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Crafting Comfort: Exploring the Footwear Design Process

The footwear design industry stands out for its blend of creativity and technical precision. Unlike many other design fields, it requires a deep understanding of both aesthetic appeal and functional considerations. Footwear designers are up against unique challenges, needing to meet ergonomic and visual needs while creating a product with a notoriously hard (and, consequently, often short) life ahead. As consumers, we want shoes that look great, speak to our personal style, serve our needs, and feel comfortable. Ideally, we want shoes that do all of this regardless of the category or use case, and we’ve all encountered shoes that don’t quite hit the mark. In this Insight article we will share some key considerations of footwear design and outline the footwear design process from concept to creation.

Top view of shoemaker making shoe on the table in workshop. — A designer adds design details to a footwear prototype. Photo via iStock.

Key Considerations in Footwear Design

Footwear design encompasses various essential factors that merge both artistic and technical elements. Like clothing design, it involves shaping, texturing, coloring, and balancing proportions. However, it also delves into intricate engineering aspects. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of good footwear design:

Functionality and Comfort: Achieving the right balance between function and comfort is paramount. This involves tailoring the design to suit different occasions—be it formal, casual, or athletic wear—while ensuring ergonomic support and wearability.
Fit and Anatomy: Central to footwear design is considering diverse foot sizes, shapes, arch support needs, and biomechanics. Utilizing tools like 3D molds helps designers to craft designs that accommodate varied anatomical features and movement patterns.
Material Selection: Choosing suitable materials for different parts of the shoe is crucial for both aesthetics and durability. This includes decisions regarding the lining, insole, outsole, padding, and upper portions, with options ranging from leather and fabric to mesh and suede. The material selection also plays a large part in the sustainability of a footwear design.
Construction Techniques: Determining the appropriate construction methods—such as stitching, bonding, and molding—is vital for ensuring structural integrity and longevity based on the design’s requirements. As the construction techniques available are constantly evolving as new technologies are developed, this is an exciting area for innovation in footwear design.
Aesthetic Appeal and Style: Crafting visually appealing designs that resonate with fashion trends and brand identity is a core aspect of footwear design. This involves conceptualizing and refining sketches, prototypes, and design elements such as color, texture, shape, and detailing.
Ethical and Sustainable Practices: With increasing emphasis on environmental consciousness, integrating ethical and sustainable practices into footwear design is critical. This includes using eco-friendly and recycled materials, adhering to ethical labor and manufacturing standards, and exploring cruelty-free options like vegan materials.

The Footwear Design Process

Designing footwear is a multifaceted process that merges creativity with technical expertise. A team of specialists come together to bring the concept to life. Drawing from the insights of seasoned designers, let’s explore the journey of a shoe design from concept to creation.

A designer marks a last. Photo via iStock.

Step 1. Inspiration and Research: Before diving into the design process, it’s crucial to draw inspiration from various sources and conduct thorough research. Whether it’s personal experiences, emerging materials, or market trends, this stage sets the foundation for unique and innovative designs. We like to look for inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram, and Directive Collective. As shoes are tightly aligned with fashion, we also review WGSN for trends and forecasting in fashion, determining the desired launch date for the shoe and confirming the most promising trend directions for our project. It is also common to review trends in car design to inform footwear.

Step 2. Conceptualization and Definition: Once inspired, designers define the concept that will guide the entire design process. This concept serves as a reference point for every aspect of the footwear collection, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic and mood. This typically involves narrowing down the major category of footwear. On the spectrum of lifestyle to performance, where does it land? Is it for men, women, children, or is it unisex? Does it target a niche user, like being designed for a specific sport? All of these questions help to determine the purpose of the shoe and where it will be situated in the market.

Step 3. Style and Selection: With the concept in place, designers identify the style and characteristics of the footwear, considering factors such as form, design details, and production techniques. Selections are made regarding shoe shapes, materials, and design elements to align with the defined concept. This part of the process likely involves narrowing down the potential directions discovered in the trends and forecasting research. While there are a broad range of style and color trends active at any moment, choosing a specific palette and style direction helps to keep a design or collection cohesive. Often this step involves creating a mood board that will unite the design team in the vision for the design.

Step 4. Design Development: Building upon the chosen style, designers translate conceptual ideas into tangible designs. Sketches and technical drawings are created to visualize every detail of the shoe, ensuring consistency and coherence within the collection. We generate an abundance of ideas and edit them to identify the concepts that most closely align with the goals outlined in steps 2 and 3.

