Industrial Designer Career Description
Industrial designers design or improve' useful consumer articles. These include any mass produced products from kettles to cars to telephones and furniture.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Industrial design is one of several specialized fields in the design and development of mass-produced products. Industrial designers are mainly concerned with overall conceptualization and the design of the appearance of products.
Industrial designers first establish the main function of products. This involves studies of all possible problems as well as analyses of relevant research data. This information is then used to prepare briefs on the designs. After briefs had been prepared, designers start working on the actual designs. They make sketches, models and draughts using drawings. They work within the confines of the briefs, available technology and clients' marketing plans.
Industrial designers attempt to avoid duplication and to ensure that new products are better than the previous or existing ones. Key factors to be considered are function, user friendliness, appearance, cost, safety, maintenance, marketing strategies, competitiveness with other products, as well as the environmental impact of products and manufacturing methods used.
Industrial designers finally present their ideas to clients who consider them and decide whether the proposed designs satisfy their
conditions. If the designs are accepted, industrial designers prepare the final technical specifications and drawings for the production of the articles.
Industrial designers usually work indoors, making sketches on a drawing board or making models in a workshop. They also work on computers preparing technical specifications or virtual three-dimensional models. They must be prepared to travel, visiting clients and factories.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Industrial designers must be creative, yet practical. They must have the drawing and modeling skills needed to communicate and specify designs. They should be able to visualize non-existing shapes in three dimensions. Industrial designers should be able to communicate with people on all levels. They must have a sound understanding of marketing, sales work and other business activities. Friendliness and tact are important when dealing with clients.
Where can I work?
Possible employers include all branches of industry where products are manufactured.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Industrial designers can work as free-lance consultants and start their own businesses, designing, manufacturing and marketing their own products.
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