Born in the late 19th century by industrialists who wanted to stand out from the competitors by improving the functionalities and aesthetics of their products, industrial design has become, even more today, a must. What are the contributions of a Michel Dallaire to the company? What does this profession involve each day? How is it to be achieved?
Benefits and development of industrial design
According to a study conducted by an association of designers, companies that use industrial design – “a creative activity whose goal is to present multiple facets of the quality of objects, processes, services and systems in which they are incorporated during their life cycle”, according to the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design – seek to increase the distinctiveness of their products (21%), to be more creative in their design methods (16%), to incorporate technical innovations (14%), to meet market requirements (13%) or to improve their brand image (9%). The conclusion is that the designer’s contribution is beneficial in many respects: increased creativity, diversification of the range of products, increase in turnover and exports, development of the quality culture… This market, driven by Quebec (45,650 design workers in the Belle Province out of 120,000 in Canada in 2011) is growing steadily and the trend in the coming years should be to increase with new challenges related to the environment (importance of choice of materials, integration of recycling and reuse concepts) and the ageing of the population (improved handling of goods to increase the independence and dignity of elderly persons).
The profession of industrial designer
Curious by nature, endowed with artistic knowledge, mastering graphic design software and willing to work in a team, the industrial designer will exercise this profession in a variety of practices. First of all, in a company (industrial design firm, engineering consulting company, architectural firm) where he will often have to adjust to meet the product’s profitability constraints; then, as a consultant where he will have more autonomy and his work will be guided more by the design than by the product’s profitability; finally, as a design producer where independence and versatility will be assets to manage both the product’s design and development, and its manufacture and marketing. In any case, the industrial designer will assume a variety of functions such as carrying out customer needs surveys; defining a functional and design specification; researching trends, materials and production methods; writing design proposals; creation of 3D models and prototypes; transferring information from the production and sales departments; facilitating product presentations (customer, design committee, development team). But before getting there, he must have the minimum training required, being an undergraduate university degree (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec) or a Master’s degree (Alberta, Ontario, Quebec) or else a doctorate (Alberta, Quebec) in industrial design, environmental design or mechanical engineering.
Less known than some other professions in the company, the industrial designer is no less essential: cost reduction, increased value added, bringing a long-term vision, integration of environmental and human factors… These benefits are such that the government of Quebec encourages businesses in the province to use industrial design as a strategic tool for economic development.