Step 5. Pattern Making and Cutting: Highly skilled artisans meticulously create patterns based on design drawings, taking into account factors like material properties and measurements. Patterns are then cut from selected materials, with attention to detail to optimize material usage and quality. A last – a mechanical form shaped like a human foot – is finalized. This is the template of the foot that will be used for the design going forward, and the quality of the last used will make or break the success of the shoe.

Step 6. Assembly and Prototyping: Pattern pieces are assembled by skilled craftsmen, stitching them together to form the full upper of the shoe. This assembled upper is combined with components like toe and heel stiffeners, insoles, and outsoles to create the prototype shoe.

Step 7. Prototype Assessment and Adjustment: The prototype undergoes thorough assessment by designers and artisans to evaluate its visual and technical aspects. Adjustments are made as necessary to ensure the prototype aligns with the original concept and meets quality standards. Variations might be created to finalize decisions around design details and test color combinations.

Step 8. Iterative Refinement: If adjustments are required (and they often are), the prototype is remade to incorporate agreed-upon changes. This iterative refinement process continues until the shoe meets expectations in terms of aesthetics, comfort, and functionality.

Step 9. Finalization and Production: Once the prototype is approved, the shoe is ready for mass production. Patterns are scaled for each required size, ensuring consistency across the range. With the technicalities ironed out and designs finalized, the shoes are ready to be brought to market.

Step 10. Brand Identity and Storytelling: Throughout the design process, a strong concept and cohesive vision contribute to the development of a brand identity. The relationship between designer and artisan, as well as the technical expertise applied, imbues the final product with stories and conversations that resonate with consumers. While the concept defining in steps 2 and 3 is powerful for a consistent internal understanding of the design, the storytelling step is about translating that vision for the consumer.

Footwear designers must navigate a complex process that involves concept development, material selection, prototyping, and production, all while keeping abreast of market trends and technological advancements. The industry’s focus on sustainability and ethical practices is increasingly becoming a defining feature, influencing everything from material choices to production methods. Overall, the footwear design industry is characterized by its innovative spirit, attention to detail, and the ability to merge artistry with practicality to create products that not only look good but also perform well. The footwear design process involves a blend of creativity, research, technical skill, and iterative refinement. From initial inspiration to final production, designers navigate a complex journey to bring their vision to life, creating shoes that not only look beautiful but also tell compelling stories to those who wear them.

Check out the rest of our Insight series to learn more about the design industry. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for design news, multi-media recommendations, and to learn more about product design and development!

Art for All: Exploring the Vibrant World of Public Art Installations

Public art installations are not just sculptures or murals adorning public spaces; they’re expressions of community identity, cultural heritage, and societal values. They define social spaces in memorable ways that people will travel across the world to experience. They are landmarks, way finding devices, photo-ops, and they are art. Unlike street art, public art is often commissioned by local governments, shaping its themes and styles to resonate with community values and broader concepts that speak to the public at large.

What is public art? What forms can it take? How is a public art installation different from other forms of art? In this Insight article, we’ll define what a public art installation is, discuss the rise of art fairs that helped to enhance the awareness of public art installations, and share major global art fairs to follow to see superb examples for yourself.

*140 Broadway, NYC. Red Cube by Isamu Noguchi, 1968. Photo by teleterapia.fi via Unsplash.*

Types of Public Art

While the concept of public art has evolved over the centuries, from ancient monuments to modern site-specific artworks, as long as there has been a public, there has been public art. In the modern era, public art became intertwined with the concept of the “public sphere,” reflecting societal values and ideals. Public art comes in various forms, responding to the needs and priorities of each city or region. Cities known for public art installations, like New York and Chicago, make an effort to feature art from each category.

Ephemeral/Non-permanent: Ephemeral public art consists of temporary artworks that make statements about community art and sense of place. They are designed to degrade over time.
Installation: Public art installations are site-specific artworks integrated into public spaces like parks and transit stations, engaging commuters and passersby.
Applied: Applied public art includes murals and sculptures mounted on buildings or structures, often paying tribute to community members or cultural heritage.
Integrated: Integrated public art merges with pavements, building facades, and landscapes, utilizing existing surfaces to create immersive experiences.
Stand-alone: Stand-alone public art describes site-specific sculptures and structures, such as public sculpture gardens, that become landmarks within a community.

