Abstract

The paper describes an on-going research project that aims to enhance practice through efficiency gains by devising a totally digital industrial design strategy that could be developed into an undergraduate curriculum. A literature review was undertaken to explore the nature of industrial design practice, emerging technologies and industrial design education. This was supported by a survey of 100 graduates to explore their views on the ease of using digital tools; the extent to which digital methods were being employed; and opinion on employing a totally digital industrial design strategy during their studies. The results indicated a lack of awareness and confidence in the capability of some of the digital tools, which led to a negative opinion towards an entirely digital process. Following data collection on digital tools/media, a completely digital industrial design strategy was defined through which practice would be undertaken in a totally computerized environment. The aim of this was to shorten the cost and time of planning/production and to facilitate the integration of digital industrial design (DID) into new product development. The outcome was a strategy that was divided into three phases (concept generation, development and specifications) and employing up to seventeen digital tools/media according to need.