# IDology #3 - Being a versatile product designer

- Show: [IDology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology)
- Published: 2022-11-29
- Length: 58m
- Episode: 3
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindsailors/episodes/IDology-3---Being-a-versatile-product-designer-e1revld

## Summary

Mikołaj Wiewióra, a senior designer at the industrial design studio Mindsailors, discusses the challenges and benefits of working across diverse industries, from consumer electronics to medical devices and industrial machinery. He explains how cross-industry experience drives innovation by transferring technologies like 3D printing and manufacturing constraints between sectors, and emphasizes that effective communication with both technical and marketing clients is critical to project success. Wiewióra also highlights the importance of designing for repairability and value rather than just competing on price against mass-market giants like IKEA.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=1) Introduction: Mikołaj Wiewióra and Mindsailors
- [1:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=94) Working with clients from different industries
- [7:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=433) The value of cross-industry expertise and innovation
- [13:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=820) Designing for medical devices and industrial machinery
- [15:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=950) Team dynamics and holistic design approaches
- [22:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=1362) The impact of design on business margins and perception
- [26:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=1618) Communicating with technical vs. marketing clients
- [33:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=2029) Pricing, repairability, and competing with mass production
- [38:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=2332) 3D printing and emerging manufacturing technologies
- [47:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2022-11-29-idology-3-being-a-versatile-product-designer#t=2834) The importance of communication and objectivity in design

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Mindsailors (company)
- IKEA (company)
- Decathlon (company)
- 3D printing (tool)
- injection molding (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#006: The Creators Revolution + Mid-Week Update - February 2, 2022](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/designing-in-the-wild/2022-02-02-006-the-creators-revolution-mid-week-update-february-2-2022) (Designing in the Wild)
- [82: Design is Compromise](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-07-18-82-design-is-compromise) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [417: Special Old People Shoes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-11-03-417-special-old-people-shoes) (Making It)
- [Design and Engineering Shouldn't Be Separate Islands | Pensar, Tactile, Mathscaper, Vector7 | Rob Leonard](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-07-27-design-and-engineering-shouldnt-be-separate-islands-pensar-tactile-mathscaper-ve) (TRADEOFFS)
- [18: No Cool Cheap Screwdrivers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-09-17-18-no-cool-cheap-screwdrivers) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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