Cloud Gate, Millenium Park, Chicago — *Millenium Park, Chicago, IL. Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor, 2006. Photo by Michelle Raponi via Pixabay.*

Characteristics of Public Art Installations

Public art installations are some of the best known examples of public art, as they have the longevity needed to establish themselves as an iconic presence in an urban space. They share several defining characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of art:

Accessibility: Unlike the art museums, there is no gatekeeping around public art. It is typically free to experience and serves to create value in shared social spaces. Public art must be easily accessible to all members of the community.
Public Sanction: In contrast to guerilla or street art, public art has approval and support from government entities or nonprofit arts organizations, ensuring alignment with public interests.
Longevity: While some installations are temporary, public art is generally intended for long-term placement, often using durable materials resistant to the elements.
Interactivity: Many public art installations encourage interaction, fostering engagement and education within the community.

Les Deux Plateaux by Daniel Buren public art installation — *The courtyard of the Palais Royal in Paris France. Les Deux Plateaux by Daniel Buren, 1986. Photo via Unsplash by Chris Linnett.*

The Rise of the Contemporary Art Fair

The rise of contemporary art fairs traces back to the late 20th century, when cities outside major artistic hubs sought to develop and showcase their markets. Art Market Cologne, later Art Cologne, and Art Basel emerged as pioneers in 1967 and 1970, respectively, adopting formats reminiscent of traditional artisanal fairs. Initially regional, these fairs quickly expanded internationally, facilitating business in the art market and fostering dealer networks. The 1990s market crash prompted a restructuring of the existing fairs and the proliferation of new fairs, particularly local and hyper local fairs. Art Basel Miami 2002 marked a turning point, catalyzing explosive growth in the 21st century. This growth also led to the commercialization of the fair experience, like establishing VIP rooms and high costs for special exhibitions. Critics argue that the commercialization has overshadowed the fair’s original intent, neglecting smaller galleries and emerging artists while catering to larger ones. As a result, there’s debate over whether art fairs have become too commercial, leading to buyer fatigue and mixed feelings among artists about their representation.

Regardless of controversy, art fairs are here to stay. Around the world they attract art and design professionals and enthusiasts, showcasing the most impressive and lauded work of the day. They are covered thoroughly in general news as well as design news outlets, instigating and reflecting major trends in the art world. While many art fairs, regardless of their size, incorporate public art installations into their multi-media experience, a handful have made the exhibition of dramatic public art installations part of their DNA.

Major Art Fairs to Watch

Here are three important art and design fairs to follow as a lifelong student of design. All are prestigious events watched closely by the world of art and design, and to be a featured artist or creator is a major career achievement. Public art installations featured at these fairs serve as catalysts for discourse on pressing social, political, and environmental issues, amplifying their relevance and impact on a global scale.

la Biennale — Photo by Jen Schwan via Unsplash.

The Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale, renowned as one of the most prestigious cultural events globally, is a biennial art exhibition that has been held in Venice, Italy, since 1895. The 2024 fair, which is the 60th exhibition, will run from April to November. Serving as a celebration of contemporary art and culture, the Biennale attracts artists, curators, and art enthusiasts from around the world to explore a diverse range of artistic expressions across various disciplines, including visual arts, architecture, cinema, dance, and music. Among the myriad of exhibitions and pavilions, public art installations play a pivotal role in shaping the Biennale’s identity and impact. These installations transform Venice into a vibrant open-air gallery, activating public spaces and engaging audiences in unique and immersive artistic experiences. By integrating public art into the fabric of the city, the Venice Biennale blurs the boundaries between art and everyday life, fostering dialogue, reflection, and connection among participants and the broader public. The inclusion of public art installations not only enhances the cultural significance of the Venice Biennale but also reinforces its role as a dynamic platform for artistic innovation, collaboration, and dialogue.

The Milan Furniture Fair

The Milan Furniture Fair, also known as Salone del Mobile, stands as a pinnacle event in the world of design and furniture. It is held at the end of April. Since its inception in 1961, it has evolved into a global platform where designers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts converge to explore the latest trends and innovations in interior design. Alongside the myriad exhibitions of furniture, lighting, and decor, the fair also recognizes the importance of integrating public art into its offerings. Public art installations at the Milan Furniture Fair serve as focal points, not only enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the event but also enriching the overall experience for attendees. These installations, often site-specific and interactive, contribute to the ambiance of the fair, fostering creativity, dialogue, and inspiration among visitors. Moreover, public art at the fair reflects the evolving relationship between design and public spaces, showcasing how art can seamlessly integrate into our everyday environments. By incorporating public art, the Milan Furniture Fair underscores the significance of artistic expression in shaping contemporary design trends and enriching our built environment.

