Industrial Designer
An industrial designer, also referred to as a commercial or product designer, is a professional who focuses on creating and improving products, ensuring that they are both functional and visually appealing. This field encompasses the design of a wide array of consumer goods, including cars, toys, housewares, and personal grooming items, along with packaging and branding elements. Industrial designers typically hold a bachelor's degree in industrial design or engineering, and they often work in collaboration with engineers, marketers, and other specialists in team settings to bring their ideas to life.
The work environment for industrial designers includes studios or offices, with some involvement in factories for testing and production oversight. They employ various tools, including computer-aided design (CAD) software, to sketch and model their concepts. A key aspect of their role involves understanding market trends and consumer needs, which allows them to innovate and improve existing products. As of 2023, the median annual salary for industrial designers is approximately $76,250, and job growth in this field is expected to be around 2%, which is considered average. This career is ideal for creative individuals who thrive on solving problems and keeping pace with technological advancements and consumer culture.
Industrial Designer
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Interests: Design, consumer culture, technological trends, solving problems, being creative
Earnings (Yearly Median):$76,250 per year $36.66 per hour (2023 figures)
Employment & Outlook: 2% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Industrial designers, also known as commercial designers or product designers, plan and create new products that are both functional and stylish. They improve older products by enhancing certain features or by making them safer or more user-friendly. They usually specialize in certain consumer goods, such as cars, toys, housewares, or personal grooming accessories. In addition to designing products, some industrial designers also design packaging for the products or displays for trade shows and may even put their creative skills to work on corporate branding campaigns.
Work Environment. Industrial designers are employed by specialized design firms as well as larger companies and manufacturers. Some are self-employed. They spend much of their time in offices or studios where they design products and in conference rooms with members of product development teams. These are typically comprised of engineers, strategic planners, financial managers, advertising and marketing specialists, and other creative consultants. They may need to spend some time working in factories and testing facilities. Most work a forty-hour week, with additional evening and weekend hours as needed to meet deadlines.
Occupation Interest. Industrial design attracts artistic people who look upon consumer products as potential canvases for their creativity. They take satisfaction in products that look good while also being functional and user-friendly. Industrial designers keep up with the latest trends and stay engaged with contemporary consumer culture, design, and technological trends. They must be technically savvy, with strong spatial, communication, and problem-solving skills. The ability to work under deadlines is important.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The work performed by an industrial designer depends on the size and type of his or her employer and the particular types of products that employer manufactures or builds. Although many industrial designers work for product manufacturers, others work for specialized businesses like architectural firms and medical companies, and still others are self-employed. The work done by industrial designers is increasingly more commercial as companies focus more closely on consumer trends and market research.
Industrial designers are included early on in the corporate product development phase. They may be asked to sketch products that have already been identified or specific details or components for products that need to be upgraded. In some cases, an industrial designer sees a need for a product and recommends the idea to a research and development team for consideration. During the early stages, the designer may research other products, sometimes attending a trade show to view the competition, or survey potential users for desired features.
Once a product has been conceptualized, the industrial designer sketches out designs, either by hand or with design software. The designs might show a smaller model, a product that is easier to hold or more ergonomic, or some other type of innovation. The designer might also create a model from clay or foam board, often first rendering it in 3-D software. The designer suggests specific colors, materials, and manufacturing processes that are within the limitations of the budget. Those who work for manufacturers might render drawings in computer-aided industrial design (CAID) programs that can direct machines to build the products automatically. Industrial designers also communicate their designs and ideas in writing and give presentations to clients or managers.
Before a product is released for the market, the industrial designer might oversee or participate in its testing, at which time he or she may need to make refinements to the design to correct unforeseen issues or improve the quality of the product.
Since 1980, the Industrial Designers Society of America has presented the IDEA Awards (International Design Excellence Awards) to honor excellence in industrial design as well as related fields such as design strategy, branding, digital interaction, and social impact.
Package Designers (142.081-018). Package Designers design containers for products, such as foods, beverages, toiletries, cigarettes, and medicines.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Industrial designers usually work in comfortable offices or studios. Those who regularly oversee product manufacturing might be at some risk for health issues related to their factory environments.
Human Environment. Industrial designers usually report to the creative director of the design firm or manager of a department, and they may oversee an intern or assistant as he or she gains experience. Interaction with clients and other members of a product development team may include lively brainstorming sessions as well as harsh criticism about ideas and designs. Self-employed industrial designers interact with others less often as they usually work from home offices.
Technological Environment. Industrial designers use a variety of art tools and supplies to build models and sketch designs, but much of their work is also performed using computer-aided design (CAD) software, computer-aided industrial design (CAID) software, and modeling, animation, and design software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Students should take a college-preparatory program that includes courses in English, math, and science, including physics and trigonometry. Electives should include drafting, drawing, and other art courses (sculpture, painting, ceramics, and photography) and/or industrial arts (woodworking and metalworking). Other useful courses include psychology, engineering, and business. Students need to prepare a portfolio for admission to postsecondary art and design programs. Because this is a hands-on field, students should put together models, visit art museums, and engage in other cultural and educational activities that encourage critical and creative thinking skills.
Postsecondary. A bachelor’s degree in industrial design or engineering, ideally with a minor in art or design, is the standard minimum requirement for most entry-level jobs in this field; some employers prefer to hire those with a master’s degree. Students must acquire skills in drawing, CAD and design software, and building 3-D models by hand, as well as knowledge about industrial materials and manufacturing processes. Courses that build understanding of humans and society, such as psychology, anthropology, human ecology, and philosophy, are also important. Business skills are required for some jobs. Students should plan to apply for an internship and prepare a portfolio of their best work.
Related Occupations
− Designer
− Multimedia Artist & Animator
Bibliography
"A Career-Defining Recognition." Industrial Designers Society of America, 2024, www.idsa.org/awards-recognitions/idea/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"Industrial Designers." US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/industrial-designers.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
"What Does an Industrial Designer Do?" CareerExplorer, 2024, www.careerexplorer.com/careers/industrial-designer/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.