I N T HI S I SSUE
UNDERSTAND THE PAST, ENVISION THE FUTURE
A
core purpose of INNOVATION has always been to serve as a vehicle for the latest industrial design news, trends, and insights. In its early days, this publication was literally one of the only places to get that kind of content about our profession. Now, with the ubiquity of the internet, our access to information is nearly unlimited. Yet, INNOVATION has endured as a centerpiece of the IDSA program portfolio and as a valued historical account, told by those who lived it, of an organization and profession simultaneously defining and redefining its own boundaries. As the industrial design profession continuously shifts and evolves to keep pace with advancements in technology, cultural trends, and socioeconomic forces, once siloed disciplines, methodologies, and skill sets now overlap and blur into what is often called simply design. INNOVATION can be a space to celebrate these deep interconnections all while amplifying the unique and bold voices of industrial designers. Industrial Design: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow is a compilation of articles that highlight various aspects of the industrial design practice across a spectrum of time and provide insight into how designers are working today to prepare for what’s ahead. We’ve asked authors to provide practical tips and action items about their selected topic along with vivid visuals, which supply additional value to each article. For example, don’t tell us why design research is important; tell us how to run a successful design research program and turn insights into industrial design success. It’s only through knowledge exchange and the sharing of ideas that readers come away with a fresh perspective and
4
IDSA.ORG
actionable insights ready to be implemented into their work. In keeping with the theme, INNOVATION has teamed up with Brian Paschke, creative lead at Google/Fitbit, for an exclusive four-part series to highlight the importance and impact of visual design language systems in industrial design. In this issue, Brian shares an in-depth look at the Fitbit design language system called “Biologic.” The system is inspired by and designed for the human body, providing the design team the flexibility to frame problems, explore forms, deliver wide-ranging concepts, develop packaging, select materials, and more. For the remaining issues of 2022, Brian will interview designers to learn more about how top global brands are building and implementing visual design language systems. We are also excited to introduce what we hope will become a longstanding, recurring column titled “ID Essay.” (Hint: Say it aloud; it sounds like I-D-S-A!) It will feature behind-the-scenes stories about products as told by the people who designed them. Steven Umbach, FIDSA, is curating this series, which will predominantly feature stories by members of IDSA’s Academy of Fellows. Steven has written the premier essay, sharing the details behind his design of the Kurxweil 250 electronic keyboard. With the ID Essay column, we hope to provide a glimpse into the designer’s frame of mind and uncover rare archival sketches, renderings, and prototype images of days gone by. Enjoy. —INNOVATION Editorial Team
