Industrial Design Job Description

Find out what an industrial design job is really like.

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What Will You Do in an Industrial Design Job?

No one can resist a clever gadget. Ever since the first human created the first tool, we've been enamored with things that make our lives easier. Whether it's brand-new technology or old technology re-imagined, anything that makes our workload lighter is bound to be a hit.

Industrial designers are often the brains behind the innovations we love. Working closely with businesses and manufacturers, industrial designers take products and product ideas and make them user-friendly, ergonomic and attractive to consumers.

An industrial design job may lead to designing a set of garden tools or improving on last year's car model. Although you may not work on such a wide spectrum of products in your industrial design career, there is an endless number of projects that require an industrial designer's touch.

Industrial Design Job Duties

In an industrial design job, you will be responsible for the following kinds of tasks:

Working with clients to determine the design requirements
Brainstorming ideas and creating models
Designing products with the needs and wants of a specific audience in mind
Working with design technology
Participating in product testing

Skills Needed for an Industrial Design Job

Creativity – Hands down, creativity is the top requirement for an industrial design job. You'll need to be able to look at existing products and see how they could work or look better—see beyond the current reality to what's possible. You may also work on new products in the early phases of development. You'll need to be able to anticipate how consumers will use the item. Then you'll come up with a plan to execute your ideas.

Technical Skill – Professionals in industrial design jobs also work with an array of design technology to complete their projects. CAD training and experience will come in handy as you use software to develop your designs in two and three dimensions.

Teamwork – The ability to work well with others is essential in an industrial design job. Whether you are working and communicating with your customer or with other members of the design team, you'll need to be able to collaborate with others to succeed in and industrial design job.

Is an Industrial Design Job for You?

Industrial design is an exciting field that requires both artistic ability and technical knowledge. If you're interested in improving the look and function of everyday objects, you should consider an industrial design job.