All working industrial designers can benefit by seeing what their peers are up to. Thankfully we live in an age where ID firms freely post case studies online, allowing you to see their research, prototyping, and problem-solving processes. They also give you a look at product categories you may not have worked on yet. Have a look at the following, and see where your work does and doesn’t overlap with theirs:
Sunflower is a twist on the concrete fire pit, designed by Mexican ID firm Shift Studio.
A startup called Neurable had developed the technology, and wanted outstanding design for their first product, called Enten. They turned to industrial design consultancy Fresco for help.
A California-based company called MarsCharge is dedicated to developing EV infrastructure. To design their flagship product, a freestanding commercial charger that can top off two EVs at once, they turned to industrial design consultancy DesignStein Studios.
When NYC-based pet products company Diggs wanted to create a lightweight travel kennel, they turned to industrial design firm Pensa.
Viken Detection specializes in harnessing detection technologies for use in security, law enforcement and public safety. To create their Raven product, a handheld X-ray imager, they turned to industrial design consultancy Sprout Studios.
This Featherforged: Nano is a tiny, elegant bike pump. It was created by an anonymous mechanical engineer, who posted the project online. ME credentials aside, this makes for a great ID case study.
The FreeArm is a portable, bendable device that serves as a helping hand for tube feeding and IV infusions. It was invented by Will and Misti Staley for their son Freeman, who was born with complex medical needs. They turned to industrial design consultancy Spanner to refine the design.
Integrating digital tech into a tried-and-true analog tool requires careful thought, rather than just slapping on an LED readout. So when it came time to develop their flagship digital level, tool manufacturer Milwaukee turned to industrial design consultancy Tactile.
San Francisco-based startup Rubbish worked with industrial design consultancy Hatch Duo on this smart litter-picker-upper.
London-based ID firm Pearson Lloyd wondered: With all of the changes in technology and society, isn’t it time that spaces for learning evolved?
In recent years Dremel has rolled out a line of innovative power tools. The industrial design firm behind this new generation of stepped-up tools is Michigan-based Sundberg Ferar.
This Shield concept is by PDR, an industrial design consultancy based in Cardiff, Wales. It aims to bring dignity to those who are required to live with catheters.
While client work pays the bills, successful industrial design firms know that doing internal projects can keep the creative juices flowing. One such project is this Dovetail concept, by Atlanta-based Formation Design Group.
