Industrial Design
Industrial designers develop these concepts and specifications through collection, analysis and synthesis of data guided by the special requirements of the client or manufacturer. They are trained to prepare clear and concise recommendations through drawings, models and verbal descriptions."
- IDSA
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Where do industrial designers find employment?
Industrial designers are generally trained to work in any product design category ranging from toys to medical equipment. Designers typically work in one of two areas: a corporate manufacturer or consulting firm.
Corporate
Corporations have staff designers that work in product development groups which include marketing, engineering, manufacturing, and management. They develop new products, update old product lines, and creatively solve design problems for the manufacturer. Most manufacturers have in-house designers and if not, they hire design consulting firms.
Consulting
Design consulting firms provide design services for various clients which include manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and new business start-ups. Consulting work is generally involves a wider range of projects and often works on a portion of the product development process. Typical industrial design consulting offices usually range from several employees to over 30 people.
What are the essential skills for an industrial designer?
A comprehensive list of Fundamental Entry-Level Requirements for Industrial Designers can be found on the www.idsa.org website.