Core77
- Topics
- Features
- Awards
- Jobs
-
Firms
- Firms
- Search Firms;
- Firm Projects
- Forums
-
More...
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- About
- Terms of Use
Exploring the Dangers of Industrial Design Instagram Influencers
As a student, I initially interpreted designers "detox" of beautiful sketches as what ID really is. After doing work in the field, I've realized sexy sketches are not needed. When I first started, I thought my bosses sketches were rough. And they are! But they communicate what's necessary in order to model / prototype a product. Great article Paul!
If one is still stressed about the popularity of instagram designers, it is important to remember that the real battle is not being held on instagram. A couple of likes and a spread on leManoosh are not the highest achievements in the design world. The aspiring youth currently yearning towards spicy keyshot renders and speckled CMF will soon learn that the real battle, as it always has been, is in the domain of selling real products. In the real market, products must be visually proficient, yes, but they must also be manufacturable, cost effective, targeted and reliable. No one, not even Nick P Baker, can take that from the economy at large. It is here where only a real complete and holistic approach to the whole design process can win.
While I think it's harsh to single out one person to make your point, I frankly, couldn't agree more. Love your blog post on this.
Good points in here Paul. As one of the "influencers" (ugh that word), I feel like I should chime in. Like you said, a lot of designers use instagram as a way to experiment and play around with ideas that we can't do in our day jobs. Discouraging this unfettered creativity based on the idea that someone has a responsibility to their followers would be disappointing and not beneficial for anyone. I really appreciate you proposing that the responsibility and critical thinking be shared with the followers as well. If anyone is interested to hear a bit more about this topic, we recorded a podcast episode about this idea of instagram deception.
Oooh great topic!
I think like other professions or interests that spark a community on Instagram, the posts are much more about the dream and illusions we tell ourselves about those topics than reality. And to a certain extent, that's fine. But thanks for the reminder that designer Instagram is not what actual design is. Designy content that gets high engagement doesn't mean it's actually a viable product or even good portfolio work.
I think for a lot of people that post, it can be about justifying the hardworking lifestyle and sacrifices that allowed to achieve some degree of success in a highly competitive industry by glamorizing it.
With that said it's not all bad. Some of this work can be inspirational in different ways, as long as you take it with a grain of salt. I've personally came across a really supportive community of folks applying computational design to sneakers. It's been great to share notes and seeing how peers are pushing the envelope. With that said, few in that community would be considered influencers...
For design students and the design curious, I yearn for the popularity of the Project section of the Core77 forum. It seems most now use IG for that purpose. I remember a few years back students and professionals taking on side projects would use that forum as an interactive log of their development. You'd see a lot more of the actual work and the feedback would be meaningful with people sending sketches and markups in. I always feel like a creepy maniac if I post a comment on IG that's more than 2 sentences long.
Balance your influencing influencers with the blue foam dust insta, and all will be forgiven.
Dumb snark aside, one aspect that does seem somewhat irresponsible is that the majority of 'influencer' projects are bite-sized for immediate consumption, processing, and within-second emulation. This is how influencing works: it has to be timely, it has to be digestible in a little square photo or video. A project that takes 3 years - as many projects do - will just not engender a significant degree of influence. (would love it if someone can correct me on this.)
One of the best description of ID influencers I've seen. It also applies to everything art, and the ugly truth is that if an influencer wants to generate the most amount of interest (likes, follows etc), that person has to create and post content on a daily basis, which is not a time frame that's realistic for most industrial design projects. So we end up with a platform that has a format encouraging 30minutes-1hr quick renderings and sketches that have no use in the real world.
@Addvanced add me like and follow bro!