Industrial designer
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in offices, studios or workshops
- Need to be creative, identify and solve problems and communicate well
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Design manufactured products
- Develop design concepts
- Create technical drawings
- Work with others to develop designs
- Present work to clients
- Estimate project costs
- Oversee construction and installation activities
- Make models
- Do market research
- Monitor trends
Outlook
Industrial design is being shaped by demand for products that are useful, sustainable and easy to use. In New Zealand, opportunities are linked to specialist manufacturing, consumer products, medical technology, primary industries and export-focused businesses. Digital design tools, rapid prototyping and 3D printing are speeding up development. Globally, organisations are also placing more emphasis on circular design, repairability and reducing material waste.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Creative thinking combined with practical problem-solving
- Ability to understand user needs and test design ideas
- Skill in sketching, visual communication and presentation
- Confidence using digital design and modelling tools
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing and prototyping
- Awareness of sustainability, accessibility and product safety
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.