Learn how to overcome the fear of failure in industrial design with practical steps for growth and resilience in your creative process.

The ID team I work with did “crit boards” as part of their training. Everyone creates a design they’re proud of, pins it to a board and then everyone else in the class gives feedback on areas for improvement. I really can’t think of a better way to separate your identity from your work and improve quickly.

Last updated on Jul 3, 2024

Here's how you can conquer the fear of failure in Industrial Design.

The fear of failure can be a significant roadblock in the journey of an industrial designer. However, embracing this fear and learning how to manage it can lead to growth and innovation in your work. In industrial design, where the creation of physical products requires a blend of creativity, engineering, and market understanding, the stakes can feel particularly high. But remember, every successful designer has faced failure at some point and has learned from it to improve their craft. The following sections will guide you through overcoming the fear of failure and turning it into a stepping stone for success.

1 Embrace Risk

In industrial design, taking risks is essential for innovation. Start by redefining your perspective on failure; see it as a natural part of the creative process. Instead of fearing the unknown, embrace the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn and refine your ideas. When you approach design challenges with a willingness to take calculated risks, you open the door to unique solutions and breakthroughs that wouldn't be possible if you played it safe.

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Rachael Hannah

Industrial Designer, Business Owner
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The design process approach I like implementing for taking risks is called the "Wild to Mild Process." In this ideation and concept exploration phase, the designer pushes the boundaries of what a product can be and then narrows the focus to that which is practical, feasible, fulfills criteria, and manages constraints. Especially in the American corporate mindset, we share this belief that a failure is just a failure (a lack of efficiency and a lack of skill) - however, when we are able to find the success in failure we are driven to innovation. Success in failure can look like: proper implementation of critical thinking and analysis, gaining actionable insights, and ensuring compliance with all constraints.

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2 Reflect Often

Regular reflection on your design process is crucial. Analyze both successful projects and those that didn't meet expectations. What went right? What could have been better? By understanding your design decisions and their outcomes, you'll gain valuable insights that can reduce the likelihood of repeating mistakes. This reflective practice builds resilience and a more nuanced understanding of how to navigate the complexities of industrial design.

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3 Seek Feedback

Constructive criticism is a powerful tool for growth. Share your designs with peers, mentors, and even users to gain diverse perspectives. Their feedback can provide you with new ideas and highlight areas for improvement that you might have overlooked. Remember, feedback is not a personal attack but a resource that can significantly enhance the quality and usability of your designs.

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Tony Kelbert

Engineer, etc. | Can eat a Chipotle burrito without dropping anything
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The ID team I work with did “crit boards” as part of their training. Everyone creates a design they’re proud of, pins it to a board and then everyone else in the class gives feedback on areas for improvement. I really can’t think of a better way to separate your identity from your work and improve quickly.

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4 Iterate Relentlessly

Industrial design is an iterative process. Don't expect perfection from your first draft. Instead, focus on creating multiple iterations of your design, each time incorporating feedback and lessons learned from previous versions. This approach not only improves the final product but also helps you become more comfortable with the idea of initial failure as part of the path to success.

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Francisco Manuel Vallecillo Cuevas
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El proceso de iterar en el diseño debe ser un enfoque compartido por todo el equipo, no solo por el diseñador. En muchos proyectos, realizar varias iteraciones no siempre es posible debido a limitaciones de coste, tiempo o recursos. Además, es esencial contar con un entorno de prueba adecuado que permita realizar múltiples iteraciones y compararlas efectivamente. Es crucial recoger información verdaderamente relevante sobre el diseño, ya que en ocasiones es fácil perder el foco y valorar aspectos menos importantes en relación al objetivo principal del proyecto. Solo con la colaboración y compromiso de todo el equipo, se puede optimizar el proceso de diseño iterativo y alcanzar resultados de alta calidad.

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5 Focus on Learning

Shift your focus from fearing failure to valuing learning. Every design project, whether successful or not, offers a wealth of knowledge. By concentrating on what each experience can teach you, you'll find that fear diminishes and is replaced by curiosity and a drive to improve. This learning mindset is key to long-term success in industrial design.

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Francisco Manuel Vallecillo Cuevas
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A lo largo de mi carrera, he creado un documento llamado "Lecciones Aprendidas", donde he recopilado conceptos y consejos adquiridos a través de la experiencia. Muchas veces, escribía justo después de cometer un error, casi como un acto de reflexión. Al centrarme en aprender de esos errores, lograba mitigar la sensación de culpa y fracaso que normalmente los acompaña. Revisar este documento regularmente me ha permitido ver los errores con perspectiva, aprendiendo a relativizar su importancia y entendiendo que muchas de esas situaciones no eran tan significativas como parecían en su momento.

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6 Stay Persistent

Persistence is the hallmark of any successful designer. When faced with setbacks, don't give up. Use them as fuel to push forward and overcome challenges. Remember, every failure is a step closer to mastering your craft. With determination and a positive attitude, you'll find that what once seemed like insurmountable failures become valuable lessons that contribute to your growth as an industrial designer.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can conquer the fear of failure in Industrial Design.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Risk

2 Reflect Often

3 Seek Feedback

4 Iterate Relentlessly

5 Focus on Learning

6 Stay Persistent

7 Here’s what else to consider

Industrial Design

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Here's how you can conquer the fear of failure in Industrial Design.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Risk

2 Reflect Often

3 Seek Feedback

4 Iterate Relentlessly

5 Focus on Learning

6 Stay Persistent

7 Here’s what else to consider

Industrial Design

Rate this article

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