Industrial Designers

Description

Alejandra sits in the back seat of her family car watching tree after boring tree zoom by. She imagines her dream car--one with a DVD player, video-game centre and a portable snack dispenser. She gets out her pen and paper and starts sketching the design. She may not realize it, but she's doing the work of an industrial designer.

Industrial designers conceive, create, and produce designs for a wide variety of manufactured products--from cars to toasters.

Designers make products that are easy to use, appealing to customers, and economical to manufacture. They may create a whole new product that will put their company ahead of the competition. Sometimes they develop a corporate image (like the McDonalds golden arches). It's their job to make sure the image or logo is attractively used on all the company's products.

Some industrial designers also design packaging, store displays, or signs. Their industrial design knowledge may be applied to administrative details, such as developing guidelines or standards for using the product they've created.

Specific duties

The main duties of industrial designers are to

• consult with clients, engineers or production specialists to determine the product requirements
  
• research how the product will be used, who will use it and how safe it is
  
• analyze how much it costs to make, what materials will be used and how it will be distributed
  
• develop a design for the product and describe it to the client by means of drawings, models and reports, and
  
• turn the design into technical drawings and specifications to produce a prototype (model).
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Architectural Technologists & Technicians
• Civil Engineering Technologists & Technicians
• Designers for Theatre, Fashion & Exhibits
• Drafting Technologists & Technicians
• Electrical Engineering Technologists & Technicians
• Graphic Designers & Illustrators
• Interior Designers
• Mechanical Engineering Technologists & Technicians

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TIK2O Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open	AVI3M Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or AVI3O Visual Arts, Grade 11, Open or ICS3M Computer and Information Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TCJ3C Construction Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TGJ3M Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	AVI4M Visual Arts, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or ICS4M Computer and Information Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TCJ4C Construction Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

* good math skills are required in this career (ability in calculus often preferred)

* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• Start by taking a three- to four-year industrial design program at a community college. Or you could choose to get a university degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering, which could mean better employment opportunities.
  
  
• One of your most important tools is your portfolio (samples of your work). This shows employers that you have the creative ability they are looking for. Learn about building a good portfolio from your school, local colleges, libraries, other designers, or the Web.
  
  
• No special licences, certificates, or registration are necessary. However, with the right training and work experience, you can qualify for membership in the Association of Canadian Industrial Designers.
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
University
Carleton University	Architectural Studies (M.Arch.) Architectural Studies (M.Arch.) Post-Professional Industrial Design (B.I.D.)
Lakehead University	Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Civil Engineering
McMaster University	Civil Engineering (B.Eng.) Civil Engineering (M.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng.)
Queen's University	Civil Engineering (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.Sc., M.Eng., M.Sc.Eng.)
Royal Military College of Canada	Civil Engineering (B.Eng.)
Ryerson University	Architectural Science (B.Arch.Sc.) Civil Engineering (B.Eng.) Civil Engineering (M.A.Sc., M.Eng.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng.)
University of Ottawa	Civil Engineering & Computing Technology (B.A.Sc., B.Sc.) Civil Engineering (B.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng., M.A.Sc.)
University of Toronto	Architecture (Landscape) (M.Arch) Architecture, Landscape, and Design (M.Arch) Architecture, Landscape, and Design (M.Arch) Building Engineering (M.Eng., M.A.Sc.) Building Engineering (Ph.D.) Civil Engineering (B.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.A.Sc., M.Eng.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng)
University of Waterloo	Architecture (M.Arch.) Civil Engineering (B.A.Sc.) (Co-op only) Civil Engineering (M.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng.)
University of Windsor	Civil Engineering (B.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.A.Sc.) Civil Engineering (M.Eng)

Page 1 of 2

1  2  >

Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Industrial designers are usually employed by manufacturing or design firms. They often specialize in the design of one type of product, such as furniture, cars, or appliances.

An experienced designer in a large firm may advance to chief designer. Sometimes designers work freelance or open their own design firms. Some may choose to become teachers in design schools or community colleges.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

machinery and equipment manufacturers
motor vehicle parts manufacturers
business services firms
architectural, engineering and other scientific companies
electronic equipment manufacturers
household furniture makers
manufacturing companies
sporting goods and toy manufacturers
household furniture stores

Work environment

Industrial designers spend a lot of time in meetings with their production team and with clients. Sometimes they have to travel to showrooms or design centres.

Meeting deadlines is an important (and stressful) part of this job, so designers often work long hours. Their workplaces vary--from an office or an overcrowded work room to the plant floor.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Furniture Designer
Industrial Design Consultant
Industrial Designer
Package Designer
Product Designer

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC)
  Includes information about careers, courses, skills and job placement in the steel industry.

• Ontario Job Futures
  Information on occupations common to Ontario. Includes job descriptions, employment outlook, salaries, etc. (Government of Ontario)