What is industrial design and why is it important?

Industrial design is a multifaceted field focused on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-centric products, systems, and environments. It combines elements of engineering, materials science, ergonomics, and aesthetics to design products that meet the needs and preferences of users effectively.

The importance of industrial design lies in several key aspects:

  • Enhanced User Experience: Industrial designers prioritize the needs and preferences of users, resulting in products that are more user-friendly, comfortable, and efficient. This focus on usability enhances the overall user experience and satisfaction.
  • Competitive Advantage: Well-designed products differentiate companies from their competitors in the marketplace. Industrial designers create visually distinctive and aesthetically pleasing products that attract customers and strengthen brand identity, giving companies a competitive edge.
  • Sustainability: Industrial design plays a crucial role in sustainability by creating products that are durable, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Designers incorporate principles of sustainability into product development, helping to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize environmental impact.
  • Social Impact: Industrial design has a broader societal impact by improving people’s lives and addressing social and economic challenges. By creating products that solve problems and meet essential needs, industrial designers contribute to the betterment of society and enhance quality of life.

How does industrial design differ from other design fields

Industrial design differs from other design fields in several key aspects, primarily in its focus, scope, and objectives.

Firstly, industrial design is specifically focused on the creation of products, systems, and environments that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-centric. Unlike graphic design or interior design, which may focus on visual communication or spatial arrangement, industrial design deals with physical objects and tangible solutions to meet user needs.

Secondly, industrial design has a broader scope that encompasses various disciplines such as engineering, materials science, ergonomics, and aesthetics. Designers in this field must possess a multidisciplinary skill set to address technical, ergonomic, and aesthetic considerations in product development. In contrast, graphic design or fashion design may have a narrower focus on visual communication or apparel design, respectively.

Thirdly, the objectives of industrial design often include improving usability, enhancing user experience, and solving real-world problems. Industrial designers prioritize functionality, usability, and user satisfaction in their designs, aiming to create products that meet specific needs and preferences. Other design fields may prioritize different objectives, such as visual appeal, brand communication, or artistic expression.

Overall, industrial design stands apart from other design fields due to its focus on physical products, multidisciplinary approach, and emphasis on usability and user-centric design principles. It plays a crucial role in product innovation, enhancing user experience, and addressing real-world challenges through creative and practical design solutions.

Key principles of industrial design

In order to produce functional, visually beautiful, and user-centered products, industrial designers adhere to a set of rules and criteria known as the key principles of industrial design. These are some prevalent principles, albeit there isn’t a single, comprehensive list:

  • Functionality: Industrial design is primarily concerned with creating products that are useful and functional. The design should meet the needs and requirements of the user and perform its intended task efficiently.
  • Aesthetics: Design should be visually pleasing and attractive. This includes considerations such as color, form, and texture.
  • Usability: It should be easy to use and understand, with intuitive controls and clear feedback.
  • Ergonomics: The design should be comfortable and safe to use, taking into account the physical dimensions and capabilities of the user.
  • Sustainability: The industrial design should be environmentally responsible, taking into account factors such as material selection, energy use, and end-of-life disposal.
  • Innovation: It should incorporate new and innovative ideas, technologies, and materials.
  • Manufacturability: The design should be cost-effective and feasible to produce on a large scale.
  • Branding: It should reflect the brand identity and values of the company or product.
  • User-centered design: This design should be based on a deep understanding of the user’s needs, preferences, and behavior.
  • Design for diversity: The industrial design should take into account the diverse needs and abilities of different users, including those with disabilities or special needs.

Filing requirements of a Design in Bangladesh

  • The candidate’s name and address
  • Representation: Four identical representations of the article, each clearly displaying the design’s elements from various angles and identifying the viewpoints, must be submitted with the application on the specified form. Where appropriate, the representation may include a drawing, a photo, or actual design samples.
  • Declaration of Novelty: The applicant must include a succinct description of the novelty for which he or she is seeking protection in addition to the application and each of the statements. This can be done at the moment the application is submitted or at any point before registration is actually put into action.
  • Endorsement of disclaimers: The statement of innovation will include a disclaimer stating that no ownership of any mechanism, letters, words, numbers, or other symbols, including trademarks, is claimed.
  • Products Classification: For the purposes of industrial design registration, the goods to which the design will be applied are separated into fourteen classes.
  • POA: In Bangladesh, the original POA (Power of Authority by Applicant) must be submitted within one month of the filing of the patent application.
  • Priority: Bangladesh has a mechanism for priority application. Regarding this, the applicant for registration of an industrial design who wishes to take advantage of the priority of an earlier application filed in a convention country shall, within six months of the date of such earlier application, append to his application a written declaration indicating the date and number of the earlier application, the applicant’s name, and the country in which he or his predecessor in title filed such application, and shall, within a period. In the event that the priority document is not in English, it must be verified or notarized in English.