Becoming an Industrial Designer

Industrial designers specialize in the design and development of a wide range of consumer and industrial goods, from electrical and electronic items used in the home to designing a new rail transport system. Industrial designers work with engineers and other experts on complex, multidisciplinary projects, such as developing new photocopiers and cameras. They are concerned not only with the visual appeal of the product, but also ergonomic factors, appropriate materials, and manufacturing methods.

The Job:

Industrial designers may work on an entirely new product or modify an existing one according to new thinking.

Research is an important part of designers' work and they will discuss what is wanted with production management and the marketing and sales teams. In the case of a large project for a specific client, they will also clarify the requirements with the user. They may need to travel abroad to investigate similar projects elsewhere. Industrial designers need creative design skills to ensure that the styling of the product is innovative, pleasing, and appropriate to its use. Visual appeal would be far more important in designing a domestic kettle, for example, than a fork lift truck.

They may need to consult ergonomists while, at the same time, being constrained by the commercial realism of what will sell and at what price. They need to understand the availability of materials and whether the product can be manufactured using existing machinery. They need to understand the manufacturing processes.

Having carried out the research, industrial designers make initial sketches by using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and make models to clarify their proposals. Technical or price constraints may have an influence on the development of the design.

They will make a full-sized mock up or use the drawings to design a prototype, and they may need to design and set up a test rig on which to test the prototype. Using the test results gained, they refine their original ideas and produce detailed working drawings for the production team to use in the manufacture and assembly of the item. They may be helped in this by a specialist draftsperson.

Industrial designers should be good communicators, since they may have to persuade others to accept their ideas. Industrial designers need to take human factors into consideration, including safety and one specialized area of work is designing for disability.

Training Involved:

Most industrial designers have completed a full-time degree or diploma course at a college, university or specialized art school. The entry requirements are usually based on students' portfolios, their performance at an interview, and having a good academic record. Courses may have titles such as product design, industrial design, or three-dimensional design, and will include a study of the design problems associated with working in wood, metal, plastics, and card, as well as technology and workshop practice.

Courses may specialize in design for consumer products or transport design, which includes automotive and marine design.

There is a strong engineering element in some courses. Courses with a manufacturing emphasis require a basic grounding in mathematics and science, while courses in engineering design require university-entrance qualifications in sciences.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: English, art and design, technical drawing, mathematics, science, and engineering.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of an Industrial Designer range from $44,081 to $71,575 annually, while the median salary for most Industrial Designers is $57,278 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

The demand for industrial designers has recently been affected adversely by the recession.

The job market is very competitive but there are always opportunities for those with exceptional talent and commitment. Design is an international industry so industrial designers who are able to communicate in a European language and are willing to travel should be able to gain valuable experience. Industrial designers may start work for an in-house design team as an assistant designer. There are also opportunities to work for design consultancies undertaking a wide range of very varied design projects. Career advancement may be possible to design management, which will involve less design work and more administration and negotiation with clients.

In the future, industrial design will be increasingly affected by the latest advances in technology especially in the fields of computer modeling and holography.

For further information, contact a society, association, college, or institute of designers. Also contact art schools, colleges, and universities offering courses.