Industrial Designers Continued…

Industrial designers have most likely had a hand in almost every kind of product you use including electronics, furniture, transportation and any working gadget around the house. They understand that if something is uncomfortable or awkward to use it will not be a success in the market. They can also be hired by a company to help develop and design a new slogan or business concept. The designer will analyze how it will fit in with the company's goals and the customer's expectation.

What the Job Entails

The main objective is to make the product and the consumer a perfect fit. To do this the industrial designer must understand how the product design will fit with the consumer in regards to a person's environment taking ergonomics, psychology, physiology, and mind set into consideration. They conduct research on product prototypes and get feedback from participants on what they liked or what they didn't.

Industrial designers use models, sketches and various computer programs to go though the development stage. In addition to the physical design, they are also in charge of making sure the product is efficient and is in line with legal restrictions and technology guidelines. Even through an industrial designer may be hired by a company, they work for the consumer and keep his/her best interests in mind. Their job is to make sure that the manufacturer and developer adhere to environmental and safety guidelines.

An industrial designer works with many people in the company including engineers, manufacturers, developers and information technologists. Therefore industrial designers need to have knowledge and experience encompassing the areas of social science, arts, marketing, advertising, technology and development, and manufacturing. As companies are continuing to build new products and use technology to improve on old ones the need for Industrial Designers grows.

The salary of an Industrial Designer increases with experience, with senior designers starting at about $60,000-$70,000 a year. As the profession grows it is becoming more necessary to have a master's degree. It is not uncommon for an industrial designer to become privately contracted after gaining experience and choosing an area of expertise.

So the next time you sit in a comfortable chair or find a stroller or tent that was affordable, easy to set up and overall a satisfactory product, know that you may have a team of industrial designers to thank.

By Jeanne Rongitsch