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Art and Design
What is Industrial Design?
If you are designing a product, you have to ask yourself these questions:
- Does someone want this product?
- Will customers like the look of it?
- Is it made out of appropriate materials?
- Is it easy (and economic) to manufacture?
- Will it do the job it�s meant to do, and do it well?
- Will it be made to last and be reliable?
- Will it be safe and comfortable to use?
- Will it be easy to clean and repair?
- Are the materials environmentally friendly?
Designers who can answer yes to all these questions can do a lot to help our quality of life and this country�s economy - especially if their product will sell overseas too. Of course, much depends on the manufacturer being able to meet production and distribution targets. There is a lot of job satisfaction for a successful designer - seeing something you have designed being sold in the shops and used by people in everyday life.
The design process normally starts with the designer discussing what is wanted with the people who are going to be making, selling and using the product. They may need an entirely new product or just a new design of an existing product. Designers then sketch design proposals, sometimes making models and test rigs to check that their ideas work. When the design principles are agreed, the designer works with others on the production prototypes and engi�neering drawings (now often done with computers), which are the instructions for those who make the product. Industrial designers know about manufacturing, materials, costs, marketing and engineering principles, as well as having a talent for design.
QUALIFICATIONS
Most industrial designers will have qualifications at BTEC Higher National or degree level. There may be supporting jobs for people with BTEC National or Advanced GNVQ qualifica�tions. Suitable courses at degree or BTEC National and Higher National level may be called industrial design, product design, applied design, three-dimensional design or engineering design. Some aspects of graphic design, such as packaging, can overlap with product or industrial design.
Industrial design courses are usually a mixture of art and technology. Product design courses can include craft skills in jewellery, pottery and glass or furniture, so are often craft-based rather than technology-based - but they do vary, so check details of individual course content. Three-dimensional design courses cover product, industrial and interior design courses, but students usually specialized in one particular area.
Industrial design (engineering) courses are more technology based and usually need a basic grounding in math�s and science. Engineering design courses require scientific qualifications.
GETTING STARTED
There are two main routes to a career in product or industrial design - the BTEC Higher National Diploma route and the degree route.
To study for a BTEC HND, you first need a BTEC National Diploma or Advanced GNVQ in art and design. For these courses, students normally need three/four GCSEs at grade C, a BTEC First Certificate or an Intermediate GNVQ. Many col�leges offer preliminary or pre-foundation courses for students who have not reached this standard. One relevant A level (with another subject studied to A level) can also provide entry to a BTEC Higher National Diploma course. To follow the degree route, students will normally do a one� year art and design foundation course at a local college and fol�low this with a three four-year specialist degree course. Direct entry home school to a degree-level industrial design course is possible with a good portfolio of work, but you will probably need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C and at least one A level to get onto a degree course. A BTEC National Diploma or Advanced GNVQ in art and design may also be acceptable.
Model Making
Model makers work with industrial designers to illustrate their designs. Their work must be extremely accurate, often done to meet a deadline, and presented attractively enough to influence clients. A few model making firms still take apprentices or trainees, but model making can be studied either as a subject on its own (although such courses are Higher National or degree level course.
Adults may find they can be accepted on to further and higher education courses without the normal academic entry qualifica�tions. Another subject studied to A level) can also provide entry to a BTEC Higher National Diploma course.
To follow the degree route, students will normally do a one year art and design foundation course at a local college and fol�low this with a three/four-year specialist degree course. Direct entry in school to a degree-level industrial design course is possible with a good portfolio of work, but you will probably need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C and at least one A level to get onto a degree course. A BTEC National Diploma or Advanced GNVQ in art and design may also be acceptable.
