industrial designer.

Your duties may differ based on the products you design. However, the standard tasks of industrial designers include the following:

• consulting with clients: as an industrial designer, you meet with clients or managers to determine the design requirements. Sometimes, you work with the marketing team to assess the feasibility of a product and ways to build on its feasibility through design. When you understand the projected uses of a product, you are more likely to create an ideal design for the prototype.
• sketching design ideas: as an industrial designer, you research the uses of a product and the potential consumers. From the research, you come up with sketch ideas or create renderings. The images on paper or computer software provide a visual insight into your design ideas.
• developing virtual models: from the initial design, you improve viable design ideas by creating virtual models using computer software. When you create models for various designs, the production team has options to help them determine the best design models. You then create physical prototypes of your designs that the production engineers can use to generate the products.
• presenting designs and prototypes to clients: as an industrial designer, you present designs and prototypes to clients for approval. For instance, if you create a mobile phone, you ensure the production and marketing teams approve the designs before production. You also work with industry specialists to ensure the design concept fulfils users' needs at an affordable cost.
• determining materials and manufacturing equipment: your job involves formulating manufacturing instructions and ensuring the production team follows them. You also assist the manufacturing team in selecting the best materials for each part or component.
• evaluating products: after production, you evaluate the product design to ensure it is safe and aesthetically appealing to consumers. You also assess its functionality to ensure it is fit for purpose.

You will likely work as an industrial designer in an office or lab environment. Most workspaces for industrial designers have drafting tables and conference rooms for brainstorming ideas. Since you use computer-aided software for design, expect the office to have high-end equipment and computers. While the role involves working indoors, you travel to testing facilities, client exhibit centres and manufacturing sites. Industrial designers also have the option to work from home since they can brainstorm online and complete design ideas using CAD software.

Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include project engineers, project coordinators, project managers, and factory workers. You might also be working close to chemical engineers, product testers, and other specialists that could consist of, but not be limited to, factory supervisors, design consultants and illustrators.

Typically, industrial designers work full-time schedules of 40 to 42 hours a week. However, you will likely work overtime to meet deadlines or complete urgent designs. Sometimes, you adjust your work hours to meet clients in the evenings or weekends. Some industrial designers also work part-time or on short-term contracts.

As an industrial designer, you join the role in an entry-level position. With experience, you can progress to more advanced industrial designer positions. Supervisory roles allow you to improve your leadership skills and progress to managerial or consultancy roles. Alternatively, specialise in tools or industrial automobile design by developing your skills in those specialisms.

Finding your industrial designer job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as the following:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an industrial designer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As an industrial designer, you develop models and prototypes for manufactured products. If your company assembles vehicles or manufactures home appliances, you create the prototypes and develop product designs. You also consult with clients to ensure the products meet their expectations.

Industrial designers create various products, from furniture to home appliances and equipment. The demand for industrial designers is projected to grow by 28.4% in the next five years. Companies rely on industrial designers to develop products and the latest machinery.

You require a bachelor's degree in industrial design to become an industrial designer in Australia. You also need experience in product design gained through internships and entry-level jobs. Some employers require membership with the Design Institute of Australia.

You require artistic skills and creativity to develop product designs as an industrial designer. When you are creative, you will have fresh ideas to improve the look of a product. Your research skills help you evaluate the feasibility of a product design. Your analytical and problem-solving abilities are also useful since you encounter various issues when developing product designs.

Industrial designers have an average remuneration package of $80,000 per year. Your earnings start at $70,000 annually in an entry-level position due to your minimal experience. Experienced industrial designers take home over $90,000 per year.

Applying for an industrial designer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.