As I progress through my career and in life and, I often find myself thinking about different concepts more deeply. Maybe it is seated in a sense of understanding the world around me, myself and my place in it.
I find myself in a wonderful position where I consider my work to be my past time. I love design and designing and get a buzz from working with talented, likeminded individuals/teams. It sustains my lifestyle financially but sits at the same level as my love for my other pursuits of sailing, football, mountain biking and surfing (really badly) and coaching.
Time management to fit it all in is usually the greatest challenge but also its greatest lesson.
Industrial design, at its core, is the process of designing and developing products that blend functionality, aesthetics, and user-centred experiences. But underneath the sleek lines and functional beauty of every product is a designer’s psychological journey.
Psychology is an area that I have been becoming more interested in recently, especially running my own consultancy. Also, as I mature, I think about things differently.
For me as an industrial design consultant, psychology isn’t just a consideration, it’s an essential element that influences how I think, create, and bring ideas to life, but also how I run my business and interrelate with others on so many levels.
So, with a little research on the interwebs intertwined with my thoughts and learnings (ChatGPT is a wonderful tool to collate knowledge from an average of the internet) here is what I have uncovered about the topic of understanding the Psychology of an Industrial Designer and hopefully provide insight into the thought processes and motivations and challenges that define the work I love.
I do hope you enjoy this learning process with me, here goes.
1. The Designer’s Mindset: A Creative and Analytical Fusion
Industrial designers bridge the worlds of art and engineering, requiring a unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking. Creativity drives the ability to imagine new possibilities, while analytical skills ensure the functionality and feasibility of the designs.
Designers are often highly visual thinkers, with a keen sense of spatial awareness and an ability to envision three-dimensional forms in our minds. This mental imagery helps conceptualise ideas before the first sketch hits the paper.
Many industrial designers also possess the ability to enter the “flow state” during our creative processes. In a flow state, the designer loses themselves in the work, becoming deeply immersed in the tasks. This intense focus is often marked by a heightened level of productivity, where designers experience a seamless progression of ideas. The flow state is highly beneficial in design work, as it allows for breakthroughs in creative problem-solving and innovation.
“Ah, chasing the flow state. This is where the ‘Design Bliss IS’. Like many others of my pursuits, I search for it where ever I can. To get into this position I also heavily use music, another thing that is so hard to define but has a massive impact on human psychology. With headphones on and with the right tune to create the right mood to unlock right level of creativity. If I am on a deadline some EDM or heavy metal really gets the mouse cursor moving. Or on the flip side, if I am feeling erratic and overwhelmed but need to get stuff done, some chilled tracks can calm and centre my mind. Playlists are great for every occasion.”
2. Empathy and User-Centred Thinking
Empathy is a central psychological trait in industrial design. Industrial designers must understand the people they are designing for, not only what they want but what they need, even if they aren’t able to articulate it.
To achieve this, designers frequently put themselves in the user’s shoes, imagining how a person would interact with the product and anticipating potential frustrations or challenges. This approach is foundational to creating a product that isn’t just visually appealing but also functional and user-friendly.
Empathy-driven design doesn’t only make products better; it also creates a positive emotional experience for users. Products that are designed with a clear understanding of the user's perspective foster satisfaction and loyalty. For designers, there’s a strong sense of fulfillment in creating solutions that positively impact people’s lives. However, the process of empathising and aligning with the user’s needs can also be mentally taxing, designers must continually refine an understanding based on user feedback and usability testing.
“I recently was introduced to ’16 personalities’ (http://www.16personalities.com) psychological type cast test and found out I am a Protagonist (ENFJ-T). It really made sense both personally but also professionally as an Industrial Designer. Many of the traits of that personality type I see reflected in my design processes.
Putting ourselves in the mind and body of the user enables us to generate a concept. Though also recognising we are but one individual with our own biases that may lead to the first concept bombing in the market. A truly successful design uses this psychological principle and through iteration and testing by a broader section of our intended market to produce a design that meets most, if not all, of its objectives to satisfy or hopefully, surpass the users’ needs and expectations and with the right market conditions, a successful product.”
3. The Influence of Cognitive Psychology in Design Decision-Making
Cognitive psychology plays a significant role in the day-to-day decisions of industrial designers. Designers often rely on an understanding of how people process information, remember experiences, and make decisions. For instance, when designing the user interface of a product, consider cognitive load, how much mental effort is required for a person to operate or navigate a product.