Art Cologne

Art Cologne is an annual art fair showcasing contemporary and modern art, attracting collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals from around the globe. Established in 1967 in Cologne, Germany, it has solidified its position as one of the world’s leading art fairs. It serves as a vibrant hub for galleries, artists, and art lovers to converge and engage with groundbreaking works across various mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations. While professionals flock to the city for the fair in November, Cologne features public art installations all year round as well as having a separate urban art fair for street art specifically.

Looking Ahead

The future of public art is unpredictable, but its significance as a reflection of community identity and shared values remains constant. As long as public art continues to thrive, it will serve as an ongoing project in shaping the modern consciousness of the “public sphere.” Public art installations are not just decorations; they’re integral components of our shared public spaces, enriching our lives and fostering a sense of belonging within our communities.

Illuminating Design: Creating Dynamic and Inviting Environments

Light is a fundamental element in the realm of architecture and design, serving as both a practical necessity and a powerful tool for creating transformative spaces. Light has a powerful influence on our perception and experience of space, affecting our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. In this Insight article we discuss the role of light in design: how light can conjure a mood, how it can define a space, and how the diverse array of light sources and their characteristics can be dynamic tools for designers. By learning about the landscape of light, designers can unlock its transformative potential to create environments that energize, comfort, and communicate.

Light and Design

Throughout history, light has played a central role in architectural design, with civilizations across the globe harnessing its power to create awe-inspiring spaces. The manipulation of light has always been integral to shaping the atmosphere of architectural spaces, and, as an ever expanding array of lighting options becomes increasingly accessible and affordable, the consideration of that light has become accordingly nuanced.

Light profoundly impacts human perception, influencing our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. The various wavelengths of light stimulate our retinas, triggering physiological responses that affect our mood and cognition. Exposure to natural daylight can enhance productivity and mood, while harsh artificial lighting may induce feelings of discomfort and fatigue. As designers, we can’t think about space without thinking about light.

Different types of light sources can have wildly different characteristics and applications, so broad is the range of options in the lighting market today. Natural light sources, such as sunlight and moonlight, offer dynamic and ever-changing illumination, while artificial sources like incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights provide consistency and control over intensity and color temperature. Understanding the qualities of each light source is essential for designers to create spaces that cater to specific functional and aesthetic requirements.

Clay house living room in the evening sun shadows

Light and Mood

Light and mood share a dynamic relationship that routinely impacts our daily lives. Whether it’s the natural radiance of the sun or the subdued glow of artificial sources, every lightwave affects our bodies and emotions. This connection is down to our circadian system, which regulates bodily processes in response to lighting cues. While natural daylight once synchronized our internal clocks, the prevalence of artificial light has introduced both positive and negative impacts on our circadian rhythms.

In our homes, lighting serves as more than just illumination; it shapes the atmosphere and is an essential part of our routines. Bright lighting encourages activity and alertness, while dim lighting promotes relaxation and rest. Exposure to artificial light, especially during nighttime hours, can interfere with our circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and related health issues. Bright light therapy has proven an effective treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

In our workplaces, lighting can significantly influence employee productivity and mood. Inadequate lighting can diminish performance, though excessively bright or harsh lighting can also have detrimental effects. Optimal workplace lighting involves a balance of intensity, softness, temperature, and color to create an environment conducive to concentration and well-being. Different sets of parameters are optimal for the innumerable environments we inhabit.

Warm lighting, with yellow and orange tones, can promote feelings of psychological warmth, comfort, and relaxation. These tones are often found in residential and hospitality lighting. Cool, blue-toned lighting is associated with productivity and alertness. These tones are often found in office and industrial settings. The significance of specific colors in lighting varies widely across cultures and from one person to another.

Light and Space

Light serves as a powerful tool in shaping our perception of space and depth within environments. By strategically manipulating light levels, characteristics, and directionality, designers can create a sense of expansiveness or intimacy, coziness or efficiency. Through techniques like accent lighting and shadow play, architectural and interior design features can be accentuated, drawing attention to key elements and adding visual interest to a space. The interplay of light and shadow can evoke a sense of texture and dimensionality, enriching the spatial experience for occupants. Light can be employed to delineate zones, establish hierarchy, and imbue spaces with a distinct sense of identity.

