22 things about industrial design they didn't teach me in design school

You would think learning industrial design for 4 years at design schools would get you there, won’t you?

Hi folks! I am Yash, an industrial design undergraduate from the National Institute of Design, India and a community moderator at Young Designers India, a popular design community of Indian designers and design students.

Most of how much I know about industrial design came from going beyond the curriculum, reading books and interacting with designers in the industry through online communities, Linkedin and design events.

Here are a few lessons from a reflection of my own journey as an ex-industrial design student. Hope this helps all of you in your industrial design journey!

1. Your research is only as good as its insights

Design research is all about the insights, not the fancy methods you used to get there. If your survey didn’t uncover anything useful that helped shape your design, then it doesn’t need to be in your presentation. Instead, take a moment to reflect on how you could’ve skipped that exercise and just used the saved time to brew yourself an extra coffee.

2. A goal is an end achievement

As Sung Jang, Martin Thaler, and Matthew Frederick put it: people don’t need a vase; they need a way to display and enjoy flowers. They don’t need a teacup; they need a way to drink tea. Goals are the destinations within the larger journey — what people truly seek beyond the object itself.

3. A need vs. a goal

Goals are the destination, and needs are the steps required to get there. Take a rice cooker, for example: the goal is to cook rice perfectly. The need is to make sure the heat switches off at just the right moment. A well-designed rice cooker solves this by automatically shutting off the heat, so you don’t have to keep checking it like you’re waiting for your crush to text back.

4. Pay attention to the experience

How a product feels in your hands, its weight, the satisfying click of its buttons — these tiny interaction experience details aren’t just for show, they’re what turn a product from “meh” to “take my money!”. Attention to such details can elevate a product’s value, setting it apart from those that overlook these nuances.

5. Understand familiarity and mental models

Users form mental models through familiar interactions with products. For instance, door handles — whether for rooms or cabinets — should operate in a consistent way. When you deviate from these expectations in the name of innovation, you risk adding unnecessary friction and increasing the learning curve. Help the user open the door to their room, not to your Pinterest board with handles from La La Land.

6. Design for the ecosystem

Every product lives in an ecosystem — it’s not just about what it does but how it fits into the chaos of real life. UrbanCompany noticed people awkwardly juggling bottles, hunting for shelf space, and playing “Did I turn off the purifier?” roulette. So, they said, “Why not make a purifier that gets it together?” Enter their solution: a purifier with a bottle rack and an automatic 1-litre dispenser. Now, instead of starring in a balancing act, users can relax while their purifier does all the heavy lifting — and maybe even wins water-saver of the household.

7. The underrated P-word: Personality (not portfolio)

Every visual style has a personality — and like your favourite outfit, it says a lot about who it’s trying to impress (and who it’s trying to avoid). The Xbox Series X and S are like the quiet kid in the corner, blending into your entertainment setup and politely saying, “I’m just here to play games, not cause a scene.” Meanwhile, the PS5 shows up dressed like it’s auditioning for a sci-fi movie, loudly declaring, “Look at me, I’m the future!” When designing, crank up your concept to the extreme, see if it’s screaming the right vibe, and then dial it back until it stops scaring the neighbours.

8. Phallus check (please!)

Let’s be blunt: don’t make your product look like human genitals. Sure, ergonomics are important, but let’s not overdo it and accidentally create something that gets giggles instead of respect. People will notice. Trust me, they always notice.

9. The product exists before and after its use

Sure, you made the AC a breeze to use, but what about everything else? Is it easy to install or uninstall without needing a degree in engineering? Does the packaging come with a “please don’t stab yourself” warning? Can it be repaired without summoning a team of experts? Is it easy to open up and poke around when something breaks? And can you clean it without feeling like you’re getting a workout? Go beyond the primary function of your product.

10. Stress over the little guys

Details like parting lines, draft angles, joinery, weld lines, and screws significantly impact a design and should never be an afterthought. Decide early if you want to hide parting lines like a secret, or flaunt them as part of the design. Should screws be camouflaged, or proudly shown off? Consider if wood joinery will serve as a tensile feature or a design element. Every detail contributes to the final product.

