Beginner Product Design

1 

Introduction to Product Design & Sketching Fundamentals

• Objective: Understand the basics of product design and start with foundational sketching techniques.

• Topics Covered:

• Overview of the product design process: from concept to production.

• Introduction to design thinking and problem-solving.

• Basic sketching materials and tools.

• Introduction to line quality, shape, and form sketching.

• Activity: Practice sketching basic geometric shapes and forms.

• Homework: Sketch simple product concepts (e.g., bottles, cups) using basic shapes.

2

Understanding Proportions & Scale

• Objective: Learn about the importance of proportions and how to scale designs.

• Topics Covered:

• Proportions and measurements in product design.

• Understanding scale: translating real-world dimensions into sketches.

• Creating proportion grids and applying them to product concepts.

• Activity: Sketch product concepts (e.g., kitchen utensils, gadgets) with an emphasis on correct proportions.

• Homework: Create 3 side-view sketches of different-sized products (small, medium, large).

3

Exploring Form & Shape Development

• Objective: Explore form development and how shapes define a product's visual identity.

• Topics Covered:

• Form exploration: smooth vs angular, organic vs geometric shapes.

• The relationship between form and function.

• Developing variations of form from a single concept.

• Activity: Create multiple form variations for a basic product (e.g., water bottle, chair).

• Homework: Design 2 different product concepts focusing on varied shapes.

4

Introduction to Product Ideation & Concept Sketching

• Objective: Begin developing original product ideas and translating them into concept sketches.

• Topics Covered:

• Ideation techniques: brainstorming, mind mapping, and rapid sketching.

• Translating ideas into clear, rough sketches.

• Capturing the essence of a product's purpose and function through sketching.

• Activity: Ideate and sketch 3 product concepts within a specific category (e.g., tech gadgets, kitchenware).

• Homework: Refine one of the concepts sketched during class into a more detailed sketch.

5

Sketching in Perspective

• Objective: Learn how to sketch products in perspective for more dynamic and realistic representations.

• Topics Covered:

• Introduction to 1-point and 2-point perspective.

• How perspective helps in understanding 3D form on a 2D plane.

• Application of perspective to basic product shapes.

• Activity: Practice sketching simple products in both 1-point and 2-point perspective.

• Homework: Create 3 perspective sketches of different product concepts.

6

Material Exploration & Surface Textures

• Objective: Understand how to represent different materials and surface finishes in your sketches.

• Topics Covered:

• Introduction to common product materials (plastic, metal, wood, etc.).

• Techniques for sketching and rendering different textures.

• The role of material choice in product function and aesthetics.

• Activity: Sketch product concepts and experiment with representing different materials and textures.

• Homework: Develop 2 sketches with an emphasis on representing different material textures.

7

Rendering Basics for Product Design

• Objective: Introduce basic shading and rendering techniques to add depth and realism to product sketches.

• Topics Covered:

• Shading techniques: hatching, gradients, and smooth shading.

• Understanding light and shadow in relation to form.

• Adding highlights and reflections to enhance the realism of product designs.

• Activity: Render one of your previous sketches, focusing on light and shadow.

• Homework: Complete a fully-rendered sketch, focusing on light, shadow, and surface reflection.

8

Ergonomics & Human-Centered Design

• Objective: Explore the role of ergonomics and user experience in product design.

• Topics Covered:

• The importance of user comfort and interaction in product design.

• Basic principles of ergonomics and human factors.

• Designing products that are both functional and user-friendly.

• Activity: Design a hand-held product (e.g., tool, remote) with a focus on ergonomics.

• Homework: Sketch 2 ergonomic product concepts, focusing on user interaction and comfort.

9

Concept Refinement & Detailed Sketching

• Objective: Refine initial concepts and add detailed features to the design.

• Topics Covered:

• Adding fine details such as buttons, seams, textures, and connections to products.

• How to incorporate branding and styling elements into a design.

• Balancing aesthetics and function in detailed sketches.

• Activity: Refine one of your previous product sketches, focusing on adding intricate details.

• Homework: Finalize a detailed version of one concept for the final presentation.

10

Final Project & Presentation

• Objective: Present a fully-developed product concept for critique and feedback.

• Topics Covered:

• How to create a professional product design presentation.

• Communicating your design process, from ideation to final concept.

• Peer and instructor feedback to refine your portfolio work.

• Activity: Present your final product design concept to the class.

• Homework: Refine your final design based on feedback and prepare it for your portfolio.

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Key Deliverables

• Product Sketches: A collection of product sketches demonstrating form development, perspective, and proportion.

• Rendered Concepts: Completed product sketches rendered with shading and material exploration.

• Portfolio-Ready Work: A final, fully-detailed and rendered product concept.