3D image of an environmentally friendly coworking office space.

Integrating Light into Design Processes

In any given environment, we typically want a strategic balance of natural light, general or ambient artificial light, and task artificial light. This allows us to adjust the lighting in order to successfully (and, we hope, pleasantly) navigate and use the space regardless of the time of day. Designers can use a wide range of strategies to harness these lighting types to create compelling, functional spaces. Here is a look at a handful of these techniques to get you started.

Optimize Natural Light

Our emotional well-being is directly correlated to the amount of natural light we are exposed to. Maximizing the availability of natural light is a high priority in many environments, especially residential environments. It creates a sense of warmth, openness, and connection to the outdoors. Leaving the largest surface area of windows unblocked by interior elements (heavy window treatments, furniture) and leaving clear lines of sight to those windows from key zones in the space will keep the space bright and inviting. Where window treatments are desired or required, consider sheer options that allow privacy while filtering rather than blocking natural light.

Install Dimmers

While ambient lighting should be proportional and well-suited to a space, and task lighting proportional and well-suited to its designated task(s), dimmers offer the user a range of customization that can make a space much more flexible. These are particularly desirable in residential spaces, which need to facilitate a range of activities and host a range of atmospheres. Allowing the user to adjust the intensity and the quality of the light ensures that the lighting can meet their varying needs, regardless of the time of day, the task at hand, or the desired mood.

Vary Color

Customize not only the intensity of the lightbulb but the color of the lightbulb to the task at hand. A lightbulb’s intensity is measured in lumens, and its color temperature is measured in Kelvin. Warm-toned light (2,700K to 3,000K) ranges from red to yellow on the color spectrum and most often has a golden tone. This is often used to create a cozy atmosphere, similar to firelight or the light at sunrise or sunset. These tones are common in bedrooms and living room or lounge areas where the aim is relaxation. Cool-toned light (5,000K and up) ranges from green to violet on the color spectrum and most often has a blue tone. This blue tint is similar to daylight and these tones are commonly used in task lighting, as in a kitchen or office. Cool color temperatures are often used to create an alert, sterile, or industrial atmosphere, as in a hospital or office building. They are ideal for encouraging concentration and attentiveness.

Vary Task Lighting

Poor or insufficient lighting can cause fatigue and inability to focus, as can overly harsh or bright lighting. Light is ideally tailored to the space and the needs of the user within that space, and it is often the case that a single light cannot meet all of the user’s needs within a space, especially in a multi-use space like a home. Including a variety of task lighting is a great way to create task-oriented stations that increase the versatility of a space, allowing the user to change or combine task lighting options as available daylight shifts and their needs change. This can include task lighting at a variety of color temperatures, light intensity, height, and directionality. For example, a living room might have a dim, diffuse, warm light for watching television and relaxing, and a relatively bright, directional, cool light for reading.

Spotlight/Uplight Features and Zones

Key architectural features, artwork, and decorative objects can be highlighted with strategic spotlights. A well-placed, directional light can add depth and character to a space, creating visual interest, a dramatic focal point, and more. Uplights can accomplish the same goal from below, calling out the importance of a feature of the room. Spotlights and uplights can also be used to delineate zones in the space, like a flood of light over a dining room table, or a soft glow around a bar area.

Wall Washing

Wall washing is a technique that involves placing a light source near a wall such that the light bathes the wall in a diffuse glow. This is often done with a warm light to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The light might highlight a special texture or feature of the wall, or delineate a seating area. A sconce is a classic option for creating this effect, though many types of lighting fixtures can accomplish it.

Layer Lighting

Layering lighting options is an essential tactic for creating depth and texture in a space. A single, central light source can be flat and relentless, and creates an effect that is the farthest away from the natural variation of daylight. Light sources that create pools of light and shadow offer dynamic contrast, and this is much more dynamic when the zone of influence of a light source strategically intersects with that of another light source, creating still more variation in the light levels of a space. Adding dimmers to such sources offers a custom level of contrast, allowing a user to dial in the atmosphere further still. All of these techniques can be layered to create compelling spaces that are well-suited to their purpose.

Light It Up

Light, and the quality of light, has a significant impact on our built environments as well as our well-being, and is a powerful tool in design. It can define the atmosphere of environments and create boundaries for spatial experiences. The integration of light into design processes involves strategic considerations, from optimizing natural light to implementing a custom blend of lighting techniques to best meet a user’s needs. In understanding the range of lighting possibilities, designers can create compelling and functional spaces that enhance our experiences and foster a sense of connection to our environments.

