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The Difference between Parsons Product Design and Industrial Design

Author: Natural light / Parsons Product Design and Industrial Design / Time: 2021.09.26 12:21:37
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Studying abroad in product design and industrial design is often regarded as the same major, and since product design and industrial design are indeed "close relatives", there are many overlaps and similarities, so it is more difficult for students to do college research, and even to make collections of works. What's the difference between industrial design and product design? Today we take Parsons Design Institute as an example to introduce the difference between Parsons product design and industrial design? What are the differences in research direction, curriculum and portfolio requirements?


First of all, conceptually, both product design and industrial design aim to develop and design new functional products based on user requirements, but the specific difference is that the two majors have different focuses and training directions in this complete design process. The focus of product design lies in the product itself. From the definition of concept - design experiment - final product (including shape, function, etc.


In fact, this can be seen from the two major settings of colleges and universities. Most British and American colleges and universities, such as Art Center School of Design ACCD, Parsons Parsons School of Design, Edinburgh University, etc. all regard product design as an undergraduate major, while industrial design is set up in the graduate professional field, which is also an extension of the course content.


The difference between Parsons product design and industrial design:


1. Research direction


Product design:


The professional purpose is to train students to have the technical and professional skills needed to design products conducive to human survival. At the same time, we also need to understand a broader range of material, industrial, aesthetic and social issues in the context of new technological changes and sustainable development.


 Parsons Product Design


The curriculum includes history and theory courses related to art and design, which help us build necessary research, writing and critical reasoning skills, and build a conceptual foundation for creative exploration and development.


 Parsons Product Design Student Works

Works of students majoring in Parsons product design


In addition, for professional skills courses, we need to master the user centered design motivation to learn elective courses in the fields of digital and physical model making, innovative materials, wood and metal manufacturing, experimental ceramics and public design, so as to enrich our practical ability.


Industrial design:


The purpose of the course is to help students have more comprehensive design ability for the constantly developing product design industry. Students explore ways to design products in two contexts in the course. The first is to develop specific problem solving methods according to the needs and constraints of target users; The second is to take universal human development needs as the design principle based on the broader context of globalization.


 Parsons Industrial Design


In the course, students will learn advanced production techniques and research methods, design production in various scales from small batch to large batch, and adopt various methods from customization to systems involving global supply chain.


 Works of Parsons industrial design trainees

Works of Parsons industrial design students


Students of this major need to be able to design innovative products after graduation. Career planning includes product development, manufacturing, furniture design, service design, toy design, design management and building system design.


2. Collection requirements


Product design:


The collection of works does not need to focus on product design, but it needs to include a series of visual works that can show your professional design ability. The form can include painting, sketch, sculpture, animation, performance, graphic design or sketchbooks.


 Parsons Product Design Portfolio Requirements


In addition, we encourage you to show your experiments and breadth in the field of design. In addition Parsons School of Design Specific requirements of Parsons challenge.


Industrial design:


The purpose of this collection is to show students' personal views and creative skills. Including 15-25 images can convey your logical thinking. Works can include the work that can best demonstrate professional skills in previous education and work experience. It needs to include complete design processes such as sketches and conceptual work.


 Parsons Industrial Design Portfolio Requirements


If you are a non product design student, you can show your talent by submitting freehand brushwork, photography, painting, sculpture, graphic design, 3D works, furniture, product design, digital media and other works.


What is the difference between Parsons product design and industrial design? In fact, there is no essential difference between industrial design and product design. The whole design idea and discipline focus are almost the same. However, in specific practice, industrial design will pay more attention to early research and problem analysis, that is, we need to think about solutions according to specific rules and then carry out product design; Product design can be more conceptualized. We don't even need to ask questions as our original intention. We can carry out specific practice based on an interesting idea. For the key points of investigation in colleges and universities, product design pays more attention to whether students have professional design processes, including appearance design, concept communication, product landing, etc; Industrial design pays more attention to the assessment of students' thinking and logical ability, which requires us to take into account the feasibility of research and products at the same time. In the work concentration, we need to show the complete design process. Even for some colleges, the appearance design based on the perfect design process is not the focus of the assessment.



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What is industrial product design? Is the design of industrial products different at home and abroad?


This article belongs to the original article of Natural Light International Art Education Team. Without permission, it cannot be reproduced commercially in any form. If it is found, it must be investigated for legal responsibility.

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