Career Corner

Industrial Designer

Description of Responsibilities
Industrial designers design products for use in homes and businesses, including home appliances, furniture, toys, and automobiles. In the planning process, industrial designers prepare drawings, models, and instructions for production. They also determine the materials and processes for creating the products, as well as test their efficiency and comfort. Industrial designers work closely with the engineers who develop the products.

Education, Training, and Professional Qualifications
A degree in industrial design, product design, or design management is preferred. Having a portfolio of sample work is also helpful.

Other Considerations
An industrial designer must keep up with trends in this field. A good understanding of the history of industrial design is also important. Good hand-eye coordination and normal color vision are needed.