post graduate qualifications in Fine Arts, Science, or Design are also common attributes of skilled industrial designers.

Finding a professional, highly trained industrial designer can be challenging. Particularly if searching for skills in a particular niche, and a creative eye that reflects the preferences of your business. The consequences of hiring the wrong person can be damaging, high costs and poor design delivery are recurrent issues.

For instant access to hundreds of industrial design experts locally or throughout the globe, look no further than Freelancer.com. Post a project (with a detailed description of the work to be done) and watch as it attracts the attention of scores of freelancers, all with the appropriate skills to complete your industrial design project. Have someone in mind? Browse their individual portfolio and hire them directly. If not, you can browse the individual portfolios of all our freelancers. Find the perfect freelancer for your project today!