How to Facilitate a Co-Design Workshop

Co-design is an approach to design that actively involves end-users and stakeholders in the creative process. In co-design, the people who will ultimately use the product, service, or system are brought into the design process as active participants rather than as passive recipients. It can be an incredibly powerful method for understanding your users and creating products that speak directly to their needs. A co-design workshop is a classic tool for practicing co-design. In this Insight article we’ll outline how to facilitate a co-design workshop. Whether you’re diving into design-thinking, human-centered design, or UX projects, these tips and tricks will ensure your workshops are not only productive but also fun, dynamic, and actionable. Be sure to check out our list of resources at the end for some wonderful kits and tools to help you with your next workshop.

What is a Co-Design Workshop?

A co-design workshop is a collaborative and interactive session where diverse stakeholders, such as clients and end-users, come together to actively participate in the design process of a product, service, or solution. The primary purpose of a co-design workshop is to harness collective creativity, knowledge, and perspectives. The workshop aims to generate innovative ideas, solve problems, and create user-centered solutions. During a co-design workshop, participants engage in a series of structured activities, discussions, and brainstorming sessions. They share their insights and needs, working together to ideate and refine design solutions. This collaborative approach ensures that the final outcome reflects the input and preferences of all those involved.

Key Aspects of a Co-Design Workshop

There are a number of priorities to keep front and center when developing a co-design workshop. Doing so ensures that the participants are comfortable, empowered, and respected, and that their voices are at the center of the experience. These priorities include:

Inclusivity: Co-design workshops involve a diverse group of participants, ensuring representation from various perspectives and backgrounds.
Empathy: Participants empathize with the end-users, striving to understand their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. This empathetic approach is fundamental to creating solutions that genuinely meet user needs.
Creativity: The workshops encourage participants to think creatively, explore unconventional ideas, and push boundaries to develop innovative solutions.
Iterative Process: Co-design workshops often involve iterative cycles, allowing participants to refine and improve their ideas based on feedback and collaborative discussions.
Hands-on Activities: Participants engage in hands-on activities such as brainstorming, sketching, prototyping, and user testing. These activities facilitate active participation and idea generation.
Shared Ownership: Co-design workshops promote a sense of shared ownership among participants, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone contributes to the design process.

The ultimate goal of a co-design workshop is to create solutions that are not only functional and effective but also resonate with the end-users on a deep level. By involving stakeholders in the design process, co-design workshops enhance the quality, relevance, and acceptance of the final product or service, leading to more successful and user-friendly outcomes.

Facilitating a Co-Design Workshop in 12 steps

A co-design workshop is a big undertaking, and requires a lot of planning and development. Plan well in advance and create the agenda with care. Here are 12 steps to help you facilitate your co-design workshop with success:

1. Define Clear Goals: Know what you want to accomplish and communicate these goals clearly to participants beforehand.

2. Set the Stage: Create an inspiring environment with ample natural light, colorful supplies, and engaging materials. The ambiance is a powerful tool to create a comfortable, save, inviting atmosphere. Offer food and beverages. Seek out a pleasant venue that is easy to access.

3. Craft a Story: Design your workshop activities like a story, such that each exercise builds on the findings of the previous one.

4. Create Structure: Give exercises a clear beginning, middle, and end. Participants should feel comfortable, understand what’s expected, and see the purpose of each activity. Signpost progress so the group is with you every step of the way.

5. Embrace Creativity: Get creative with exercises, adapting them to your specific needs. Unique activities keep participants engaged and challenged.

6. Give Clear Instructions: Provide step-by-step instructions, but reveal them gradually to prevent confusion and keep participants on track. Providing copies of your instructions in writing can be useful for your participants to reference, either on a shared whiteboard or presentation, or on handouts you share.

7. Allow Breaks: Incorporate breaks for participants to process ideas, mingle, and recharge. And get snacks!

8. Intermingle Teams: Keep energy high by allowing participants to switch teams or seating arrangements, encouraging fresh ideas and perspectives. Activities that involve movement can be great for this as well.

9. Idea “Parking Lot”: Have a designated space to capture valuable but off-topic ideas. This ensures participants feel heard without derailing the main discussion. These ideas might be revisited at a later point in the workshop.

10. Attention Grabbers: Use timers, chimes, or visual cues to regain participants’ attention and guide them through exercises. These signals can help create structure in your workshop.

