Industrial design can be said as the blend between applied art & science. This is used to improve the beauty, ergonomics and usability of goods so that their production and marketability can be enhanced. Design engineering can be said as the general term that includes an assortment of disciplines within it. A few of the engineering disciplines that come within the range of design engineering are architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and civil engineering.

Industrial design

The fundamental qualification needed by a student to join the graduate course in industrial design is a pass in class 12. Both graduate as well as postgraduate courses are offered in industrial design. To join the postgraduate course, the candidates will be needed to write the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) exam. The syllabus for the course in industrial design will include subjects such as:

• Computer-Aided Design
• Industrial Materials And Processes
• Manufacturing Methods
• Principles Of Design
• Sketching

Apart from this, some classes in anthropology, psychology, engineering, mathematics and physical sciences will also included.  There are numerous job opportunities available for students once they finish their studies. They can begin as a trainee with leading companies with an experience of 1 to 3 years; they can progress to positions of higher levels. Experienced designers can get employment as chief designers in addition to head of the design department etc. It is also possible for industrial designers to start their own consultancies.

Design engineering

The basic qualification that is needed by a person to join the graduate course in Design Engineering is a pass in class XII. They must have taken the science discipline. It is also required for them to have a good knowledge in computer programming. After finishing their studies, they can opt for higher studies or get employment with leading firms. Employment opportunities for them are not only available in India, but abroad also. With more knowledge and expertise in this field, they will be able to rise quickly to higher positions. Some of the job titles that are available for candidates of this field are:

• Electronics Engineer
• Instrumentation Engineer
• Mechatronics Engineer
• Product Engineer

Key differentiators between Industrial Design and Design Engineering

The key differentiators between Industrial Design & Design Engineering are:

• While industrial designing is concerned with the conceptual aesthetic and ergonomic features of a design, Design Engineering is about the development of the preliminary design as the most crucial parts of a product.
• Design aspects that are mentioned by an industrial designer may comprise of the general contour of the object, its design, the location of its many details such as color, sound, consistency etc.
• Design Engineering is that discipline which makes and alters ideas as well as concepts into the product that fulfills all the requirements of a customer.

Both industrial design and design engineering has vital roles in today’s society. While industrial design can be said as applied art, Design Engineering can be viewed as a discipline.