Industrial/product design is a problem-solving process that drives innovation, builds business success, and leads to a better quality of life through innovative products, services, and experiences.
Industrial designers create and produce designs for commercial, medical, and industrial products. They also make models and prototypes of these designs for mass production.
The products that industrial designers create cover a wide range of industrial goods, from toys and toasters to furniture and heavy machinery.
What Skills Do You Need To Be Successful As An Industrial/Product Designer?
Designers make use of their imagination or original ideas to create something. They are good at translating technical hardware into visually appealing consumer goods. They do this by coming up with creative ideas or creating prototypes or other visual models of a manufactured product.
Some Required Skills Are:
- Creativity
- Careful attention to detail
- Good teamwork ability
- IT skills
- Original and imaginative
- Excellent at converting an idea into a design
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Persuasive and logical
- Market experience – instinctively understands what you are selling
- Analytical skills
- Excellent drawing / mechanical sketching
- Problem-solving ability
Why Is Industrial Design Important?
Design is one of the most important factors in building a brand. Failure to invest the time, effort, and money can lead to a failed business. Design is what sets you apart from your competition and helps you get the desired result.
The importance of this profession for a product is to give that product added value that goes beyond the basic functional engineering.
How Can You Start A Career In Industrial Design?
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering is required for entry-level design jobs.
Some designers have a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) which helps develop commercial designing skills. The skills help designers understand how to customize designs to meet the cost constraints a company may have on manufacturing a given product.
Most programs include courses such as drawing, design, and computer-aided drawing (CADD), and three-dimensional modeling. They also include courses in business administration, industrial materials and processes, and manufacturing methods.
Where Can You Study Industrial Design Abroad?
There are several degrees to choose from including BSc, BEng (Bachelor of Engineering), BDes (Bachelor of Design), and BID (Bachelor of Industrial-Design).
Some Universities To Study Are:
- Cardiff University UK: Product Design – BA/BSc (Hons) Degree
- Ulster University UK: Product Design – BA (Hons)
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University Canada: Product/Technical Apparel Design
- Carleton University Canada: Industrial/Product Design
- University Of Mississippi USA: Modern Architecture and Industrial Design
- University Of The Pacific USA: Industrial/Product Design
The best countries to study this profession are Canada, the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
What Professional Certifications Do You Need?
Industrial designers don’t need a license to work. For entry-level positions, you only need to acquire a bachelor’s degree. You can specialize in industrial/product design, architecture, or engineering. To advance in your engineering design career, you can apply for the Professional Engineer (PE) license. This qualification enables engineers to oversee projects and work in managerial positions.
What Are The Careers You Can Specialize In With This Degree?
Some of the most popular career paths in this field are:
- Industrial Designing
- Industrial Research
- Furniture Designing
- Package Designing
- Automotive Designing
- Movie/Theater set Designing
How Much Will You Make As An Industrial Designer?
An entry-level industrial designer with less than 1-year experience earns an average total of $50,247. A mid-level industrial designer earns an average of $66,455 An experienced industrial designer earns an average of $79,941.
What Are The Careers Closely Related To This Profession?
- Graphics designing
- Interior Designing
- Fashion Designing
- Act Director
- Landscape Architecture
- Drafting
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