11. Be a Timekeeper: Stay on track, cut off discussions if needed, and respect participants’ time. Flexibility is key, but end the workshop punctually.

12. Effective Wrap-Up: Summarize achievements, ask key questions, and ensure participants leave knowing the next steps. You may want to conduct a feedback survey to get immediate insights about the workshop experience. Follow up with a thank you message and a summary of the workshop outcomes.

We also highly recommend having a dedicated notetaker and photographer and/or videographer for your co-design workshops, provided your participants agree and sign release forms as needed. Documenting your process is powerful and can lead to additional insights when you debrief with your team. It’s also a wonderful way to share the story of your workshop with others, and capture the assets created.

Facilitating a workshop is an art that combines structure, creativity, and empathy. By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only become a proficient facilitator but also a driving force behind transformative and impactful co-design workshops.

Co-Design Workshop Resources

This Co-Design Kit includes useful case studies that demonstrate the principles in action.

A third of The Convivial Toolbox, a book about generative design research, is dedicated to methods and strategies, with the rest of the book discussing the nature and importance of co-design.

This co-design web resource conveniently sorts activities and strategies into the stages of the design process. A great place to find activities for your workshop.

This co-design toolkit is specifically targeted to workshops around disabilities but is so wonderfully organized that it is useful for any workshop facilitator.

This co-design web resource has a number of excellent suggestions for both structuring as well as facilitating a co-design workshop.

The Future of Industrial Design Education

This article, written by Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, was published in the Fall 2023 Issue of Innovation Magazine.

As technology continues to blur the lines between physical and digital products, design educators must navigate an increasingly complex landscape to determine what a design education should look like. In this Insight article we explore the challenges and opportunities facing industrial design education today. We outline the key skills that will be needed by the next generation of designers in this evolving landscape.

The Merge

The merge of physical and digital products represents a significant shift in the field of industrial design. Digital technologies and experiences are increasingly integrated into physical products, blurring the boundaries between the physical and virtual realms. Designers now need to possess a comprehensive understanding of both physical and digital design principles, as well as the ability to seamlessly integrate the two. Designers who embrace the merging of the physical and the digital can create innovative and immersive experiences that enhance user interactions and redefine the possibilities of product design.

This blurring has important implications for design education, yielding both challenges as well as opportunities. It is a real challenge to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate a shifting landscape. Traditional design education must increasingly incorporate digital tools, technologies, and methodologies. At the same time, new avenues for creativity and exploration are everywhere. By understanding the implications of this merge and embracing interdisciplinary approaches, industrial design education can play a role in shaping the future of design, ensuring that designers are well-prepared to create innovative and meaningful products that integrate the physical and digital realms.

The Changing Landscape of Industrial Design

The landscape of industrial design education is undergoing a significant transformation as technology continues to advance and shape the field. Traditionally, industrial design focused on physical products, such as furniture, appliances, and consumer goods. However, there has been a noticeable shift towards digital and interactive experiences in the past few decades, a shift that is accelerating every year. This shift is driven by the increasing integration of technology into everyday objects, as well as the rising demand for user-centered and immersive design solutions. Gradually, industrial design programs are adapting their curricula to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate this new territory.

Advancements in digital tools, prototyping techniques, and manufacturing technologies have revolutionized the way designers approach their work. New 3D technologies have opened up new possibilities for rapid prototyping, iteration, and visualization. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) have created opportunities for designing connected and intelligent products. Designers are expected to be proficient in these technologies and leverage them to create innovative, user-friendly, and sustainable solutions.

The evolving landscape of industrial design education emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary skills and knowledge among design students. Designers are no longer solely focused on aesthetics and form; they must also understand the technological, sociocultural, and economic contexts in which their designs will exist. Collaborating with engineers, programmers, psychologists, and other experts is becoming increasingly common to address complex design challenges. In response, design education is incorporating interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to explore diverse fields and develop a holistic understanding of the design process. This interdisciplinary mindset equips designers with the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, reflecting the reality of the modern design industry.

Challenges in industrial design education

Industrial design education faces several challenges in adapting to the changing landscape. One is striking the right balance between technical skills and creativity in design education. While technical skills are necessary for using advanced tools and software, creativity remains at the heart of design. It is essential for design programs to foster an environment that encourages both technical proficiency and creative thinking, ensuring that students develop a well-rounded skill set that allows them to excel in the digital as well as the physical aspects of design.

