Industrial Designer Responsibilities

Industrial designers require a combination of engineering, drawing skills and art knowledge. The job of a designer is all about using creativity, innovative ideas as well as technical knowledge in their designing projects. Being imaginative as well as persistent with the ability to express their new product ideas through communication and demonstration is required. Planing, designing and style manufacturing goods are some of the prime industrial designer responsibilities. These designers are responsible for designing several goods that are bought and used in our day to day life. They typically specialize in the category of one product such as household products, furnitures, automobiles, food packing, medical equipment and consumer electronics.

Industrial designers have to consider various factors like the aesthetics, ergonomics and usability of items that are produced on a large scale; they work to enhance designing, engineering, functioning and marketing of items. These designers have to work with several different specialists like engineers, material scientists, accountants and marketers to make new products. When planning to initiate a project, designers may have to conduct a meeting with clients in which they advise the manufacturing and product planning team on how to make improvements in the newly introduced or the existing products. They collaborate with the market research team to assess whether the product performance characteristics match the client's requirements; they make visual characteristics that will help the sales team in creating an edge in the marketplace. Having good sense of color, proportion and balance with good visual, verbal and written communication skills is critical.

What are the Job Duties of an Industrial Designer?

After collaborating with various teams working on the project, industrial designers sketch and create different design ideas and present them to the client. After the selection of ideas to be perused, the designer starts to create graphic designs by using photo imaging software and CAD programming; they also make 3D mock-ups for the final results of the client's visualization. Once the client opts for a final product design, the engineering department starts the manufacturing process.

• Creating models by brainstorming ideas
• Generate and develop ideas for designing the form of manufacturing goods: attend presentations, read publications and consult with production, marketing, engineering, sales personnel, etc., in order to establish the concepts of design.
• Assess design ideas on the basis of various factors such as design-function, catchy appearance, serviceability, durability, methods and materials engineering, budget, methods of production, application, production costs, client specifications and market characteristics.
• Create simulated model by using power tools, hands and various materials
• Integrate findings, ideas and create designs as well as design graphics for advertising and product packaging.
• Present and demonstrate designs to design committee and client in order to take opinion in case of any changes or modification.
• Designing products as per the requirements of specific audience or potential clients and collaborate with client as well as production team to determine the design needs.
• May create drawings and sketches as per the specifications and participate in product testing.
• Coordinate with design technology department and design products for custom application purpose.
• Industrial designers have to prepare illustrations and utilize their specialized product knowledge for creating ideas.
• They find out the optimal methods to virtually design any type of product which may involve appliances, transportation items, computer-interfaces, furniture and recreational items.
• Opt for appropriate materials for manufacturing products, assist the team to decide color and finish of items, and coordinate with the manufacturing and engineering team to ensure that all designs are compatible for production.
• Overview various industrial designs of existing and new goods, carry out research for all designs, create documents, create compelling designs, ensure that the design standards matches the compliance of all products, etc.
• Gather all the required material for designing product and prepare prototype models for manufacturing products.
• Collaborate with design managers for performing research, assist graphic designers for designing product, and recommend the components as per the requirement for the manufacturing products.

Required Educational Qualification

Virtually, a bachelor's degree in industrial design, engineering, architecture or similar field is required for getting an entry-level job post in industrial designing. Additionally, a work portfolio and internship are beneficial for getting a permanent position. Potential industrial designers may need to have design skills along with basic art before they enter the bachelor's degree program. These candidates may further think of pursuing a master's degree in business, as this can prove beneficial to understand the broader view on how to coincide with various strategies to establish a successful business. Industrial designers should have the knowledge of marketing, project management, quality assurance, accounting and strategic planning that may prove more attractive and efficient to employers.

Course work may cover basics of industrial and graphic designs, design visualization, modern manufacturing, human design interaction and environmental design. Knowledge of CAID (computer-aided industrial design) and CAD (computer-aided design) is critical. Since industrial designers specialize in a particular product or product type, they may be proficient in designing motor vehicle interiors and exteriors, hardware, industrial equipment, toys, luggage, scientific instruments, housewares, novelties or jewelry.

Candidate should have technical knowledge along with creative and designing skills in order to carry out the industrial designer responsibilities effectually.