Intro to Industrial Design Methods

Instructors

• Gregory James Holderfield

Meeting Info

• Ford Eng Design Cntr G-201 - Th 9:00AM - 12:00PM

Overview of class

• The intention of this course is to introduce the student to the power of design as a differentiator in the marketplace. The one thing we know is that change is constant. Consumer culture and values evolve, business conditions change, and new technologies develop. More often than not the influence of human centered design and strategic design thinking is leading the charge in meaningful innovation that both consumers and businesses find relevant. Successful organizations innovate, through deep understandings of their customer, in order to stay relevant to their constituencies and competitive in the market.
  
  So while product development is critical to the success of business, it is only successful when done in a highly collaborative manner. Thus design engineers and industrial designers often find themselves working side by side in the product development process. The engineers apply their expert knowledge in technologies, mathematical analysis, materials, etc., while the industrial designers look closely at the user experience, human emotion and the embodiment of technology.
  
  This course will augment the design engineer background and will explore the process of product development from an industrial design perspective.

Learning Objectives

• Through readings, discussion, and a variety of activities and assignments, students will:
  1) Develop an understanding of human factors, aesthetics, and product semantics and pragmatics and how these factors affect a product's success in the market.
  2) Explore an array of design research methods and use some of these methods to develop product concepts.
  3) Learn how to use sketching and building mockups to formulate, communicate and test concepts.

Teaching Method

• This course will be highly interactive with real world examples and case studies, lectures, class discussions and storytelling, along with hands on design thinking exercises and assignments.

Evaluation Method

• Class discussion and team contribution: 10%
  Verbal and visual presentation: 10%
  Team projects: 20%
  Individual projects: 20%
  Final project: 40%

Class Materials (Required)

• 1. Rapid Viz: A New Method for Rapid Visualization of Ideas
  by Kurt Hanks and Larry Belliston, Crisp Publications, Inc. 1990.
  
  2. Universal Principles of Design
  by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler, Rockport Publishers, Inc. 2010.
  
  3. Design Research Methods and Perspectives
  edited by Brenda Laurel (MIT Press 2003)
  
  1 sketch book
  11" x 14"
  Premium Recycled or Windpower Sketch
  
  2 pads of tracing paper
  11" x 14"
  
  Markers: Prisma or Blick Studio. Colors: Black, and Basic Grays in 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Class Materials (Suggested)

• Carrying case for pens, markers, etc.

Current as of 05/03/13 12:43:59 PM

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