Now is a good time to be a designer according to Gus Desbarats, BDI Chairman, in his article Open Communication in New Design. Companies need someone to interpret human behaviour and see how this will impact on the products and services they are offering. But while the majority of Industrial Designers have a very adaptable skill set, they don’t broadcast this loudly enough to clients.

As chairman of the BDI, Gus plays a key role in promoting Industrial Design. As a trade organisation that represents those in the fields of product, service and interaction design, BDI has always provided a valuable dialogue between designers, the government and business.

In the 1970s Industrial Design was about creating nice things that you liked; in the 1980s designers were thinking a little bit more about interaction; in the 1990s it was all about emphasising brand and now it’s all about complex multi-touch interaction, service relationships and user interface technology.

In today’s world, where branding, appearance, materials and up-to-date technology are so important, businesses need designers’ input into their products. Designers have the knowledge and experience to bring all these elements together. They have the creative talent to visualise what the user experience will be like in the future. They also understand manufacturing processes so that the products businesses aspire to are actually achievable. So they need to speak up a lot louder about the contribution they can make.

Industrial Designers occupy a particularly important position in today’s economy because they can help push manufacturing forward, using innovation to create growth. The BDI actively works to get designers connected, to get them speaking out and to create an on-going conversation between consultancies, the government and business.

In summary, Gus says: “The more members we have the more we can do for members. We’re joining together as an industry.”

Please click here to read the full article: New Design Magazine - Calling all Industrial Designers

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