You are here: Home / Career / Career in Industrial Designing

Career in Industrial Designing


August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Overview
Industrial designers may broadly be defined as artists with sufficient technical knowledge to appreciate the problems and needs of a particular branch of industry. They work within industry with the engineers who have created a product. They are concerned with designing products that look attractive, and are efficient and convenient in use.
Think of any gadget or a piece of equipment that we use and see in everyday life, be it the car, the refrigerator, blender, other kitchen equipment or toys. Somewhere along the line an industrial or product designer will have contributed to the finished article. Even in our work like the typewriter, computer terminal, printer, office furniture etc. have been designed by industrial or product designers.
Industrial designers develop and design countless manufactured products that we use in our daily life. They combine artistic talent with research into product use, marketing, materials and production methods to create the most functional and appealing design and to make the product competitive with others in the workplace.

Alias Rapid Prototyping Screen Shot Career in Industrial Designing

Nature of Work
The work of the industrial designer has tremendous scope. It should not, however, be confused with that of the design engineer whose training has been in engineering subjects and whose concern is the design of the mechanical, electrical or electronic function rather than the appearance.
The work of the designer is chiefly concerned with the general aesthetic appearance of the product, but also takes into account the user’ needs and the manufacturing requirements.
Designers usually work with a team which comprises both technical and business (marketing)experts. The teamwork as artists can. Their ideas on what is good design and what is not have to be adapted to fit in with commercial and technical requirements. Industrial designers must know the limitations and potentialities of materials and machines available for production.
There may be specialization in the field of industrial design such as: Product Design; Furniture Design, Ceramic Design, also Textile Design.
Designing for exhibitions and displays combines some of the work of interior designers with model-making and graphic design.
Textile designers design fabric for garments, upholstery, rugs and other products using their knowledge of textile materials and fashion trends.
Furniture designers design furniture for manufacture using their knowledge or design trends, competitors’ products, production costs, etc.

quinze milan m2 wilson Career in Industrial Designing

Work Environment
Industrial designers may work in a variety of settings – manufacturing concerns in their design departments, or in design consultancies. All types of equipment manufacturers manufacturing products for the home or office or entertainment, automobile or bicycle or exercise equipment – could be the employers of an industrial designer.
The work environment is usually well lit and comfortable. Work hours are usually regular except when deadlines are to be met. Freelance designers usually work longer hours. Pressure of deadlines is always there for experienced professionals who have to take on a lot of specialized work.
Specialisations
Product designers design all kinds of consumer goods (for example, domestic applices, or suitcases) as well as the design of machine tools and mechanical equipment, or trains and cars. Designers in this field of specialization work together with engineers, who in the past did their own designing. They must, therefore, understand engineering process, methods and problems. Experienced
Designers often specialize in designing one type of product, such as kitchen equipment, or plastic utensils. But beginners try to gain as wide an experience as possible of manufacturing processes and materials.
Textile designers can specialize in printed and woven textiles, carpets, wallpaper, plastic surface coverings, etc. Thorough technical knowledge of materials, machines and manufacturing methods is essential. Textile designers may work on their own and take their designs to manufacturers or they may work in the design department of manufacturers of textile and furnishings.
Ceramic designing involves designing of goods made of ceramic for decorative purposes such as pottery or porcelain figurines, and for utilitarian purposes such as tableware, sanitary ware, and light fittings. The designers must appreciate the aesthetic and utilitarian aspects and design the item accordingly. A through understanding of the techniques of manufacturing and the use of materials is required. There is scope for working in the manufacturing unit or one can opt for freelancing.
Furniture designers design furniture for homes, offices, factories/workplaces with different types of materials such as wood, ply board, plastic, steel, iron and many others. The items designed must be in tune with the prevailing trends, and also utilitarian and affordable for the type of market they are meant for. Designers have to update their knowledge of the different types of materials available, the technology relating to their optimal use, techniques of construction, and other contemporary needs. Furniture designers can function on their own or set up a firm with a group of like minded designers. They can specialize in furniture for a particular use – office furniture systems – or they may have different departments designing furniture for various uses. They may also venture into retailing of brand furniture.

moroso otto wilson scott Career in Industrial Designing

Physical and Psychological Requirements
Creative sensibility, resilience, self-confidence and talent are important attributes for all design professionals. Industrial designers need technical as well as artistic sensibility, curiosity, a logical and analytical mind, an interest in the social environment, understanding of science and technology, ability to communicate with clients and co-workers, the ability to take responsibility and criticism.
An eye for colour and detail, a sense of proportion and balance, an appreciation of aesthetics, and alongside an understanding of mass-production are required.
Study/Training
There are various routes for entry into this profession. The courses that can help to train are:

  • Diploma in Art/Design usually of 2-4 years’ duration
  • Eligibility: Class 10 or 12.
  • Bachelor of Design programmes are usually of 3 or 4 years duration
  • Eligibility: 10+2 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics

Selection process for the above programmes usually includes an aptitude test. In its entirety, selection is based on academic merit plus performance in the aptitude test along with motivation (shown in a possible interview)

  • Alternate training programmes for entry are the Bachelor of Fine Arts/Applied Art.
  • Duration of such programmes may be 3/4/5 years.
  • Eligibility: 10+2 or 10 depending upon the university.

