Design Fields: Communication, Environmental and Industrial
Three fields, one language
Candidates must distinguish the three design fields by purpose, output and considerations, while recognising shared elements and principles.
Communication design
Persuades, informs or identifies through print, screen and environmental graphics: branding, packaging, editorial, advertising, wayfinding, interface design. Key considerations: audience, message clarity, typography, hierarchy, medium.
Environmental design
Shapes interiors, exhibitions, retail, landscape and public spaces. Key considerations: human scale, circulation, ergonomics, lighting, materials, sustainability, accessibility, building codes.
Industrial design
Designs manufactured products - furniture, appliances, tools, transport. Key considerations: function, ergonomics, materials and manufacturing processes, safety standards, sustainability, lifecycle, cost.
Common traps
- Mislabelling a field (e.g. calling packaging industrial design).
- Ignoring the manufacturing or construction reality of a concept.
- Overlooking accessibility and safety requirements.
- Describing appearance only, without function or user interaction.
Rule of thumb
Ask: who uses it, where, and how is it made? Communication → message and audience; environmental → space and movement; industrial → product and production.
Worked example
A new café: communication design delivers the logo, menu and signage; environmental design plans seating layout, circulation and lighting; industrial design develops the custom counter stool, considering ergonomics, joinery and durability.