industrial designer job description

Your duties may differ based on the products you design. However, the standard tasks of industrial designers include the following: consulting with clients: as an industrial designer, you meet with clients or managers to determine the design requirements. Sometimes, you work with the marketing team to assess the feasibility of a product and ways to build on its feasibility through design. When you understand the projected uses of a product, you are more likely to create an ideal design for the prototype. sketching design ideas: as an industrial designer, you research the uses of a product and the potential consumers. From the research, you come up with sketch ideas or create renderings. The images on paper or computer software provide a visual insight into your design ideas. developing virtual models: from the initial design, you improve viable design ideas by creating virtual models using computer software. When you create models for various designs, the production team has options to help them determine the best design models. You then create physical prototypes of your designs that the production engineers can use to generate the products. presenting designs and prototypes to clients: as an industrial designer, you present designs and prototypes to clients for approval. For instance, if you create a mobile phone, you ensure the production and marketing teams approve the designs before production. You also work with industry specialists to ensure the design concept fulfils users' needs at an affordable cost. determining materials and manufacturing equipment: your job involves formulating manufacturing instructions and ensuring the production team follows them. You also assist the manufacturing team in selecting the best materials for each part or component. evaluating products: after production, you evaluate the product design to ensure it is safe and aesthetically appealing to consumers. You also assess its functionality to ensure it is fit for purpose.

You will likely work as an industrial designer in an office or workshop environment. Most workspaces for industrial designers have drafting tables and conference rooms for brainstorming ideas. Since you use computer-aided software for design, expect the office to have high-end equipment and computers. While the role involves working indoors, you travel to testing facilities, client exhibit centres and manufacturing sites. Industrial designers also have the option to work from home since they can brainstorm online and complete design ideas using CAD software.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include project engineers , product managers and factory workers. You might also be working close to chemical engineers, product testers, and other specialists that could consist of, but not be limited to, factory supervisors , design consultants and illustrators.

Typically, industrial designers work full-time schedules of 40 to 42 hours a week. However, you will likely work overtime to meet deadlines or complete urgent designs. Sometimes, you adjust your work hours to meet clients in the evenings or weekends. Some industrial designers also work part-time or on short-term contracts.

As an industrial designer, you join the role in an entry-level position. With experience, you can progress to more advanced industrial designer positions. Supervisory roles allow you to improve your leadership skills and progress to managerial or consultancy roles. Alternatively, specialise in tools or industrial automobile design by developing your skills in those specialisms.

advantages of finding an industrial designer job through randstad

Finding your industrial designer job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as the following: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an industrial designer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what is the main role of an industrial designer?

As an industrial designer, you develop models and prototypes for manufactured products. If your company assembles vehicles or manufactures home appliances, you create the prototypes and develop product designs. You also consult with clients to ensure the products meet their expectations.

what skills are needed to become an industrial designer?

You require artistic skills and creativity to develop product designs as an industrial designer. When you are creative, you will have fresh ideas to improve the look of a product. Your research skills help you evaluate the feasibility of a product design. Your analytical and problem-solving abilities are also useful since you encounter various issues when developing product designs.

how much money do industrial designers make?

Industrial designers have an average remuneration package of $81,000 per year. Your earnings start at $42,000 annually in an entry-level position due to your minimal experience. Experienced industrial designers take home over $105,000 per year.

how do I apply for an industrial designer vacancy?

Applying for an industrial designer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our analyst job offers . Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

industrial designer

what is an industrial designer?

As an industrial designer, you develop the concepts for manufactured products. You create products like cars, electronics, home appliances and toys. By combining engineering knowledge with artistic ability, you develop successful products. As an industrial designer, you imagine ways a consumer may use a product and find unique designs that create value for customers.

Some industrial designers focus on a specific product category. For instance, you can join a team to design mining equipment or work on consumer electronics like computers and smartphones. Industrial designers also develop ideas and designs for automobiles and furniture.

Industrial designers work alongside engineers, product experts or marketing specialists to incorporate consumer requirements into product designs. For instance, you work with production experts to ascertain that the designs are feasible for the market and suitable for production.

As an industrial designer, you use computer-aided design software (CAD) to sketch ideas since computers make drawing and changing details easy. You will likely use computer-aided industrial design software (CAID) in the manufacturing or mining industries. The software develops machine-readable instructions that instruct machines to build a product.

