Industrial designers turn ideas into marketable products.
An industrial designer is the person who provides the creativity and vision that often turns the ideas or concepts of an inventor or engineer into a marketable product. His job is to analyze an idea and create an item or product that is consumer friendly and fills a need. The need may be real or created by clever advertising and promotion.
An industrial design engineer may need to test and calibrate components used in their designs.
The employment opportunities in this profession are almost endless. As new products and innovations are introduced every day, and in almost every facet of consumer goods, from kitchen appliances to automobiles, good industrial designers are almost always in demand. The niche in which they are successful often depends on related personal interests, associated job skills, or current career opportunities.
Regardless of the sector an industrial designer chooses, they usually need to work closely with clients on a regular basis. The introduction of a new product often begins as a concept in someone’s mind, so making it a reality is often a long and complicated process. Goals and concepts often evolve as designer and client work together.
A common first step in the process is for the industrial designer to present a concept to the client based on the needs and wants expressed by the client in the initial meeting. This concept can be a computer-generated image, a three-dimensional model, or a drawing. The client and the designer usually discuss the pros and cons of the presentation and decide what modifications are needed. This process continues until a model is finalized that meets the customer’s needs.
The next step is usually product testing. This phase may include running the prototype through internal experiments to verify its functionality, resolve design issues, or incorporate improvements. Consumer tests or focus groups are also commonly used to get feedback on product features and usability.
More atypical industrial design jobs include revamping an item already on the market to improve its features or add new facets to increase its appeal to the consumer. Some in this profession design industrial machines. Other industrial designers sometimes design product packaging or develop trademark symbols for new product lines.
Regardless of the path an industrial designer takes, their creativity is their greatest asset. You should also be proficient in computer aided design applications and concepts. Excellent communication skills are needed to effectively exchange ideas with clients.
Most candidates for this position should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer-aided design, architecture, or industrial design. Completing a master’s degree in one of these specialties increases employment opportunities. Some employers prefer some experience in industrial design or a related field.