Industrial designers use a variety of materials to develop innovative concepts, choosing materials based on the project and objective. Metals may be used to reinforce designs, but other materials like plastic or wood can be the main component. Materials are also chosen based on the intended use of the product, such as using safe materials for children’s toys.
Industrial design is a field that encompasses the application of both a creative bent and a comprehensive understanding of technical principles towards the goal of developing innovative concepts. To properly express these skills and fully allow concepts to come to life, industrial designers must use a wide variety of materials. The types of industrial design materials to be applied in developing a concept will be based on the particular type of project that material will be used for. To that end, if the concept is for creating some type of food processor, the materials that will be used for this particular project will include a blend of plastic, aluminum, steel, and any other material required by the design of the object. The types of industrial design materials to be used in a project are also linked to the objective of the designer; if the goal is to produce an affordable item, inexpensive materials such as rubber, recycled plastics and ceramics will be considered.
An inclusion in industrial design materials would be different types of metals that will be applied to any type of design concept that calls for such materials. Metals may not be the only material that will be applied to the design and can only be used as a means of reinforcing the design rather than a major component. For example, metals can be used to make special types of screws that are unique to the project; in this sense the screws only serve to hold the joints together, while other materials such as wood or plastic can be the main material. In other cases, metal may be the primary material which will be a recurring theme throughout the design project, while other materials may be used minimally. For example, if the design is for a type of heavy-duty armored door that can withstand pressure, the main material may be some type of metal, and other materials may be completely limited in their application or totally absent from the design.
Another consideration when analyzing industrial design materials is the intended use of the product. For example, if the product is aimed at young children, only materials deemed safe for that demographic will be used. To that end, the products may be toys and the materials used in manufacturing may include plastics and rubber, excluding glass and metals.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
