By Prasun Pakhira What is Industrial Design?
Industrial designers tend to be creative individuals who are focused on creating unique and original products. They also tend to be entrepreneurial and are known for being able to influence and persuade others. Wondering if you could be the one?
Aside from being able to communicate effectively with others, industrial designers include a variety of skills and activities every day. Knowing these can help you develop the necessary skills to become an industrial designer and identify as one aspiring successful industrial designer.
Brief History of Industrial Design
Understanding the history of industrial design or any career you are choosing is essential to know its potential today and in the future. Industrial design emerged during the early 19th century, and it can be linked to the industrial revolution. Early industrial designers often found themselves in a position where they were dealing with styling and aesthetics.
Due to the lack of resources, design consultancies started to emerge that could provide services to companies that didn’t have the time or inclination to build their design teams. For instance, Walter Teague founded TEAGUE in 1926 and was responsible for the design of the Boeing commercial airline’s interior spaces.
Another early design firm is the company founded by Montgomery Ferar and Carl Sundberg in 1934. Both are still in operation and are known for their work.
By the time designers such as Raymond Loewy, Charles and Ray Eames, and FIDSA were entering the field, industrial design was already a proven practice. Many large corporations such as General Motors and IBM had in-house design teams, a great example of industrial design.
The industrial designer’s role has also evolved from merely designing a product to incorporating these factors into the design process. These factors have become central to the profession and have left an enduring impact on society.
Modern Day Industrial Design Practice
Industrial designers are often part of multidisciplinary teams that work together to develop effective solutions for their clients. They can be engineers, graphic designers, project managers, and brand experts. The collaboration allows them to get the most out of their work and create a solution that fits the unique needs of their users.
Industrial designers are responsible for designing products for people of all ages, races, and abilities. They are also able to identify and analyze the various factors that affect their users’ lives. An empathetic designer can then use this knowledge to come up with a solution that will be beneficial to their clients.
During the concept phase, industrial designers create 3D models, sketches, and prototypes to test their ideas and find the best possible solutions for their clients. They then test these prototypes to see how the product will work and look.
After the concept phase is complete, the industrial designers work with other experts to develop the finished product. It can be produced through various stages such as marketing, fulfilment, and manufacturing.
Due to the rapid changes in the industry, industrial designers have to constantly adapt to meet the demands of their clients and keep up with the latest technological advancements. But we hope you have got enough examples of industrial designers and what they actually do.
Who can Pursue Industrial Design as a Career?
A designer must have a strong sense of design, which includes a deep understanding of fashion. They also need to be able to think critically and solve complex problems. Industrial designers are also product engineers.
Industrial design schools teach these skills to prepare graduates for success in the field. They also require a strong understanding of physics, mathematics, and conceptual thinking. Industrial designers do not just create products and systems; they also need to understand how those systems operate.
Although technical expertise is not always required for every job, most positions require a strong understanding of various aspects of the design process. Industrial design examples include transportation design, engineers need to know how to design engines for buses and trucks.
Model builders are responsible for creating models that are used by interior designers to fashion components for automobiles.
Industrial design school graduates can also pursue other career options such as graphic design, photography, and interior design. If you are not passionate about technicality, then you might want to consider a career in other creative fields.
Also Read: You can be a Product Designer too. Here’s all you need to know
- It’s helpful for people who are still deliberating on their future in industrial design to visualize the work environment. Various factors go into making a successful career in this field, such as creativity, technical expertise, and team dynamics.
- Before applying to an industrial design school, it’s important for students to thoroughly study the various qualities that will attract admissions committees. These include creativity, technical expertise, and team dynamics.
- Those who have already decided to become industrial designers should also prepare themselves for their future in this field.
Studies have shown that education can dramatically change the way people think and act. During the three years of an industrial design school, students can completely transform their brains by learning how to approach problems and develop effective ideas.
Choosing a career is about choosing what you love. If you are passionate about technicality, then industrial design is the field for you. As a designer, you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a successful professional.
A Career in Industrial Design
Skills Required
An industrial designer should also have good analytical skills and strong problem-solving skills to work efficiently and effectively with clients. This should be done by developing ideas and then coming up with a final design.
Aside from these, an industrial designer also needs to have a good understanding of how to design a product that is engineered properly. This is very important since it can help win the trust of the client.
Educational Qualification
In India, candidates pursuing an industrial designer’s degree must have a bachelor’s degree from an engineering or architecture school.
For engineers, it is also important that they have a basic degree in one of the core branches. Doing a diploma or degree in industrial design will help boost their technical skills.
Also Read: 7 Best Product Design Books
Technical Background
The educational requirements for this job role are generic. To be successful, an industrial designer should have a strong background in 2D/3D computer-aided design (CADD). This is an area of expertise that has gained widespread acceptance due to the recent trends in the field.
Good knowledge of the various elements of the user interface (UI) and the various aspects of the user experience (UX) will help boost your chances of getting a job.
Work Environment
Industrial designers can also be self-employed. They can work under an employer or they can work in various industries such as manufacturing and wholesale trade. Usually, an industrial designer’s work area has a large drawing board.
Aside from their drawing board, an industrial designer also has a variety of other professional equipment such as computers, scanners, and other design-related equipment. Usually, an industrial designer’s workday begins depending upon the creativity the work demands.
Salary
In India, an industrial designer’s salary is around Rs 3 to 5 lakh per year. With experience and proficiency, this job role can earn around Rs 8 to 10 million in the next couple of years.
Although an industrial designer salary depends on their expertise, the average salary for people working with firms and organizations is around Rs 4 lakh.
Career Growth
As an industrial designer, you can gradually move up to the position of a chief designer or design department head. In India, many of them are also shifting to teaching design in schools and universities.
After working for a certain company or organization, many industrial designers start their firm. Others work for various private firms. Although many factors go into starting and managing a successful industrial design firm, the sky’s the limit.
How Can ISDI Help?
Getting your graduation in industrial design which is in product designing is important. Hence, we suggest you enroll in the ISDI product design course to get a holistic environment to grow and pursue your career in the desired field.
ISDI offers various courses in product design that can help you get into a career with practical exposure. The institute’s campus is located in Mumbai, India’s commercial hub. It features a modern, state-of-the-art campus and is run by experienced faculty members from Parsons School of Design.
