Product design is an industry with a plethora of capabilities. Professionals that specialize in product design are often required to think outside the box to innovate, create, and apply their knowledge. In short, everything we can see, touch and use in a utilitarian sense is a product (pun intended) of product design.
Recent studies show that product design has a predominant role in the economy as well. More than 50% of new job openings in manufacturing are strictly targeted towards product design. Creating a new piece of furniture or a vehicle wouldn’t be possible without CAM or CAD software, however. With that in mind, let’s take a look at several software applications and website that can help aid in product design. These can not only make the entire process easier to learn but also more straightforward in the long run.
The field of industrial design has a lot to offer when it comes to software applications. One of the easiest-to-learn and most comprehensive tools for that purpose is Red Dot. Red Dot is a smartphone app with pre-built assets and repositories ready for the design of new products.
It represents the perfect jumping off point for new product designers and people who are interested in product design in general. Chris Mercer, a frequent user of Supreme Dissertations, said recently: “I strongly believe that minimalistic and approachable design takes precedent over complex and robust UI."
2. Behance
Behance is not a software application as much as it is a networking platform. People that want to learn more about product design should affiliate themselves with Behance as soon as possible.
The platform allows you to meet professional designers, learn more about their work, reach out to them and showcase your own creations. There is no better way to learn about product design than by following in the footsteps of those who came before you.
Every good design starts from sketches. To that end, Learn Design Sketching is a software application geared towards product design students and beginners.
It allows for a multitude of options in regards to sketching, planning and drawing of product models. The application also covers all of the basic knowledge and information needed for successful ongoing product design.
Just like with any other profession, communities are gathering around product design. Morpholio is one of the largest growing online communities geared towards product and industrial design. Their Trace application is designed with templates and baseline drawings that are built on by each member of the community.
You can easily start developing new ideas and projects as well as get valuable insight from industry professionals through Morpholio. Daniela McVicker, a writer at Hot Essay Service, spoke of the importance of community recently: “I love working in a team because it brings out the best in me. I could never see myself working independently after so many years in a professional writing agency.”
As the name suggests, this software application aims to introduce materials and processes to future product designers. It’s quite easy to learn which products are made of which materials, as well as their base values and structures.
This app is quite handy even for seasoned product designers since it encompasses a wide range of material categories as well as their derivatives. You can also learn how each material is processed and used in further product design processes, always a nice plus.
As one of the most comprehensive product design and engineering applications on the market, Pro ENGINEER Wildfire has a lot to offer. The app is based around CAD and CAM design logic, meaning that engineers also have a way of understanding the basic processes.
Some of the most comprehensive features in Wildfire include complete product design sketching and assembly as well as photorealistic rendering capabilities. The application might be more difficult to master than most but it represents one of the pinnacles of the product design industry.
Product designers are thinkers and creative professionals by trade. Their job is to find ways to create something new at low cost and fast manufacture times.
To that end, Invention Calculator aims to ease this difficulty for newcomers to the profession. You can use Invention Calculator to calculate the potential and realistic costs of newly-created products. The app features international localization, meaning that you can use it effectively no matter where you are.
8. AutoCAD 360
While desktop AutoCAD applications allow for numerous product design options, their mobile offering doesn’t lag behind too much. Beginners in product design and engineering will be happy to hear that AutoCAD has an official mobile app.
This application allows for more than meets the eye, with all of the desktop offerings available in one form or another. You can design new product schematics, preview rudimentary 3D renderings and work in a fully offline environment.
9. eDrawings
As the arguably easiest way to produce new design solutions, eDrawings is one-of-a-kind in its offering. The tool is suitable for both amateurs and professionals. It boasts intuitive UI with an easy-to-manage work environment.
You can draw 2D schematics and seamlessly preview your work in 3D. One of the latest additions to eDrawings is the implementation of AR preview modes for better immersion and design workflow.
Lastly, beginners in product design should be aware of the nature of their profession. No designer works individually, which is why GrabCAD Workbench is a great tool for collaboration and file management.
Workbench is a CAD collaboration tool that works the way engineers do. It offers full set cloud collaboration to ensure that you and your team can find the CAD files you need, avoid duplicating work, and solicit input from everyone who has a stake in the project.
Long-term Software Solutions (Conclusion)
The tools listed above are perfect for beginners and curious individuals ready to take on product design. Amanda Sparks, writer and blogger for Flash Essay and Get Good Grade weighed in with a quote: “The journey from amateur to professional is very slippery. It’s important to choose the right tools and platforms for personal development as soon as possible.”
While you should definitely give all of these tools a chance, make sure to choose the ones that suit you early on. Stick to your favorites and build a skillset that will allow you to land a competitive job in today’s global market.
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