Industrial designer: profession specifics and job description

Design is associated with advertising and marketing in the minds of most people. But there are also industrial designers who have a completely different profession specifics. Knowing its features and job description will be very useful for everyone who decides to devote themselves to such work.

The work of an industrial designer, as in other areas of design, is aimed at visualizing a particular idea. Only the object to which this visualization is applied differs. At the same time, one cannot completely surrender to the will of one's own imagination. Design is the use of imagination to achieve clear goals. The industrial designer is consistently involved in such stages of the development of the finished product as:

• thinking over the general idea:
• formation of a clear concept;
• preparation of sketches;
• creation of layouts;
• three-dimensional modeling of the finished product;
• final design;
• prototype creation.

A designer in industry doesn’t just “make beautiful”; he must take into account the features of a particular product and its future use. It is necessary to have not only a subtle aesthetic taste, but also a clear idea of ​​how to avoid fatal errors. Even errors in the design of household appliances can lead to serious consequences - what can we say about cars or medical equipment.

Industrial design is a stably demanded area of ​​activity. In any production today, it is important to present a product that people would like and adapt to their needs, and not just solve some problems. Payment for representatives of such a profession is relatively high. The activity itself is creative.

Negative sides are a logical continuation of advantages. So, for a high payment, you will have to work quite a lot. And the creative nature of the activity means that there will be no ready-made solutions. The search for the best option will have to be involuntarily invested in limited time frames. Learning and gaining the necessary qualifications will take a long time.

An industrial design specialist is usually appointed to the position and removed from it by the decision of the General Director. The presentation is made by the chief engineer or the head of the design department. The job description must prescribe the requirements for educational training. Usually this is a higher education with no work experience or secondary vocational training with at least 2 years of experience in the specialty. An industrial designer must know:

• Russian regulations in the field of labor law, labor organization and copyright;
• design preparation of production;
• ergonomic requirements;
• computer programs (not only graphic editors, but also text, browsers, presentations, other necessary software);
• techniques for working out sketches, the formation of physical models, compositional rules and proportions;
• principles of using color and form;
• design approaches;
• development prospects of a particular company and its current state;
• technical parameters and economic characteristics of the optimal products of Russian and foreign competitors;
• computer-aided design systems;
• certification principles.

Also important for an industrial designer:

• the ability to make and read drawings, other design and production documentation;
• mastery of the basics of office work;
• the ability to use Internet resources for professional activities;
• the procedure for technical calculations in the design process;
• production technology;
• main parameters of the materials used in the created products;
• basics of graphic art;
• basics of patent science;
• organization economics.

Among the duties, it is especially worth emphasizing the preparation of sketches and layouts (independently and together with other people). We will also have to make physical and virtual models. Industrial designers:

• develop layout schemes and compositions;
• select the optimal structural and finishing solutions;
• ensure product compliance with ergonomic standards;
• detail the shape of the product;
• prepare art and design proposals.

A specialist in industrial design always thinks primarily about the end user, and not about their own convenience. For him, the ability to think outside the box and find solutions that are not available to the average engineer is extremely important. In such a position, only a person is able to process large amounts of information. You will have to be observant and concentrate on the details, without losing the general perspective. Another industrial designer will have to:

• constantly communicate with people;
• be able to work in a team;
• take reasonable initiative, clearly following the general instructions;
• Be tactful and careful in communicating with customers and their representatives.

Many educational institutions offer to study as an industrial designer. But it is worth giving preference to large universities, where the quality of training is higher. Monthly and even semi-annual courses will give maximum basic information about design work. Preparing to connect with her, it is advisable to get an art education after school. The composition and drawing will be checked on exams at any educational institution. Graduates of Moscow State University and St. Petersburg State University have the best positions in the labor market; diplomas of the St. Petersburg Design Institute and the Moscow University of Design and Business are also well-rated.

The first two courses give general subjects and an introduction to the profession. From the 3rd master professional skill. A four-year undergraduate gives little, and his graduate earns very little.