Designers use principles such as Gestalt psychology to guide visual organization in our designs. Gestalt principles, like proximity, similarity, and closure, help designers create products that are not only visually pleasing but also intuitively organized. For example, grouping similar controls on a product interface can help users navigate and interact with the product more naturally. A designer’s understanding of cognitive psychology allows anticipation and to alleviate potential user frustrations, making the experience smooth and engaging.
“An element I learned along the way is how the eye moves across a page, across a screen or control panel. Also, in how to give the eye space to breath and rest so it does not become overwhelmed and guide it through the intended environment with a sense of hierarchy.”
4. Problem-Solving Under Pressure
Industrial design is a field fraught with challenges. Designers are tasked with balancing various demands: the client’s vision, the technical limitations, manufacturing costs, and, of course, the user’s needs.
Problem-solving, therefore, becomes a significant part of the designer’s psychological makeup. Designers approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset, often brainstorming multiple iterations of a product to arrive at an optimal solution.
This iterative process, however, can be demanding. Industrial designers often deal with creative block or self-doubt, especially when we feel stuck on a challenging design issue. To manage the pressure, many designers develop psychological resilience. Resilience allows persistance through multiple rounds of feedback and revisions, learning from mistakes and moving forward with each iteration.
“Sometimes one of the best ways I have found to overcome creative block is literally walk away from it… And do exercise. Getting outdoors in the world, in nature. Going for a walk in the bush, going for a ride or a surf or a sail. Some of my best design resolutions for challenges have happened on the bike.
In this activity I am in a different but same state of flow, but my subconscious is beavering away in the back ground. I remember once working on a challenging humidifier problem for ResMed and couldn’t find a viable solution. I went for a ride. I remember cresting a rise and the solution went pop. Sometimes I need to let the solution find me rather than force it.”
5. Perfectionism and Self-Critique
A strong attention to detail is a hallmark of successful industrial designers, but it can also lead to perfectionism. Perfectionism in design can be both a strength and a liability. On the one hand, it drives designers to continually improve our work and push boundaries. On the other hand, it can lead to self-criticism and an inability to let go of imperfections.
The desire to create something truly exceptional often leads designers into a cycle of self-critique, questioning the quality of the work and fear that it may not be "good enough." This mindset, if left unchecked, can lead to burnout or a sense of dissatisfaction. Many industrial designers learn to find a balance by adopting a growth mindset, understanding that perfection is a process rather than an endpoint. Accepting the idea that a design will never be entirely “perfect” allows designers to release some of the pressure and maintain our motivation.
“As designers, we are often our harshest critic, and we should be. If we don’t have high standards in the work we do, how do we expect others to part with there hard earned to buy the products we design.
This was certainly a turning pint in my thinking and in my career. Perfect never leaves the CAD screen. Pardon my French, but my favourite phrase I learned as a naïve but wide-eyed Uni student on work experience at a Design Consultancy, is “Ant Fucking”.
I will leave the rest to your imagination. But didn’t realise it’s significance until much later in my career.
At some point we need to break from this ideal and release the product into the world. With experience comes a better judge of when we have reached that point. But equally important is how to get to it as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. This in itself is a never ending process of learning.”
6. Collaboration and Communication: Social Psychology in Design
The collaborative nature of industrial design means that designers must have strong communication skills and a deep understanding of group dynamics. Industrial designers often work in cross-functional teams, interacting with engineers, marketers, manufacturers, and clients. Each group brings its own set of expectations, requirements, and constraints. Effective communication is essential for bridging these different perspectives and finding common ground.
Social psychology plays a key role in navigating these interactions. Designers are often skilled at active listening, negotiation, and conflict resolution, all of which are essential for ensuring that everyone’s goals are aligned. Designers may use persuasive communication techniques to advocate for our ideas, presenting us in a way that resonates with different stakeholders. This collaborative effort ultimately enriches the design process, bringing multiple perspectives together to create a more refined and well-rounded product.
“Design is definitely a team sport, but it is so much more than that. As designers we are able to cross over between different disciplines, possibly being jack of all trades, but also recognising the expertise of members in the team and helping bring each to the fore to compliment potential weaknesses across the group. And when success comes, it is so much more rewarding to share the accolade than stand solo. We are after all social beings.” A High-Five to yourself is a wave and one hand clapping makes no sound.”
