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Useful experience for industrial designers includes:

• visualisation or illustration experience
• computer-assisted design (CAD) experience
• digital fabrication (computer-aided design and manufacture of products using 3D printing or machining)  
• model making
• architecture or interior design work
• craft or furniture design
• manufacturing work in a workshop
• running a business.

Industrial designers may do some or all of the following:

• analyse clients' requirements
• generate ideas for new products
• prepare drawings and models
• trial prototypes (models) to test design progress 
• develop concept designs through to detailed production designs 
• discuss design ideas with clients
• work out material and process requirements
• provide clients with budgets for production of designs
• analyse product patent documents
• test the durability, efficiency, or comfort of products (ergonomics).

Opportunities for industrial designers growing slowly

Demand for industrial designers is gradually increasing because more businesses are designing innovative products and services.

Despite the increase of in-house product design among small-to-medium businesses and manufacturers, industrial design is still a relatively small occupation.

In addition, competition for industrial designer roles is high.

According to the Census, 1,740 industrial designers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Industrial design graduates may work in related roles

Industrial and product design graduates can work in a range of related roles such as:

• design researcher
• strategic designer
• experience designer.

These jobs use skills such as interaction design and service design – looking at how users interact with products or services, and making design improvements. 

How to increase chances of getting industrial design work

You can increase your chances of getting into industrial design by:

• being connected to a professional organisation like The Designers Institute of New Zealand, where you can network and find a mentor
• approaching industrial design companies you’re interested in and asking if you can do an internship during the holidays, which can lead to full-time work
• entering competitions like the student category of The Designers Institute of New Zealand’s annual Best Design Awards, which can raise your profile.  

Types of employers varied

Many industrial designers work for:

• large manufacturing companies
• design or engineering consultancies
• architectural practices.

Some industrial designers are self-employed.

Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)

(09) 529 1713 - designer@dinz.org.nz - www.dinz.org.nz

Industrial designers progress by developing more advanced skills in their area of professional practice, and may move into managerial roles.

Industrial designers may specialise in:

• home appliances, lighting and furniture design
• transport design
• equipment design including medical, agricultural, electronic and recreational equipment
• marine or aircraft interiors
• film production, and stage and tourism design
• retail space design
• service design
• game design
• ergonomic and human factors design (designing services or products that are safe, comfortable, and encourage productivity)
• interaction design (design based on studying how users interact with products or services).

Industrial designers need to be:

• creative and imaginative with good artistic skills
• innovative
• able to work well under pressure
• motivated and confident
• able to accept criticism
• good communicators
• persuasive, as they need to sell their ideas and designs to clients.