Artificial intelligence (AI) has driven significant transformations across various professional fields, and design is no exception. Early discussions often revolved around the possibility of AI replacing designers. However, over time, it has become clear that its real value lies in complementing and enhancing human capabilities—not replacing them.
At Blaster Design, we use the Double Diamond framework from the British Design Council to structure our industrial design processes. This methodology helps us deeply understand challenges, generate relevant ideas, and deliver impactful solutions. By integrating artificial intelligence tools, we’ve been able to optimize every stage of the process—from research to final delivery.
Below, we’ll walk you through how we apply AI in each phase of the industrial design process, with practical examples and recommended tools.
The Double Diamond: A Clear Methodology for Solving Complex Problems
The Double Diamond is divided into four key stages:
- Discover
- Define
- Develop
- Deliver
This approach provides a clear path from problem exploration to solution implementation, moving through moments of divergence (broadening possibilities) and convergence (focusing and deciding). In the context of industrial design, this methodology helps maintain a balance between creativity, analysis, and technical feasibility.
1. Discover
This first stage aims to understand the problem from multiple angles. It involves gathering information, observing behaviors, analyzing trends, and exploring context deeply. It’s a critical phase that lays the foundation for a well-directed industrial design process.
AI tools useful in this phase:
- ChatGPT: allows us to expand secondary research, synthesize complex information, draft interview guides, and generate exploratory questions.
- Notion AI: helps centralize all project documentation, using AI to organize, summarize, and track tasks efficiently.
- NotebookLM: excellent for conducting research with cited sources, delivering up-to-date and reliable data as well as audio summaries.
- Transkriptor: if interviews are conducted, this tool automatically transcribes and summarizes conversations, making post-analysis much easier.
2. Define
In this stage, the information gathered is analyzed to identify patterns, extract key insights, and clearly define the problem to be solved. A strong strategic definition is crucial for an effective and focused industrial design process.
AI tools useful in this phase:
- ChatGPT: helps draft problem statements, build user personas, and explore different strategic angles.
- Miro + AI: enables collaborative diagramming with AI-powered features for clustering insights, building empathy maps, and organizing information visually.
3. Develop
Once the problem is clearly defined, this stage focuses on ideation, prototyping, and exploring possible solutions. Keeping an open mind is key to feeding the creative engine of the industrial design process.
AI tools useful in this phase:
- MidJourney: generates conceptual product images and scenarios that help visualize styles, materials, shapes, and aesthetic combinations.
- Vizcom.ai: turns hand-drawn sketches into high-quality digital renders. It also generates basic 3D models automatically.
- Runway ML: creates rapid animations or visual mockups that help communicate ideas effectively, even in early design stages.
4. Deliver
In the final stage, the selected solution is refined and turned into high-quality deliverables such as 3D models, renders, or functional prototypes. This step is essential for closing the industrial design process professionally and communicating the project’s value effectively.
AI tools useful in this phase:
- SketchUp / Shapr3D + Lumion + Krea.ai: we develop 3D models in SketchUp or Shapr3D, render them using Lumion, and then enhance the results with Krea, which automatically improves resolution and aesthetics.
- Gamma.app: helps generate dynamic, well-structured presentations from base content, making it easier to present the project professionally.
- Kaiber: useful for generating product explainers or animations based on images or visual sequences.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence has become a strategic ally for design teams. Its value is not in replacing human creativity, but in amplifying it. By integrating AI at every stage of the industrial design process, we’re able to speed up timelines, expand creative possibilities, and improve the quality of final outcomes.
It’s worth noting that many of these tools offer both free and paid versions. In our experience, it’s completely viable to start exploring them through their free versions and identify which ones best align with your own process. From there, you can decide whether upgrading to a pro version is a worthwhile investment for your design needs.
At Blaster Design, we believe the future of design is built through technology, collaboration, and strategic thinking. Combining human insight with the power of AI is one of the most effective ways to bring bold ideas to life.