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average industrial designer salary

As an industrial designer, your remuneration package fluctuates based on your experience, qualifications and skills. Your average salary is $81,000 per year. Industrial designers in entry-level roles usually earn as low as $42,000 annually. Your remuneration package increases with experience and additional skills to $105,000 yearly.

While the main determinants of your earnings are experience and qualifications, other external factors affect your remuneration. For instance, the industry you work in influences your salary. When you work in a manufacturing company that produces consumer goods, you are likely to earn less than industrial designers in pharmaceutical, manufacturing or mining plants. You require specialised skills when you design medical equipment, mining machinery and other complex items. Hence, you can negotiate a higher remuneration based on the complexity of the role.

When you work for a small manufacturing company with limited resources, you will earn less than industrial designers working in large companies. Big companies have unlimited resources and pay more due to project complexity. Your location also influences your earnings. For instance, some states and territories have a higher demand for industrial designers, increasing the remuneration prospects. Some states also factor in the cost of living and adjust the salaries to meet the standards.

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types of industrial designers

Some of the types of industrial designers include:

sustainable designers: Sustainable designers innovate and promote products and production processes, emphasising environmental sustainability.
furniture designers: Furniture designers understand furniture design and manufacturing processes. They create functional, safe, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing furniture. They are involved in the process from designing drafts to manufacturing.
transport designers: Transport designers create new and improved designs for cars, trucks, trams and trains. They are involved in various planning and testing exercises before the project manufacturing and delivery phases.

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working as an industrial designer

As an industrial designer, you design various products and tools for mass manufacture. Explore industrial designers' daily activities and work schedules if you enjoy creating product designs.

industrial designer job description
Your duties may differ based on the products you design. However, the standard tasks of industrial designers include the following:
- consulting with clients: as an industrial designer, you meet with clients or managers to determine the design requirements. Sometimes, you work with the marketing team to assess the feasibility of a product and ways to build on its feasibility through design. When you understand the projected uses of a product, you are more likely to create an ideal design for the prototype.
- sketching design ideas: as an industrial designer, you research the uses of a product and the potential consumers. From the research, you come up with sketch ideas or create renderings. The images on paper or computer software provide a visual insight into your design ideas.
- developing virtual models: from the initial design, you improve viable design ideas by creating virtual models using computer software. When you create models for various designs, the production team has options to help them determine the best design models. You then create physical prototypes of your designs that the production engineers can use to generate the products.
- presenting designs and prototypes to clients: as an industrial designer, you present designs and prototypes to clients for approval. For instance, if you create a mobile phone, you ensure the production and marketing teams approve the designs before production. You also work with industry specialists to ensure the design concept fulfils users' needs at an affordable cost.
- determining materials and manufacturing equipment: your job involves formulating manufacturing instructions and ensuring the production team follows them. You also assist the manufacturing team in selecting the best materials for each part or component.
- evaluating products: after production, you evaluate the product design to ensure it is safe and aesthetically appealing to consumers. You also assess its functionality to ensure it is fit for purpose.
work environment

You will likely work as an industrial designer in an office or workshop environment. Most workspaces for industrial designers have drafting tables and conference rooms for brainstorming ideas. Since you use computer-aided software for design, expect the office to have high-end equipment and computers. While the role involves working indoors, you travel to testing facilities, client exhibit centres and manufacturing sites. Industrial designers also have the option to work from home since they can brainstorm online and complete design ideas using CAD software.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include project engineers, product managers and factory workers. You might also be working close to chemical engineers, product testers, and other specialists that could consist of, but not be limited to, factory supervisors, design consultants and illustrators.
work schedule

Typically, industrial designers work full-time schedules of 40 to 42 hours a week. However, you will likely work overtime to meet deadlines or complete urgent designs. Sometimes, you adjust your work hours to meet clients in the evenings or weekends. Some industrial designers also work part-time or on short-term contracts.
job outlook

As an industrial designer, you join the role in an entry-level position. With experience, you can progress to more advanced industrial designer positions. Supervisory roles allow you to improve your leadership skills and progress to managerial or consultancy roles. Alternatively, specialise in tools or industrial automobile design by developing your skills in those specialisms.
advantages of finding an industrial designer job through randstad
Finding your industrial designer job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as the following:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an industrial designer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

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