Having a strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is the key to achieve harmony between creative concepts and manufacturing limitations. Many industrial designers who do not have a strong grasp of DFM practices struggle in the field and usually become a commodity for the engineering teams since they have to spend precious time trying to make sense of the design with a high chance of compromising the aesthetics. The comprehension of processes of manufacturing are as essential to a designer as a saw is to a carpenter- these processes have a great role in informing the design details, materials, finishes and even the end user experience.

One of the fun things about being an industrial designer is that we get to learn about so many different ways things are made! I took a bunch of shop classes while searching for a major. It was fun! One day the main shop teacher took me and another student aside and told us both that we didn't belong at that school. What! He said we both needed to go to a design college that he also taught at. It was life changing. I also don't understand how you can design something if you don't understand the basics of how it is manufactured. 🤓

To harmonise creativity with manufacturing limitations within industrial design & manufacutring, embrace constraints as opportunities for innovation and prioritise both functionality and aesthetics. Collaborate early with manufacturing teams to understand their capabilities and leverage technology for prototyping and testing to refine your designs. Continually educating yourself on manufacturing processes and practising creative problem-solving, you can find the perfect balance between form and function. This approach not only leads to unique and practical designs but also ensures they are feasible to produce, allowing your creative passion to shine while meeting real-world challenges.