What do Industrial Designers do?
Industrial design is the professional services of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer. Graduates can be hired into a corporate environment as a staff designer, or work in a small design firm with a diverse cliental. Some graduates have worked as freelancers or contract with design firms and corporations.
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.
- Sketch design ideas
- Use computer-aided design programs
- Create samples or working models
- Know materials inside and out
- Adapt your ideas to meet budget and other limits
- Test your designs
- Work as part of a team
- Meet with engineers, clients, and others
Employer Recommendation for Graduates
Significant Skills
- Creative Problem Solving
- 2-D Concept Sketching
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Materials & Manufacturing Process
- Computer-Aided Industrial Design
- Multi disciplinary Group Interaction
- Concept Model making
- Internship or Co-op Experience
- Design Theory
Important Skills
- Mathematics
- Graphic Design
- Engineering Technologies
- History of Art and Design
- Arts and Humanities
- Cognitive & Consumer Psychology
- Research & Documentation
- Marketing & Business Practice
- Computer-Aided Design
- Anthropometrics & Task Analysis
- Full -scales Model making
- Working Prototypes
- Presentation Model making
- Mechanical Drawing
Career Titles
- Industrial Designer Design Firm Multimedia Designer Entertainment
- Industry Product Designer Automotive Industry Interface
- Designer/Developer Software Industry Product Developer Consumer Products Industry Exhibit Designer
Companies That Employed Kendall Graduates:
- Attwood
- Steelcase
- Herman Miller
- Milsco
- ETS â?? (tanning beds)
- Haworth
- Harley Davidson
- Winnebago
- Whirlpool
- Wolverine World Wide
- Bissell
- Paoli Furniture
- Henry Dreyfuss & Associates
- Carrom Toy and Game Company
- TV Guide Interactive
- American Seating Company
- Fredricks Design
- Tiger Studio
- Exhibit Design Consultants
- Quality Bicycle Products
- New Balance Shoes
- Flexsteel
- Puma
- IDEO
- Synergy Product Design
- Tiara Yachts
Salary and Wages:
The average starting salary for industrial design graduates can range from $30,000 to $41,000.
Excellent Web Sites for Further Research:
- www.IDSA.org â?? (Industrial Design Society of America) Become a student member!!!!
- www.Coroflot.com â?? Career/Job Site and great salary survey
- www.core77.com â?? Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services.
- www.designboom.com â?? Industrial Design Today
Get Involved:
Join the IDSA Student Chapter
