Umeå Institute of Design at Umeå University opened in 1989 and
is planned and equipped solely for the teaching of industrial
design. Since the Institute is part of a dynamic and expanding
university, the education at UID is excellent.
Characteristics of the education are:
- close cooperation with the industry in realistic projects
- numerous external lecturers from the industry and from the
university
- a creative study-environment in newly built facilities with
high quality equipment
The course in industrial design is keyed to the planning and
design of industrial products, product systems and complete
environments. Above all we are concerned in product design with
emphasis on usage. This means that production and consumer goods,
health and medical/technical equipment, transport equipment and
telecommunication equipment can form parts of our various
projects.
Industrial Design
Industrial design is concerned with cultivating the interaction
between the individual and the object in the development of
industrially produced products. A well functioning entity is
achieved by considering functional, aesthetic, ergonomic, technical
and marketing requirements.
The industrial designer works closely with the industry and the
market and must be well acquainted with industrial working methods
and with different fields. The course is therefore
multi-disciplinary and both artistic and technical in
character.
Great Demands on Products
The world we live in is gradually becoming more complex and
technologically advanced. Users' demands of objects, work-tools and
work places increase. The products need to be attractive and easy
to use. Industrial design can therefore have considerable influence
in the creation of products and environments by supplying knowledge
of the users.
With anthropometrics - evidence of movement patterns and working
position, or simple studies of how users behave in a certain
situation - valuable information can be obtained as a foundation
for further development. When groups of users are able to evaluate
full-scaled models, dummies or working models, ergonomics becomes a
natural part of the development process.
It is important for the industrial designer to be able to work
with different types of models and mockups. Direct problem-solving
using three-dimensional, full-scale models are a creative, quick
and effective method of development. These methods demand
craftsmanship and the ability to work with different types of
materials and machines.
Neither Technician nor Artist
In order to cooperate with engineers and production technicians,
the designer must have certain technical skills. The industrial
designer, however, is trained neither as an artist nor a
technician. She or he is a specialist with knowledge of the
interaction between individual and object, and can apply methods to
explore this relationship. Observations of the person-object
interplay form the point of departure for product design.
The exterior of a product is not only essential but also
normally has a correlation with function. In some cases appearance
originates in functions of use. In other cases it is an expression
of some quality or a characteristic. Knowledge of the design and
creative process is the key to an industrial designer's
professional competence.
With a product's function as a starting point it is essential to
give the different components suitable form. Simplifying,
coordinating or bringing together components in a new way forms a
conscious creative process. Characteristics such as lightness and
flexibility, weight and stability, power or quality and durability
can be expressed.
In a creative, innovative process the designer experiments with
different constructions, materials, components and production
methods. Eventually a well functioning and aesthetically appealing
product is achieved.
The aesthetic aspect is one of many in product development, and
its importance can vary between different product groups. In
certain cases aesthetic issues are important, whilst in others they
are of lesser significance. Design is the creative unity of many
functions.
