Becoming an Industrial Designer

Industrial designers create the most attractive appearance for mass-produced objects that are part of our everyday lives, taking into account technical and financial imperatives.

The role of the industrial designer

Design is a strategic tool! There is design in all our objects. The industrial designer thinks of the object as a whole, integrating aesthetic, ergonomic and practical aspects, while taking account of manufacturing constraints.

After understanding the product (customer brand, positioning, marketing objectives, etc.), they imagine and design (shapes, colours, materials, etc.) in line with the customer’s instructions.

The designer may take charge of the complete design of a product or intervene in a more minor way by improving the aesthetics of an existing product.

An industrial designer can work in the field of capital goods (furniture, electrical appliances, etc.) as well as commercial architecture (fitting out premises, designing exhibition stands, etc.).

Conversely, an industrial designer may specialise in the design of one or more products.

Skills and qualities

The challenge of this profession is to innovate and be imaginative within a precise framework, because the industrial designer’s creativity has to take account of the technique and, more generally, the specifications.

Drawing rarely on the drawing board (the pencil and ruler have long since been replaced by the mouse, the computer keyboard and a wide range of software), producing 2D and 3D visuals on the computer, proposing and modifying according to demand – this is the day-to-day life of the industrial designer who has good interpersonal skills.

This profession requires them to be constantly up to date with fashions, concepts, technologies and materials, in order to study and translate consumer needs into their designs.

A healthy dose of curiosity, aesthetic intelligence, a zest for life and resistance to stress will all be assets up the sleeve of the industrial designer.

Industrial designers work in integrated design offices (industrial companies, etc.), design agencies or on a freelance basis, working with a variety of people (marketing department, research and development, ergonomists, etc.).

Salary and career opportunities

Entry-level salaries vary depending on whether you are working for a company, an agency or on your own.

While they may be paid per design (between €7,000 and €40,000 per project), entry-level designers earn an average of between €1,500 and €1,800 gross per month.

Thereafter, the salary will be around €2,600 gross per month.

Industrial designers may progress to project manager, design office manager or maintenance department manager.