How to Choose an Industrial Design Course With the Best Learning Outcomes?

Steve Jobs once said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” That’s precisely what industrial designers do. They delve into the minute details of the design process. Not only do they consider how a product looks and feels, but also how it functions and interacts. Industrial designers are skilled professionals who blend creativity, functionality, and aesthetics to develop innovative products for mass production. They can visualize and conceptualize objects, considering factors such as usability, safety, and manufacturing processes. If you’re interested in designing and creating new things, a career in industrial design could be worth exploring. And to kickstart a career in design, completing an industrial design course is the right first step.

But before investing in an industrial design course, you deserve to know what tangible impact such a course will have on your career. Let’s find out. 

What are the Learning Outcomes From Industrial Design Courses?

Industrial design courses offer valuable learning outcomes that can prepare individuals for a successful career in this field. According to a News Report, the industrial design market is supposed to rise by 5.85% CAGR by 2025. Therefore, as the industrial design market is expected to grow significantly, acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge becomes even more crucial. 

Key learning outcomes from industrial design courses:

1. Understanding the Approach of Industrial Design and its Applications

The approach of industrial design is rooted in design thinking, which is a problem-solving methodology that emphasizes empathy, user-centeredness, and iterative processes. Industrial design or product design courses aim to familiarize students with the principles and methods of design thinking and its relevance in addressing complex challenges.

2. Sketching a Concept to Implement the Solution

Strong sketching skills to communicate one’s ideas visually is a must-have skill for an industrial designer. Courses focus on developing the ability to sketch and render concepts effectively, enabling designers to communicate their design solutions to clients, colleagues, and manufacturers.

3. Ideating and Conceptualizing Solutions

The courses encourage students to generate innovative ideas and explore various design concepts. Students learn to think creatively, brainstorm ideas, and develop design concepts that address user needs, aesthetic considerations, and functional requirements.

4. Developing a Prototype of the Concept

Prototyping is a crucial step in the design process. Industrial design courses teach students how to transform their concepts into physical or digital prototypes. Students learn various prototyping techniques and gain hands-on experience creating prototypes to test and refine their designs.

5. Identifying Opportunities to Develop a New Product

Industrial designers must identify market gaps and opportunities for new product development. Courses help students develop skills in market research, user analysis, and trend identification, enabling them to identify potential areas for product innovation.

6. Validating the Prototype of the Concept

Once a prototype is created, it needs to be tested and validated. Industrial design courses teach students how to conduct user testing and gather feedback to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of their designs. This iterative feedback loop helps refine and improve the design solution.

7. Framing a Problem to Develop a Product

Designers need to understand the problem they are trying to solve before developing a product. Industrial design courses emphasize problem framing and analysis, teaching students how to identify user needs, constraints, and design criteria to define the scope and direction of their design projects.

8. Building a Business Case to Market New Concepts

Industrial designers often work closely with marketing and business teams. The courses equip students with knowledge and skills in business strategy, market analysis, and communication, enabling them to build a strong business case for their design concepts. They learn to articulate the value proposition of their designs and present them effectively to potential stakeholders and clients. 

How Can Industrial Design Courses Help With Product Management

Industrial design courses can help with product management by providing skills in

• User-centered design
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Prototyping
• Iteration
• Understanding aesthetics
• User experience

These skills enable product managers to better understand user needs, generate innovative solutions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. They can also communicate the product vision, facilitate prototyping and iteration, and ensure the development of visually appealing and user-friendly products.

What Key Skills Can One Expect to Learn From an Industrial Design Course?

In an industrial design course, you can expect to learn a combination of hard and soft skills essential for a successful career in the field. Here are some key skills you can expect to develop:

Hard Skills

1. Sketching and Rendering

Industrial design courses focus on developing strong sketching and rendering skills. Students learn techniques to visually communicate design ideas and concepts effectively, using traditional sketching tools and digital software.

2. Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Industrial designers utilize CAD software to create precise and detailed digital models of their designs. Courses often cover the basics of CAD software and provide hands-on experience in designing and manipulating 3D models.

3. Prototyping and Model Making

Industrial design courses teach students various prototyping techniques, including 3D printing, model making, and fabrication. Students learn to transform their design concepts into physical prototypes to test and evaluate their functionality and aesthetics.

4. Materials and Manufacturing Processes

Understanding different materials and manufacturing processes are crucial for industrial designers. Courses cover topics such as materials science, manufacturing techniques, and production processes to ensure designers can create feasible and production-ready designs.

Soft Skills

1. Creative Problem-Solving

Industrial design courses foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn to approach design challenges from various angles and develop innovative solutions to meet user needs and constraints.

2. Design Thinking

Design thinking is a human-centered problem-solving approach. Industrial design courses often incorporate design thinking methodologies, helping students empathize with users, ideate solutions, prototype, and iterate on their designs.

3. Communication and Presentation

The ability to communicate effectively is vital for industrial designers. Courses emphasize verbal, written, and visual communication skills, enabling students to articulate their design concepts, present their work, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders.

4. Collaboration and Teamwork

Industrial designers often work in multidisciplinary teams. Courses encourage collaboration and teamwork, simulating real-world project scenarios and teaching students how to effectively collaborate with professionals from different backgrounds.

5. Research and Analysis

Industrial design courses introduce students to research methodologies, user analysis, trend analysis, and market research. These skills enable designers to gather insights, identify opportunities, and make informed design decisions.

What Role Does Design Thinking Play in Industrial Design Courses?

Design thinking plays a central role in industrial design courses. It is a problem-solving methodology emphasizing empathy, user-centeredness, and iterative processes. Industrial design courses incorporate design thinking principles to help students understand user needs, generate innovative ideas, prototype and test designs, and iterate based on user feedback. Design thinking enables industrial designers to approach design challenges creatively and develop functional and emotionally appealing solutions for users.

How to Determine if an Industrial Design Course Aligns With Your Career Goals?

To determine if an industrial design course aligns with your career goals, consider factors such as the curriculum, faculty expertise, industry connections, opportunities for hands-on learning, alumni success, and the institution’s reputation. Additionally, research the specific skills and knowledge taught in the course to ensure they align with your career aspirations in industrial design.

Why Emeritus Online Courses Boost Your Industrial Design Career?

Emeritus online courses can boost your industrial design career by providing convenient and accessible access to high-quality education from top institutions and industry experts. These product management courses offer specialized curricula, practical skills, and industry-relevant knowledge that can enhance your understanding of industrial design principles and practices.