7. Balancing Innovation with Feasibility
Innovation is a key motivator for industrial designers, as it allows us to bring fresh ideas and new technologies into the market. But the excitement of innovation must be tempered with a realistic understanding of what is feasible. Designers constantly balance the desire to create ground breaking products with the limitations of materials, budget, and manufacturing capabilities.
This balancing act requires a psychological flexibility, as designers must pivot and adjust our ideas without losing sight of our original vision. For many designers, this is a fulfilling part of the process, as it allows us to explore creative solutions within real-world constraints. However, the need to adapt can also be frustrating, especially when a promising concept needs to be altered or simplified due to cost or technical limitations.
“This is part and parcel of the design process in the real world. With experience heavily set in manufacturing, especially at the coal face as Operations Manager at PPC Moulding Services, design for manufacturing this is higher up my list of priorities. A design may be great, but if you can’t produce it effectively, efficiently and repeatably, then it may never become a successful product.
On the flip side is where you have a cool technology and are trying a product to use it on. It may be great but if it doesn’t resolve a user’s need it is but a shiny thing in the corner of your eye.”
8. The Role of Visual and Sensory Psychology
Industrial designers understand that a product’s appearance and tactile feel are critical to how users perceive it. Visual and sensory psychology provides insight into how colours, textures, and forms affect emotions and create a sensory experience. Designers leverage this understanding to evoke specific feelings, such as excitement, comfort, or trust.
For example, a designer might use smooth textures and muted colours to create a sense of calm in a product intended for relaxation. Conversely, bold colours and sharp edges might be used to convey energy and modernity. This sensitivity to the psychology of aesthetics is key to creating products that not only function well but also create a lasting impression.
“This one crept up on me over my career. The impact of colour and texture when combined with form. We are very visual beings. Impressions are made in an instant, but with no depth behind it, a design can be discarded like yesterday’s newspaper. Classic designs continue to give something visually and emotionally with each interaction. This is a difference between POP (disposable) culture and the classics. I saw Pearl Jam last night for the second time in 30 years. They were just as memorable as when I was 21 years old, compared to a produced pop tune from the same time from an artist who I can’t remember with a track that I have long forgotten.”
9. Ethical Considerations and the Psychological Impact of Design
Industrial designers are increasingly mindful of the ethical implications of our work, including the environmental impact and societal effects of the products we create. The knowledge that our designs can shape people’s behaviours, habits, and in the medical realm their well-being and sometimes their lives, is a powerful motivator. Many designers strive to create products that promote sustainability, accessibility, and positive social impact.
The psychological satisfaction that comes from ethical design can be significant, as designers feel we are contributing to something greater than ourselves. At the same time, ethical dilemmas can arise, especially when working with clients who prioritise profit over sustainability or social responsibility. Designers must navigate these dilemmas thoughtfully, balancing our personal values with professional responsibilities.
“As someone who loves to get out into nature and tries to as much as possible and all the positive benefit it gives me, I am also acutely aware of the impact of the industry I work in has on it. Especially plastics.
But… I am also not so naive to the role plastics play in our modern lives. With this is an awareness that it is not the responsibility plastic part itself when is discarded into nature. It was a person who made that choice not to dispose of it ethically and with minimal environmental impact. For my part, and an awareness of the general behaviour of people, it is doing my bit to minimise the negative impact of those behaviours on the world we live in and its inhabitants. In many cases this can be good business or economics for my clients as well.”
The Wrap.
The psychology of an industrial designer is a complex interplay of creativity, functional reality, empathy, resilience, and ethical considerations. By understanding the psychological factors that influence our work, we gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication, thoughtfulness, and expertise that goes into every design.
“We, as Industrial designers, are not just creators of products; we are problem-solvers, communicators, and advocates for the user experience. Our work ultimately shapes the way people interact with the world around them, and our psychology is integral to making that world a more functional, beautiful, and thoughtful place.
It’s just as well I love my profession. Having tried several others, there is nothing else I would rather do.”
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équipe design & consulting; with 20 years experience in design and manufacture of Medical grade moulded parts and product, including 5 years at the coal face as Operations Manager at a world class medical grade moulding facility; we are specialist in Design for Manufacture (DFM).
Please reach out if you feel you need assistance with your part design, from Design Coaching and Guidance to Full Service Design Consulting.
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References: ChatGPT, Images Google, Getty Images
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