11. Use the pen to write first, not sketch

A clear starting point is essential in design. Before sketching, write down the problem you’re solving, user needs, design goals, key insights, and constraints. Treat this as a living document, updated with research findings, but solidify your foundation early. Align everyone — stakeholders included — around this single document, so there’s no “but I thought we were doing this” mid-journey.

12. Draw to communicate, not to impress

Art exists for its intrinsic beauty, but design sketches exist to communicate ideas. When you’re brainstorming, don’t get lost in the details or try to make your sketches Pinterest-worthy. Instead sketch fast, sketch frugal, and get the conversation on decision making started, and hopefully, fewer people will ask if you’re planning to frame that.

13. Try sketching in orthography first

Most of the times, the initial decisions one needs to make regarding the design is about the silhouette, proportions and the higher level blocking of the form. Drawing perspective brings in added complexity and time taken for sketching. Keep perspective for after the fundamental decisions have been made, or to inform your orthographic sketches further.

14. Perfect the visuals

Humans notice the shiny stuff first. If it looks good, then, and only then, will they start caring about whether it works like magic. Your design is no good, no matter how functionally efficient, if its customer feels no delight in buying it off the shelf or off a website.

15. Visual language is called visual LANGUAGE for a reason

Visuals are not just for aesthetics — they are tools for communication. Marshall speakers’ retro design appeals to nostalgia while delivering modern sound, while IKEA’s minimalism resonates with those who value simplicity. Place a Tom Ford blazer next to a Nike blazer, and it’s clear which one’s for boardrooms and which one’s for burpees. Visuals don’t just attract; they tell a story.

16. Make it look like what it does

As a follow-up to that, make a door handle look like it wants to be held. Make a button look like it wants to be pressed. Make a chair look like it’s ready to support your tired butt. Objects should give off that “I do the thing you’re thinking about” vibe.

17. NURBS don’t always be NURBin’

Don’t rely solely on CAD and rendering software to design. A polished render doesn’t guarantee a great product. Build prototypes, test materials in real life, and get hands-on. Digital tools like ProCreate or Photoshop might offer perfect brushes, but quick paper sketches and sticky notes are better for brainstorming. Use software to refine details, not as your primary design space.

18. Prototype > Sketching

Get to hands-on mockups as soon as possible. You’re making a 3D object, not sketching one. Tinker as much as you can. A mockup communicates more than a sketch ever will.

19. Prototyping is a research method

Don’t prototype just to show off. Think of it as your design detective tool. When your sketches leave questions unanswered — like how a door handle should feel — prototype with purpose. Focus on things like size, texture, or finish, and make sure each prototype teaches you something valuable.

20. Let the product visuals have a clear focus

Pick one detail to steal the spotlight — make it the hero of your design. For example, with a speaker, maybe the buttons get a pop of colour, or if you keep them sleek and hidden, let the mesh take the stage. If everything’s shouting for attention, well, we know how we feel about attention seekers. Focus on what really matters, and let the rest chill in the background.

21. Lean onto those who can make it

Get engineers in the mix early — trust me, they’ll save you from designing a product that’s impossible or too expensive to make. If you’re a student, no worries — just ask your friends or family if they know any engineers. It’s like having a backstage pass to the manufacturing world, helping you avoid surprises later.

22. You already have a style

Stop trying to be the next Naoto Fukasawa or Karim Rashid. Your style is already shaped by your interests, experiences, and what naturally attracts you. Whether it’s the minimalism of Muji or the vibrant colours of Klimt, these preferences reveal your personal design language. As you work on more projects, pay attention to the colours, materials, textures, and forms that resonate with you, gradually piecing together the bigger picture of your unique style.

👋 See you later!

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In case you want to check out my work in the meantime, please visit my portfolio website here. I’m always open to chat about any new adventures, crazy ideas or just all things design on LinkedIn and Twitter.