Mission statement IDEE
Industrial Design Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology (IDEE)
The Eindhoven University of Technology started in September 2001 the education and research in the field of Industrial Design Engineering. Since the field of Industrial Design Engineering is part of a vital and expanding university, there are particularly good circumstances for education and research at the highest level. Characteristics are: a close co-operation with industry in realistic projects, numerous external lecturers from business and the university, and a creative study-environment with a high quality of equipment.
The course in Industrial Design Engineering is keyed to the creation process of high-technological industrial products, product systems and complete environments. Above all the new field is concerned in product creation with emphasis on usage. This means that production and consumer goods, health and medical/technical equipment, transport systems and tele-communication equipment can all form parts of various product creation projects.
Multi-disciplinary: as well engineer as artist
A well functioning entity is achieved by considering functional, aesthetic, ergonomic, technical and marketing demands. The Industrial Design Engineer works closely with industry and with the market. The Design Engineer must be well acquainted with industrial working methods in different operational fields. In order to co-operate with engineers and production technicians, the product creationer must have important technical skills and is trained as well in artificial design. The course is therefore multi-disciplinary - both artistic and technical in character.
User-system interaction
Industrial Design Engineering is concerned with cultivating the interaction between person and object in the research, development and design of industrially produced products. The product creationer is a specialist with knowledge of the interaction between person and object, and can apply methods to investigate this relationship. Observations of the person/object interface form the point of departure for product creation.
Information- and communication-technology
The world we live in is becoming steadily more complex and technologically advanced. Information- and communication-technology (embedded systems) plays an important role. Users place increasing demands that objects, work-tools and workplaces be attractive and easy to use. Industrial Design Engineering can therefore have considerable influence in the creation of products and environments by supplying knowledge of humans as users. By beginning with anthropometrics, evidence of movement patterns and working position - or simple studies of how users behave in a certain situation, valuable information can be obtained as a base for further development. When groups of users are able to evaluate full scaled models, dummies or working models, ergonomics and user-interfaces become a natural part of the product creation process. It is important for the Industrial Design Engineer to be able to work with different types of models and mock-ups. Direct problem solving using three dimensional, full scale models is a creative, quick and effective method of development. This methods demands craftsmanship and the ability to work with different types of materials and machines.
Function, appearance and form
Appearance is also essential and often has a close connection with function. In certain cases appearance originates in functions of use. In other cases it is an expression of a quality or a characteristic. Knowledge of the design and creative process is the key to an Industrial Design Engineer's professional competence.
With a product's function as a starting point it is essential to give the constituent parts suitable form. Simplifying, co-coordinating or bringing together different parts or components in a new way forms a conscious creative process. The intention can often be to give a certain expression or quality to a product. Characteristics such as lightness and flexibility, weight and stability, power or quality and durability can be expressed.
Sustainability and new materials
In a creative, innovative process the Industrial Design Engineer experiments with different constructions, materials, components and production methods in new combinations. Eventually a well functioning and aesthetically attractive solution is reached based on how people use the product.
The aesthetic aspect is one of many in product creation, and its importance can vary between different product groups. In certain cases aesthetic issues are decisive, whilst in others they are of lesser importance.
Industrial Design Engineering forms the unity of many functions and disciplines.