Three Ways You Can Improve Your Design Today!

Recently, I read a blog post called, "Designing the Ideal Industrial Design Program". It's author Paul Backett, Ziba's Director touched on a variety of points regarding what's lacking in Design education today. I could go on a rant about design education but I'll spare you that and just get to the point. Many of the subjects Paul brought up that need to be addressed for up and coming design graduates also need to be reinforced in the working community. In many aspects of a person's life things you know you should do get shortcut because of a variety of external pressures. With design it's no different. People, including myself, need a refresher from time to time. So here are just a couple things you can do to improve your design practice and have fun doing it.

1. Build something yourself!
In the words of Richard Sennett, "The large issue here is that simulation can be a poor substitute for tactile experience." What is being suggested is that hands-off design disables a certain type of relational understanding. In a design world now dominated by CAD packages, 3D Renderings and offshore manufacturing it's difficult to get hands-on. To experience how a tool reacts to wood, how parts interact with each other or seeing realistic spacial relationships are essential. When it comes to design or artistic endeavors in general the head and hand cannot be separate. So take the time to get out from behind that desk and create something physical. You don't have to be a craftsman or a master welder either! All you need is some foam core, hot glue and a sharp knife. Test your designs in a quarter scale model before committing. I promise it will be fun, rewarding and educational.

"When the head and hand are separate, it is the head that suffers!"

Harvey Card / What If? Card

2. Challenge your own completed design.

Just when you think you are finished ask yourself, "What can I do to make this design even better?". These are not just words pounded into my subconscious by former professors but words I don't personally use enough. Today's pressures in product development can force you to make concessions just for the sake of getting it done but you owe it to yourself to fight those impulses. Take time and ask yourself questions such as, "What if I make it bigger?", "What if I change the color?".

A fun way to do this is with Harvey Cards a.k.a. What If? cards. These cards are a fun and simple way to challenge yourself brought to you by Core77 Industrial Design Website. They have been around for more than a decade and I'm sure used by millions of creatives the world over. Simply cut them out, shuffle them up and pull a card. Try to apply what it says to your concept. Harvey Cards can be downloaded here.

3. Reinvent your design identity.

Chances are whether you are just starting out or have been in the game awhile people have already slotted you creatively. "Oh, Brett is master at metalwork, he's your guy." or "There is no one better at color trending than Angela." and "No, he's a modern designer, he can't do traditional." Real or perceived you have either created for yourself an identity or your peers have done it for you. BREAK IT NOW!! If the identity is real try stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. If it's perceived, show your peers something they haven't seen from you before. Designers have to evolve and innovate in the same way their products do. Otherwise, they like their creations will be replaced by the newer, shinier model that has more features.