Another challenge is addressing the evolving role of designers in a digital world. With the increasing integration of technology, designers are no longer limited to creating physical products; they are also involved in crafting digital experiences and services. Design education needs to prepare students for this expanded role by equipping them with skills in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, interaction design, and digital prototyping. By embracing the digital aspects of design, students can adapt to the changing demands of the industry and contribute to the creation of meaningful and engaging experiences.

The field of industrial design has a rich history and established traditions, making it challenging for some institutions to embrace new technologies and design approaches. In order to stay relevant and prepare students for the future, design programs will need to be open to innovation and adapt their curricula to reflect the evolving needs of the industry. This may involve introducing new courses, incorporating emerging technologies into projects, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and experimentation.

Design education must also align with the expectations and requirements of the design industry, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge that employers seek. Establishing strong connections with industry professionals, offering internships and collaborative projects, and involving industry experts in curriculum development can help bridge this gap. By fostering a close relationship between academia and industry, design programs can better prepare students for real-world challenges and increase their employability upon graduation.

Opportunities in Industrial Design Education

While there are many challenges, there are also many opportunities. Embracing digital tools and software in the design process opens up new possibilities for creativity and efficiency. Designers can leverage software for 3D modeling, simulation, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) to visualize and iterate their ideas before moving to physical prototyping. By incorporating these digital tools into the curriculum, design programs can empower students to explore new design possibilities and streamline their workflow.

Another opportunity is incorporating human-centered design principles in digital experiences. As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, designers will need to prioritize the user experience and consider the human aspects of their designs. By teaching students about user research, usability testing, and empathy-driven design, design programs can ensure that the next generation of designers develops a deep understanding of human needs and can create digital experiences that are intuitive, inclusive, and meaningful.

Leveraging emerging technologies for innovative design solutions presents still more opportunities. Industrial design education can explore the integration of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and wearable devices into design projects. By encouraging students to experiment with these technologies and explore their potential applications in various domains, design programs can foster innovation and prepare students to create designs that push boundaries and address future challenges.

Encouraging collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects is another valuable opportunity for industrial design education. The merging of physical and digital products requires designers to work closely with professionals from diverse fields such as software development, engineering, psychology, and business. By promoting collaborative projects that bring together students from different disciplines, design programs can nurture a multidisciplinary mindset and foster teamwork and communication skills. Such projects also reflect the real-world nature of design work, where collaboration and cross-disciplinary approaches are increasingly necessary for successful outcomes.

Looking to the Future

As industrial design education looks towards the future, it is essential to consider the impact of emerging technologies. Design programs need to stay abreast of the latest advancements and integrate them into their curricula to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to harness the potential of these technologies. Students need to understand not only the utility but the ethical implications of these technologies. Designers must consider the ethical and social consequences of their creations, ensuring that technology is used responsibly and with consideration for human values and well-being.

As digital products become more prevalent, it is essential for industrial design education to emphasize the importance of designing with sustainability in mind. Students should be encouraged to adopt sustainable design principles, including material selection, lifecycle assessment, and designing for circularity. Ethical issues like privacy, data security, and inclusivity, need to be integrated into the design process. Design programs can be a key player in instilling these values.

Conclusion

The merging of physical and digital products presents both challenges and opportunities in industrial design education. The challenges lie in balancing technical skills and creativity, addressing the evolving role of designers in a digital world, overcoming resistance to change, and bridging the gap between academia and industry needs. However, these challenges can be turned into opportunities by embracing digital tools and software, incorporating human-centered design principles, leveraging emerging technologies, and encouraging collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects.

Adaptability and continuous learning are key attributes for designers in this evolving landscape. As technology continues to advance and new design paradigms emerge, designers must be willing to adapt their skills and embrace new tools and methodologies. Designers need to be open to collaborating with professionals from different disciplines, which can foster creativity and lead to innovative solutions that bridge the gap between physical and digital realms.

In preparing the next generation of designers, it is important to provide them with a solid foundation in both traditional and digital design principles. By nurturing their technical skills, creativity, and interdisciplinary thinking, design education can empower students to become versatile and forward-thinking professionals. Additionally, design programs should foster a culture of experimentation, encourage critical thinking, and emphasize the ethical and sustainable considerations inherent in the digital age. By equipping designers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and mindset, we can shape a future where the merge of physical and digital products is seamlessly integrated, leading to innovative and meaningful experiences for users.

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