Product design and industrial design are often conflated, but they are distinct disciplines that play unique roles in bringing products to market. For many people, the line between these concepts is still unclear or blurred.  What are these professions and are there really differences between these two fields of design? This comprehensive guide will unpack the key differences between product design and industrial design across process, expertise, objectives, and deliverables.

Definition and Scope of Product Design

Product design refers to the creation of a product that meets specific user needs and offers a seamless user experience. This involves conceptualizing, prototyping, testing, and refining a product's appearance, functionality, and usability.

Example: Consider the design of a smartphone. Product designers focus on the interface, usability, and user experience. They ensure that the device’s functionality aligns with customer needs, like easy access to apps, a smooth interface, and ergonomically designed buttons or touch features.

Definition and Scope of Industrial Design

Industrial design focuses on the aesthetic and functional aspects of mass-produced goods. It addresses not only the visual elements but also the ergonomics, materials, and manufacturing methods to create a product that appeals to consumers while being practical to manufacture.

Example: An industrial designer working on a smartphone would determine its physical shape, materials, and color schemes, ensuring that the design is not only visually appealing but also manufacturable at scale. They might decide on aluminum versus plastic casing based on durability, cost, and brand positioning.

Key Differences

• User Experience vs. Manufacturing Feasibility: Product design is user-centric, focusing on user interaction and interface, while industrial design is concerned with how the product looks and feels, including factors like ergonomics and manufacturability.

  Example: A product designer may create a smartphone interface that is intuitive and responsive, while the industrial designer would ensure the phone’s shape and material make it comfortable to hold for long periods, balancing aesthetics with practicality.

• Prototyping vs. Mass Production: Product designers often work on functional prototypes to test features and usability before moving to the production phase. Industrial designers, on the other hand, might collaborate with engineers to develop a design that can be produced efficiently and at scale.

  Example: In the automotive industry, a product designer would prototype a vehicle's user interface, such as the dashboard layout, while the industrial designer would focus on the car's overall form, lines, and materials for exterior and interior surfaces.

Overlap Between Product and Industrial Design

There is significant overlap between product and industrial design, as both disciplines must collaborate to create a cohesive product. Often, product designers will incorporate aspects of industrial design, and vice versa, to ensure the end result is functional, manufacturable, and visually appealing.

Example: A laptop design requires both fields. The product designer ensures the placement of the trackpad, keys, and ports aligns with usability. Meanwhile, the industrial designer selects materials, such as aluminum or magnesium alloy, and defines the overall shape for both aesthetics and thermal management.

Real-world Example: Tesla Model 3

• Product Design Aspect: Tesla’s Model 3 features an extremely minimalistic interior, with a focus on user interaction via a large touchscreen interface. Product designers ensured that the interface is intuitive, with all vehicle controls accessible through the screen.

• Industrial Design Aspect: The exterior of the Model 3 was crafted by industrial designers to be sleek, aerodynamic, and visually aligned with Tesla’s brand identity. The materials chosen—such as the glass roof—add to the aesthetic appeal while supporting manufacturing processes that streamline production.

Material Selection and Sustainability

Industrial designers are often tasked with selecting materials that are sustainable, durable, and cost-effective for production. As environmental concerns become more prominent, designers need to ensure that the materials used not only reduce the product's environmental footprint but also align with the company's brand and design goals.

Example: In the fashion industry, brands like Patagonia emphasize the use of recycled and sustainable materials in their products, blending both aesthetic appeal (industrial design) and eco-friendly usability (product design).

Technology Integration in Modern Design

With the rise of smart technologies and IoT, product designers are increasingly responsible for ensuring that tech integrates seamlessly into user products, while industrial designers ensure that the hardware fits aesthetically and functionally within the physical product.

Example: Wearable tech, such as the Apple Watch, exemplifies this. Product designers focus on the functionality of the watch's operating system, apps, and user interface, while industrial designers ensure the watch’s physical design is both attractive and comfortable for daily use, considering materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and leather bands.

The Role of Prototyping

Prototyping is crucial in both product and industrial design, but the focus differs. Product designers create prototypes to test usability and functionality, while industrial designers prototype to refine the form, materials, and manufacturability.

Example: A company designing kitchen appliances would have product designers create a prototype for a blender’s button layout and user interface to ensure intuitive operation. Simultaneously, industrial designers would test material options and shapes to ensure that the blender is durable, aesthetically appealing, and easy to clean.

Closing Thoughts

While this article provides an overview of the distinctions and overlaps between product design and industrial design, it only scratches the surface. It's important to note that product design extends beyond physical objects—especially in today’s digital world. Designing digital products, such as apps, websites, and software, is a rapidly growing field that requires its own set of principles and skills. This industry focuses on user interface (UI), user experience (UX), and interactive design, which adds another layer of complexity and specialization. As product design continues to evolve, so too will its intersection with other design disciplines, creating new opportunities and challenges for businesses and designers alike.

For an in-depth look at how to blend product and industrial design into a holistic product development, be sure to listen to our experts’ recent podcast episode on their unique design process: