Summary: Have you ever wondered what do Industrial Designers do? Industrial design is a creative field that designs functional and visually appealing products. It's an exciting career for those passionate about design and making a positive impact through well-designed products. Let's have a deeper look at what do Industrial Designers do.

Have you ever wondered how your favourite products are designed? Who is responsible for creating the sleek and functional gadgets, furniture, and everyday items we use? Enter the fascinating realm of industrial design! In this article, we'll delve into what do industrial designers do, the career options available with an industrial design degree, the average salaries they earn, where they work, and the tasks they tackle daily. So, let's dive in and explore the exciting world of product creation!

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What Do Industrial Designers Do?

Industrial designers are creative problem solvers who blend art, science, and technology to design visually appealing, user-friendly products. Here are some essential tasks that industrial designers handle:

1. Research and Ideation

Industrial designers begin by researching user needs, market trends, and technological advancements.

2. Concept Development

Once armed with insights, industrial designers move on to developing concepts. They sketch, create digital renderings, or build physical prototypes to visualise their ideas.

3. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Prototyping

Industrial designers translate their concepts into detailed technical drawings using specialised software like CAD. They may also create physical prototypes to evaluate ergonomics, user experience, and material suitability.

4. Material Selection and Manufacturing Considerations

Industrial designers carefully choose materials that enhance the product's functionality, durability, and aesthetics. They consider environmental impact, sustainability, and manufacturability during the material selection.

5. User Experience and Usability

Industrial designers prioritise user experience and usability. They conduct user testing, gather feedback, and iterate on the design to optimise the overall experience and meet user expectations.

Check: Career Opportunities After a Design Degree

What Can You Do with an Industrial Design Degree?

Obtaining an industrial design degree opens a world of diverse career opportunities. Here are some popular career paths you can pursue:

1. Industrial Designer

As a designer, you'll be involved in the entire design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and manufacturing.

2. Product Developer or Engineer

In this role, you collaborate closely with industrial designers to transform their design concepts into functional products. You focus on the technical aspects of product development.

3. User Experience (UX) Designer

Industrial designers often have a keen understanding of user needs and behaviours. You can specialise as a UX designer with additional training or experience in user experience design.

4. Furniture or Automotive Designer

As a furniture designer, you'll create innovative and functional pieces that meet aesthetic and ergonomic requirements.

5. Entrepreneur or Freelancer

This path offers the opportunity to engage in various projects, work alongside different clients, and enjoy creative freedom.

Check: Fashion Designing as a Career

Get Inspired: Work That Made a Difference

Here are three works of art that have influenced the design Industry and made a significant impact on the audience that you can show to people who ask you what do industrial designers do -

Tata Swach

The Tata Swach is a water purifier developed by Tata Chemicals, a subsidiary of the Tata Group in India. It aims to provide affordable and effective water purification solutions, particularly in areas with limited access to clean drinking water.

The purifier uses an innovative technology called "Swarovski," which uses rice husk ash as a filtration medium. The Tata Swach is compact and lightweight and does not require electricity, making it suitable for rural areas. It has significantly impacted the industry by offering an accessible and sustainable solution for clean drinking water.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner

Designed by James Dyson: The Dyson vacuum cleaner, developed by British inventor James Dyson, revolutionised the cleaning industry. Dyson's innovative approach involved cyclonic separation technology, replacing the conventional bag-based filtration system. This breakthrough design improved suction efficiency and eliminated the need for disposable bags, making it more convenient and eco-friendly.

iPhone (Apple)

Designed by Jonathan Ive, The iPhone, created by Apple Inc., revolutionised the smartphone industry. Jonathan Ive, the former Chief Design Officer at Apple, played a crucial role in shaping the iPhone's iconic design. His emphasis on sleek aesthetics, user-friendly interfaces, and seamless hardware and software integration set new standards for mobile device design.

These are just a few of the many game-changing industrial designs. The design industry is growing rapidly, and these designs are playing a leading role in shaping the future of design worldwide.

Check: How to Become a Designer in 2024 

What Subjects Do You Need to Become an Industrial Designer?

An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Industrial Design is required to become an Industrial Designer. 

To secure admission to an undergraduate degree in Industrial design, candidates must have cleared 12th (10+2) from a recognised board with a minimum aggregate of 50%.

To be eligible for a postgraduate program, you should possess a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture design, interior design, or equivalent.

Course	Eligibility
UG course	Passed 12th with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks from a recognised board. Must appear for admission to the entrance examination of the concerned universities.
PG course	A bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks or equivalent. Must appear for the entrance examination conducted by universities for admission.

Check: How is Life at NID 

Top Industrial Design Colleges, India

Several top colleges in India offer excellent programs for pursuing a degree in industrial design. Here are some of the leading design colleges known for their quality industrial design courses:

1. National Institute of Design (NID) - Campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru.

2. Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) - Campus in Mumbai

3. Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay – Campus in Mumbai

4. Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology - Campus in Bengaluru

5. MIT Institute of Design – Campus in Pune

These colleges provide students with a comprehensive education in industrial design, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Aspiring industrial designers can choose from these esteemed institutions to embark on a rewarding career in design.

Check: Is Fashion Designing a Good Career in India in 2024 

Conclusion

We have looked at what do industrial designers do in this article. Industrial design is an exciting field that combines creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills to create innovative and user-centred products.

Industrial designers play a crucial role in shaping the world, from research and ideation to prototyping and collaboration. With a degree in industrial design, you can embark on a rewarding career, exploring various industries and making a tangible impact by creating well-designed products. So, if you have a passion for design and want to improve people's lives through innovative products, consider pursuing a career in industrial design.