Industrial Designer

Overview

Plans, designs, develops and documents industrial, commercial or consumer products for manufacture with particular emphasis on ergonomic (human) factors, marketing considerations and manufacturability, and prepares designs and specifications of products for mass or batch production.

Skills

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Tasks

• determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders
• undertaking product research and analysing functional, commercial, cultural and aesthetic requirements
• formulating design concepts for clothing, textiles, industrial, commercial and consumer products, and jewellery
• preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations, plans, samples and models to communicate design concepts
• negotiating design solutions with clients, management, and sales and manufacturing staff
• selecting, specifying and recommending functional and aesthetic materials, production methods and finishes for manufacture
• detailing and documenting the selected design for production
• preparing and commissioning prototypes and samples
• supervising the preparation of patterns, programs and tooling, and the manufacture process

Alternative Titles

• Product Designer

Specialisations

• Ceramic Designer
• Furniture Designer
• Glass Designer
• Textile Designer

Related Occupations

• Fashion Designer
• Jewellery Designer