Graduates will know how to get a job in industrial design if their career goals have been clear from the start. Industrial design combines applied art and science to improve a product’s usability, ergonomics, and aesthetics. This particular area of study is concerned with the study of form and function.
Featured Programs
Educational Foundation
Prospective industrial designers need to equip themselves with a solid educational foundation to be competitive in the job market. This is one area where self-study may not be as productive for career objectives since it requires understanding of the physical sciences, engineering principles, industrial materials and processes as well as a working knowledge of social sciences and communication arts. Students are expected to develop skills in problem-solving, ability to convey concepts, good communication skills, computer proficiency, and mechanical aptitude.
A typical program curriculum in Industrial Design includes courses in Graphic and Industrial Design, Computer Imaging in the Design Process, Contemporary Manufacturing Processes, Professional Practice in Industrial Design, Digital Processes, and Human-Centered Design. Internship should be part of the educational foundation for students to gain career-related experience. This real-world experience is an important credential in job application.
Qualifications
Aside from having solid educational background and diverse experience, preferred industrial designers must have a strong sense of the aesthetic with a specific eye for color and detail, including a sense of balance and proportion. Applicants must possess basic skills such as sketching while having the knowledge of computer-aided design software and other advances in technology.
Higher positions will require additional skills in project management, accounting, marketing, quality assurance, purchasing, and strategic planning. Industrial designers who choose the teaching path often have to maintain their own design studios just to keep them abreast of recent developments. Those who decide to open their own design firms must be armed with determination to work independently.
Getting a Job in Industrial Design
Due to the consistent increase in demand for new and upgraded products, industrial designers will not be lacking of work opportunities. However, in spite of the increased opportunities, the corresponding increase in interest of job-seekers to be part of the field likewise raises the level of competition. That is why it is necessary for industrial designers to be fully prepared to show their knowledge and capabilities in the best light possible.
Applicants must able to demonstrate their ability to react accordingly to consumer demands as well as the ability to work with a team in order to have improved job prospects than others. Economic slow-down usually affects the job outlook for product designers since it is one of the areas that can easily be outsourced. Thus, it is essential that industrial designers prove their worth.
Featured Programs
A strong portfolio can provide job-seekers a way of finding a good job related to industrial design. It should document the applicant’s best work and showcase technical expertise, versatility, and creativity. Related work experience should also be highlighted. Possible work environments include manufacturing establishments, design firms, and large corporations. It is also possible to be part of an organized international design team since this is allowed by current computer sophistication. All that said, applicants now know how to get a job in industrial design.
Follow
