WHAT IS AN INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER?
When you combine creative design with manufactured items, you get an industrial designer—a creative professional with a unique skill set in “form and function.”
Industrial design (ID) is the professional practice of designing the objects, devices, and products used by millions of people globally.
Industrial designers focus on a product's manufacturability, functionality, sustainability and physical appearance - ultimately contributing to the lasting value and experience a service or product provides for end users.
Employment Opportunities in Industrial Design
Industrial designers combine business, art, and engineering to develop concepts for manufactured products. The top jobs in this field are industrial designers, product designers, project managers, and design engineers.
These professionals develop concepts for manufactured products including electronic devices, home appliances, furniture, cars, toys, medical devices - really anything you see in the built environment. They create products people use every day.
Employers may post jobs with industrial design skills under different titles. Common alternative job titles include:
Product Designer
Industrial Designer
Senior Industrial Designer
Design Researcher
Design Strategist
Product Manager
Job Duties of an Industrial Designer
An industrial designer performs tasks such as:
Meeting with clients to determine design requirements and creating physical design prototypes
Conducting user research and market analysis
Creating physical and digital prototypes
Creating renderings or images on a computer or on paper that provide a visual of design concepts
Using computer software to develop virtual models of designs
Researching who will use a particular product, and the various ways it might be used
Presenting designs to clients for feedback and approval
Evaluating product function, appearance, and safety
Determining feasibility, viability, and desirability
Calculating production costs by examining manufacturing requirements, materials, and other supply chain considerations
Working with other specialists, such as manufacturers and mechanical engineers, to evaluate whether their design concepts will meet consumer needs
What Does an Industrial Designer Do?
Industrial designers work closely with consumers to determine what types of designsperform best and capture target audiences. They also present, test, and develop new ideas for the manufacturing of everyday products.
Useful Skills for Industrial Designers
Industrial designers exhibit skills such as:
Imagination and originality
Research and collaboration
The ability to articulate concepts concisely
Meticulous attention to detail
Drawing, mechanical drafting, and computer sketching
Prototyping
Product development
Market savviness
Logic and persuasiveness
Great interpersonal skills
Knowledge of computer software
Comfortability in a manufacturing environment
Adeptness at translating ideas into designs
Information technology (IT) skills
Industrial engineering industry expertise
Balancing creativity with practicality
Comfortability with machines, tools, and hardware
Software Proficiencies for Industrial Designers
An industrial designer's main skill set revolves around sketching out ideas and schematics for how specific products should look. These sketches are often rendered in 3D software that takes a product and brings it into form.
Industrial designers have computer-aided design (CAD) software skills for computer-aided industrial design (CAID) or 3D design software.
These professionals are also skilled at using other types of software, such as:
Industry-specific modeling software such as Rhino, Keyshot, Siemens NX, Autodesk Alias, and Autodesk Inventor
AutoCAD, TinkerCAD
Adobe Creative Suite
SolidWorks for mechanical design
Open-source programs such as FreeCAD and blender
Learn More About the Industrial Design Master’s Courses at MFA Products of Design
We offer industrial design graduate courses in new York as part of our MFA in Product Design to teach the skills needed for individuals to excel in an industrial designer role. Our no-grades policy promotes creativity and risk-taking so students can gain the confidence needed to become great designers.
Learn about our industrial design graduate courses and see how our MFA Product Design program can lead you to a fulfilling career in the design industry. Get the answers to commonly asked questions and apply today.