1 answer
Wyatt
Student
Castle Rock, Washington
1
Question
Updated
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How can I, as an industrial designer create products everyone can use? #fall25
I want to be able to create helpful products that are accessible and useful for everyone. I enjoy creating products using my different skills in woodworking, blacksmithing, and 3D-Modeling. But I'm curious how I could use those to make meaningful and useful products.
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1 answer
✨ Danuta Chapin, MFA
Designer and Art Director
17
Answers
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Updated
✨ Danuta’s Answer
Hello Wyatt! Great question for a designer who wants to make a real impact.
Let’s break it down, so you can see how your skills can translate into accessible, meaningful products.
- Universal Design: Create products usable by the widest range of people, regardless of age, ability, or background. Think ramps instead of stairs, or handles that work for both left- and right-handed users.
- Accessibility: Consider people with limited mobility, vision, or strength. Products should reduce barriers.
- Simplicity & Intuition: A product should “explain itself” — users shouldn’t need a manual to figure out how to use it.
- Durability & Sustainability: Products that last longer and use sustainable materials are more meaningful and responsible, and most of all are produced green and are good for the planet.
Using your skills.
- Woodworking: Natural materials are warm, tactile. You could design ergonomic furniture that supports different body types.
- Blacksmithing: Metalwork gives strength and durability. You could create adaptive tools with reinforced grips or adjustable features.
- 3D Modeling: Digital prototyping lets you test accessibility features before making physical versions. You can simulate how different users interact with your product.
Now, combine and blend them!
Examples
- Adaptive Kitchen Tools: A cutting board with raised edges and non-slip grips for people with limited dexterity. Woodworking gives warmth, metal adds durability, and 3D modeling helps refine the ergonomics.
- Inclusive Seating: Chairs with adjustable seat heights and armrests, designed to support both children and adults, or people with mobility challenges.
- Multi-Sensory Toys: Wooden toys with textured metal inlays and 3D-printed components that stimulate touch, sight, and sound — for children with developmental differences.
- Public Furniture: Benches with varying seat heights and back support, designed for parks so everyone (elderly, children, differently abled) can use them comfortably.
How to Start
1. Watch how different people struggle with everyday objects. What frustrates them? What delights them?
2. Use your 3D modeling skills to test ideas before committing to wood or metal.
3. Accessibility isn’t theoretical — test, feedback from diverse groups is essential.
4. Small refinements often make the biggest difference in usability.
Designing for extremes benefits everyone. For example, if you design a tool that works for someone with arthritis, it will also be more comfortable for someone without it.
Smart devices were originally designed to assist people with vision or hearing impairments — yet today, their intuitive features benefit all of us. Inclusive design doesn't just help some; it elevates the experience for everyone.
Remember, nothing is perfect, nor will it fit all. Move forward and good luck!
Let’s break it down, so you can see how your skills can translate into accessible, meaningful products.
- Universal Design: Create products usable by the widest range of people, regardless of age, ability, or background. Think ramps instead of stairs, or handles that work for both left- and right-handed users.
- Accessibility: Consider people with limited mobility, vision, or strength. Products should reduce barriers.
- Simplicity & Intuition: A product should “explain itself” — users shouldn’t need a manual to figure out how to use it.
- Durability & Sustainability: Products that last longer and use sustainable materials are more meaningful and responsible, and most of all are produced green and are good for the planet.
Using your skills.
- Woodworking: Natural materials are warm, tactile. You could design ergonomic furniture that supports different body types.
- Blacksmithing: Metalwork gives strength and durability. You could create adaptive tools with reinforced grips or adjustable features.
- 3D Modeling: Digital prototyping lets you test accessibility features before making physical versions. You can simulate how different users interact with your product.
Now, combine and blend them!
Examples
- Adaptive Kitchen Tools: A cutting board with raised edges and non-slip grips for people with limited dexterity. Woodworking gives warmth, metal adds durability, and 3D modeling helps refine the ergonomics.
- Inclusive Seating: Chairs with adjustable seat heights and armrests, designed to support both children and adults, or people with mobility challenges.
- Multi-Sensory Toys: Wooden toys with textured metal inlays and 3D-printed components that stimulate touch, sight, and sound — for children with developmental differences.
- Public Furniture: Benches with varying seat heights and back support, designed for parks so everyone (elderly, children, differently abled) can use them comfortably.
How to Start
1. Watch how different people struggle with everyday objects. What frustrates them? What delights them?
2. Use your 3D modeling skills to test ideas before committing to wood or metal.
3. Accessibility isn’t theoretical — test, feedback from diverse groups is essential.
4. Small refinements often make the biggest difference in usability.
Designing for extremes benefits everyone. For example, if you design a tool that works for someone with arthritis, it will also be more comfortable for someone without it.
Smart devices were originally designed to assist people with vision or hearing impairments — yet today, their intuitive features benefit all of us. Inclusive design doesn't just help some; it elevates the experience for everyone.
Remember, nothing is perfect, nor will it fit all. Move forward and good luck!