Photo by Olia Gozha
On more that one occasion now I've wanted to use a word that is not in common vernacular, but not wanted to explain what the word means. I figured it was time to start a glossary, and will build it out as I find new words I want to use but not describe.
B
Blank Page Syndrome
Also known as Writer's Block. The inability to start because you don't know where or how to. Often leads to procrastination and stress.
There's plenty of ways to combat Blank Page Syndrome, including accepting it won't be a perfect or even good start, going for a walk, or doing the minimum viable effort to get the ball rolling.
D
Design Spectrum
A personal theory of mine that Industrial Design is not one thing, but sits on a spectrum between pure engineering and pure art. While most traditional Industrial Design sits somewhere in the middle, individual roles and skill sets can slide anywhere along the spectrum between the two.
A more sophisticated model might be a triad of engineering, art, and psychology. To an extent, all design exploits psychology towards certain ends. However this is more dominant is some disciplines over others. One example may be wayfinding design, where psychology plays an outsized role compared to art or engineering.
Designosaur
A semi-derogatory term used for older designers. Often used in reference to their inability to change with the times, or be inflexible with other peoples approaches to design. Sometimes problematic when a designosaur is in a position of authority, which they usually are.
DFM
Acronym for Design for Manufacture. Usually a later stage within the design process specifically to refine the design for manufacturing. To do it properly usually means working with a manufacturer or other tooling expert to collaborate on the details. An important step to reduce the cost and increase the quality of the final product.
E
EE
Electrical Engineer or Electrical Engineering.
G
Gunna
An Australian sometimes-derogatory term used to describe a person who often talks about what they're gunna (as in, going to) do, but invariably does none of it. "He's a bit of a Gunna, that guy".
I
ID
Acronym for Industrial Design. Also IDer can be used for Industrial Designer.
ISO 13485
An international standard defining the implementation and operation of a quality management system. Based on ISO 9001, but with some additional features, most notably the inclusion of post-market surveillance. That is, monitoring how your products are performing in the market. The FDA's 21 CFR 820 is similar.
ISO 14971
An international standard defining the processes for risk management, intended to reduce the risk of the device to as low as possible. Includes details on hazard analysis, risk assessment, and tracing the outcomes of those through the development process. The sister standard to ISO 13485, equally essential the medical devices.
M
MVP
Acronym for Minimum Viable Product. A market-ready product with the most reduced feature set possible while still maintaining its essential performance and safety. Used to prove the device and market fit. Future or additional models then come with additional features. Different, the POC, the MVP is usually intended for sale.
P
POC
Acronym for Proof Of Concept. Often the very first prototype one builds to test an idea will work. Very rough and cheap, often built with off-the-shelf components as much as possible.
Q
QMS
Acronym for Quality Management System. A set of processes that ensure quality throughout the company, product development, and manufacturing. An essential part of medical devices.
QoL
Abbreviation for Quality of Life. In the design sense, often refers to improvements in design that make life a little easier for the user. This can be through added functionality or feedback, changes to ergonomics or UX, or simplifying use. QoL improvements are often subtle, and sometimes add very little cost to the product, other than the design needed to realise them.
U
UI
An acronym for User Interface. Most often what you see on screen.
UX
An acronym for User Experience. Often mistaken for UI, but is much more broad and very often includes human interface elements that extend beyond the screen. This can include physical buttons and sliders, but also tactile, auditory, and ergonomic inputs and outputs.
