A Guide to Industrial Design Terminology

At Nova, we understand that design jargon can be a barrier to entry both for new designers just starting out and for clients embarking on a relationship with an agency like us. We believe in making the field of Industrial Design accessible and inclusive. As a design partner, we never want anyone in the room to feel left out because of the language used.

To that end, we’ve compiled a list of 50 common terms you might encounter within the wide world of ID. Nova uses many of these concepts in our design process every day. Our goal for this list is to work towards getting everyone on more equal footing in the conversation.

We hope that you enjoy this guide, and that you learn something new!

3D Printing

Refers to using a machine that prints a physical 3D object from a digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material. Common types of printers include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA). FDM is more cost-effective for quick prototyping, while SLA produces a higher fidelity model with smooth surfaces and tighter tolerances.

Anthropometrics

The science of measuring the size and proportions of the human body. It’s used when designing products that humans physically interact with, such as furniture, wearables, and machines. (See also Human Factors)

Bezier Curve

A fancy name for a mathematically derived curve used in computer-aided design (CAD). They’re more complex than arcs, often organic or flowing in shape.

Blue Sky

Ideas resulting from creative brainstorms that are plausible, but not necessarily grounded in the reality of current technology and other limitations.

Curvature Degree

A way to describe curves. G1 curves touch at their endpoints, G2 curves are tangent at their endpoints, and G3 curves have a greater level of curvature continuity, resulting in smoother surfacing.

CAD

Computer-aided design software is used to create three-dimensional digital models. Software programs that are (or were) used include: Rhino, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Pro-E, NX, Alias, and more.

CMF

Color, material, and finish. These specs are determined for each part of a product that a consumer will see and then compiled into a document that communicates the intended appearance.

Concept Design

The early stage of design where the overall intent or direction should be clear, but not all aspects are resolved yet.

Consumer

The User, or the End User. In other words, this is the person who purchases the product and uses it.

Contract Manufacturer

A third party that produces the physical end product for the company selling the product.

Customer

This can be the end user when products are sold directly to the consumer or the retailer that will sell the product to consumers.

CNC

Computer-numerically-controlled. Refers to various machinery used to produce prototypes, tools, and components. For example, a CNC Milling Machine uses data from a 3D CAD file to calculate where to carve out (or mill) material from a solid block.

Deliverable

An outcome of design work such as images, models, engineering drawings, and functional prototypes. They are sometimes defined in a Statement of Work before a project begins.

Design Brief

An outline of the intended product characteristics is given to the design team prior to starting a project. It might include features, comparable products, aesthetic direction, cost, and market positioning.

Design Model

A model made during the design process to assess aspects of the visual design and physical interface. Sometimes called a looks-like model. (See also Prototype)

Design Review

An evaluation of a concept design or prototype to develop a strategy for manufacturing and assembly.

Design Thinking

An approach to problem-solving based upon the methodology used by designers.

Eco-Design

A design approach that considers the environmental impacts throughout a product’s lifecycle (raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end of life). Also referred to as sustainable design, circular design, design for the environment, or simply good design that benefits both people and the environment.

Electrical Engineering (EE)

The branch of engineering that deals with the technology of electricity and applies that knowledge to the design of products that use any form of electrical energy. In simple terms, the EE knows how to make electronics work.

Ethnography

A branch of anthropology that studies the characteristics of human family, culture, and lifestyles to gain insights into human behavior. Ethnographic researchers conduct fieldwork, often completely immersing themselves in the everyday life of a subject.

Exploded View

Image of a product assembly, showing some or all of the components separated to illustrate the parts and how they relate to each other.

Family

A set of forms or form language that’s consistent between several different products within the same product line.

Foamcore Model

A sketch model is used to evaluate the form of a product, made from lightweight foam sheets. Typically used in the early conceptual stages of product development.

Form

The three-dimensional equivalent of shape.

Front End

Preliminary stages of the design process, typically where overall configuration and desired appearance are established.

GUI (“Gooey”)

Graphical User Interface. Refers to a touch screen or control panel that conveys information and represents actions that can be taken by the user. (See also Interface)

Human Factors

The application of psychological and physiological principles to the engineering and design of products, processes, and systems so that they fit the people who use them.

Ideation

This is what we call idea generation which typically takes place early in a project when the sky's the limit. Brainstorming is an ideation technique - think of filling walls with Post-it notes containing quick doodles or scrawled ideas.

Injection Molding

The process of shooting molten material into a prepared mold - most solid plastic parts are made this way. (See also Tool)

User Interface (UI)

The part of a product where the user receives and inputs information. A UI that communicates clearly with the user is essential to achieving a good user experience.

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

The engineering branch that combines physics and math with materials science to design, analyze, and manufacture products and systems. To put it simply, the ME knows how to make physical things work.

Mood Board

A collection of images gathered at the beginning of a project to help clarify and communicate aesthetic goals for the design.

Organic

Describes form. Soft, irregular shapes like those that occur in nature.

Pantone

A color matching system used throughout the world to standardize digital and print color appearance. It can also be used to specify the color of product parts in a CMF document.

Phase

A period within a design program that is identified as having a particular focus of work. A project may have a user-research phase, a concept phase, a detail design phase, a manufacturing support phase, etc.

Proportion

The relationship between and relative size of various areas or components of a product.

Proposal

The document that sets out the plan for a project, communicates the value that the designer/agency can provide to the client, and specifies the terms that both parties must agree to. Often written in response to a brief. (See also Design Brief)

Product Design

Originally another name for industrial design. As the digital age has blossomed, the “product” can be an application, so this term now refers to industrial design as well as software interface and web development.

Prototype

A working model of the final product or a model of a functional aspect of a product. They are sometimes referred to as works-like models and are used to validate a product’s design and functionality.

Rendering

Historically, a realistic hand drawn image of the product. Currently, most photorealistic images are created via software utilizing 3D CAD data.

Rapid Prototyping (RP)

Various technologies for producing a prototype directly from 3D CAD data. ID prototypes may be working or non-working. (See also 3D Printing and CNC)

Research

May be conducted at several points in a project to back up design decisions. Common types are user research, competitor research, and research into materials and processes.

Scale

A ratio of size, e.g. a 1:5 scale. A scale model or image allows for the evaluation of designs that are too large or small to be documented effectively at true size.

Sketch

A quick hand drawing that gets the concept across, but does not contain complete detail. Also used as an adjective, e.g. sketch model.

Soft Good

A product that is largely made of fabric, such as a backpack. Manufacturing starts with 2D patterns rather than the tooling required for hard good parts.

Squircle

A cross between a circle and a square. Its gently curved sides create a soft, friendly appearance that differs from the straight edges of a rounded square.

Structural Packaging

Design of the packaging that provides structure to hold and protect the product. Incorporates graphic design to convey product and brand information.

Tech Pack

A document containing everything needed to produce a product: CAD drawings, Bill of Materials (BOM), assembly instructions, and specs for Color, Material, Finish (CMF).

Tool

The molds for producing injection-molded products, usually made of steel or aluminum. Tooling is often the biggest upfront cost for launching a product, so it’s beneficial to make sure the design requires as few pieces of tool as possible.

Vendor/Supplier

A company that provides goods or services relating to the item being designed, often sub-components of the complete product.

You made it! 🎉

This list is actively growing, so be sure to check back for updates. Let us know if there’s a term you think we missed - we’d love to hear from you. As is always true with industry terminology, these are always changing and each manufacturer may have their preferred terms.

We are rooting for you as you enter into this exciting and challenging phase of product development. Please feel free to reach out to the team at Nova if you need support for your transfer to manufacturing: hello@wearenova.co