It is the job of an industrial designer to combine the business, art, and engineering industries together in order to create products that are functional, desirable, and aesthetically pleasing in everyday life. They focus on style, safety, function, and sustainability whenever working on new products.
Industrial design is a fast-paced field, requiring creativity and constant innovation. Individuals with these skills as well as strength in math and science will excel. Due to the high demand for new, upgraded, and safer products, this industry is flourishing and provides a great outlook for interested individuals.
Industrial designers must have a strong background in CAD (computer-aided-design), sketching, and communication in order to do their job properly. Whenever industrial designers have been hired by a client to provide a new product for them, they must work within the company's budget as well as meeting their needs. Designers also work to alter old designs to reflect new advances or trends in the industry, or update their safety features. Industrial designers sometimes work for large companies or firms, while others choose to do their work as self-employed freelancers.
The work environment of an industrial designer is typically in a well lit office of some sort. It is also often necessary for an industrial designer to travel on a weekly basis to meet with clients and keep them updated. Industrial designers are expected to work full time, or forty hours week, plus some weekends if deadlines or clients' schedules require it.
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Career Specializations
Industrial designers usually specialize in one product category. This might include office products, automobiles, tools, or any other product that requires design work. Industrial design degrees are broad-based, and specialized on-the-job training will hone a designer's skill in that industry.
Degree Levels Available for Industrial Design
Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Architecture, or Engineering: 4 years
Master's Degree in Industrial Design, Architecture, or Engineering: 2-3 years
(United States Department of Labor)
Education and Certification Requirements
In order to gain an entry level position in industrial design, individuals must complete at least a bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering, which will take an average of four years to complete. In order to obtain a high level position in this industry, it would be highly suggested to obtain a master's degree in any of these fields. This will take an additional two to three years.
Some of the courses that individuals must take to excel in the world of industrial design would be physics, engineering, math, and interaction design. It may also be required of individuals to complete an internship in the field of industrial design. While students are pursuing their internship, they will learn very valuable skills about industrial design, as well as applying everything that they have learned in the classroom to real life industrial design situations.
It is also important for students to be putting together a portfolio the entire time they are in school. Potential employers, graduate programs, and even friends will want to see examples of your highest-quality work.
Once students who have been studying industrial design have graduated, they have the ability to go out into their industry and begin hunting for a job. There are no certification requirements within this industry that one must meet in order to work. (United States Department of Labor)
Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the middle half of commercial and industrial designers earned between $41,550 and $76,700 in 2008. Eighty percent of industrial design professionals earned between $31,400 and $97,770. The highest salaries are earned by managers at design firms and specialized senior engineers, while the lower salaries are earned in miscellaneous manufacturing positions (although wages at this level still vary greatly). (United States Department of Labor)
Job Outlook
According to The United States Department of Labor, the industry of industrial design is growing at an average pace in comparison to all surveyed industries. The field is projected to grow an additional 9% throughout the decade of 2008-2018. This industry is highly competitive, and individuals with a strong educational background in CAD (Computer Aided Design), engineering, and business are projected to win the best jobs.
Despite the fact that many businesses are using industrial designers overseas in order to save money, the domestic industrial design industry is predicted to grow because of a continued demand for new products, as well as upgraded products that are safer.
Related Careers
Artists - These individuals use many different mediums such as paints, sculpting materials, and other media in order to communicate their ideas and emotions. Some artists sell their work at galleries, while others are hired by companies. Artists who have become very well known in their field may even have the opportunity to showcase their work in museums and private viewings.
Fashion Designers - These individuals have the job of designing clothing collections each season that will eventually be sold in stores. They must have a strong background in pattern making, trend forecasting, color theory, and illustration. Fashion design is a highly competitive industry.
Floral Designers - Floral designers use flowers to put together beautiful creations everyday. They put together flowers in many different forms such as corsages, themed arrangements, and bouquets. They must have extensive knowledge about botany, as they must care for a vast stock of plants and flowers and answer customers' questions.
Interior Designers - Interior designers are in charge of decorating different spaces for their clients. Many people use interior designers to add value to their homes or businesses. Interior designers have a strong background in color theory, textures, and furniture.
Computer Software Engineers - These individuals hold the job of designing and creating new computer software. They must have a strong background in math and computer sciences in order to be able to write and test their programs. Some of their projects include applications, web functions, and computer games.
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