Usually, polytechnics provide training in one or some of the fields of industrial design training after class 10 or 12. Industrial Design may also be a component of the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art) protramme in some universities or colleges of art. Among the more popular specializations being offered in Industrial Design in an art programme are Ceramic Design and Textile Design. A Fine Arts programme can form the basis of a career in design if one specializes in graphic design, textile design, ceramic design, interior design, etc.

The primary objective of a professional education in design is to inculcate within the student a concern for the quality of the physical environment and for its relevance to human needs.
The premier institute of design in the country – National Institute of Design at Ahmedabad – 380007 imparts training after selecting students with potential aptitudes and attitudes, and the motivation, and help them to acquire knowledge, skills and techniques. Through the curricula of theoretical study combined with practical applications students attain maturity and experience, which enable them to translate their training and skills into remurative channels.

In a bid to channelise creativity and talent at the earliest. NID offers professional design courses to Plus Two students. Other than these, one can specialize in design at the postgraduate level. The entrance exams are conducted sometime around January the following year and the session starts by June.

NID offers the 4-year Graduate Diploma Programme in Design to school-leavers as well as those with higher qualifications. The first two semesters are a Foundation Programme. After this, students choose their stream of design with specialization in Product Design, Furniture Design and Ceramic Design, Graphic Design, Animation Film and Video Communication, Textile Design and Exhibilition Design.

In the final phase of the 4-year programme students have to undertake a diploma project in a specific discipline area in their chosen stream. They are assigned to different companies for their projects. If a company likes the young desginer’s work, he/she may well find his design in the market by the time he/she passes out. Placements follow directly from the campus though many prefer doing their own thing.

NID also offers Advanced Entry into its Professional Education Programme in different disciplines, leading to a Diploma, Candidates selected for Advanced Entry are expected to complete the programme in two and a half years.

Entry qualifications for these programmes have been kept quite flexible but it is important to have keen interest in and an aptitude for conceiving innovative and pracatical ideas and an ability to work towards their implementation. Upper age limit for applicants is 25 year (relaxable by 3 years for SC/ST candidates) as on 1st June of the year of applying.

Employment Prospects
Industrial designers work in various industries depending upon the design speciality. Industrial designers working in set/theatre design work in theatre and film companies, ceramic designers may work in designing pottery or tableware. Furniture designers work with companies manufacturing or marketing furniture.
As in all creative work, success depends on ability, luck, personality and many other variables such as current taste/trends and business/economic conditions. In the present business environment, careers in design offer good prospects. There is growing demand for more goods, fresh designs, better and sleek looks, optimum functional utility, handiness, and comfort – the list is endless.
The textile industry, the electrical goods industry, the consumer good industry, the furniture industry, and the ceramic good industry are looking for professional designers who can create a better look for their products and help to innovate. Beginners in manufacturing units may start with monthly emoluments of Rs.8000 plus as designers. In the earlier years, on-the-job training is usually imparted and this helps to add value for the designer.
Consultants can earn good profits. In this career personal caliber makes all the difference between success and failure.
Career Progression
Advancement for a designer in regular employment is usually linked to experience and success in retaining clients.
Experienced designers advance to senior positions in the design department. They may also be invited as visiting faculty to important design schools. Many designers decide to set up their own firms.
Filed Under: Career

Sharing is Caring!

  • Pin It

    • Related Posts:

    1. Career in Interior Designing
    2. Career in Fashion Designing
    3. Career in Software Engineering
    4. Career in Leather and Footwear Design
    5. Career in Gemology & Jewellery Design
    6. Career in Engineering (Technicians)

    		We'll send more interesting posts like Career in Industrial Designing to you!
    →Enter your Email Address:
    Join us on Facebook.

    Article by Siddartha Thota

    is a Part-Time blogger and Student. He is a freelancer, SMO expert and His areas of Interests are SEO, Social Media analysis. You can read more about him here.You can follow him on Facebook | Twitter | Google+.You can subscribe to GadgetCage RSS Feed or Email Norifications.

    Siddartha has written 585 awesome articles for us.

    Speak Your Mind

    *