Commercial and Industrial Designers

About the Role

Commercial and industrial designers create and develop concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value, and appearance of products and systems.

Other Common Titles

Product Designer
Industrial Design Engineer
Design Consultant
UX/UI Designer
Furniture Designer

Typical Tasks

Conduct market research to understand user needs and trends.
Develop detailed specifications and technical drawings using CAD software.
Create prototypes and models to evaluate design concepts.
Collaborate with engineers and manufacturers to refine product designs.
Evaluate products for functionality, safety, and compliance with standards.
Present design ideas and concepts to clients and stakeholders.
Stay updated on industry trends and new materials or technologies.
Manage projects from inception through to production.

Notable People

Dieter Rams – A renowned German industrial designer known for his work with Braun and his principles of good design.
Yves Behar – An influential Swiss designer and entrepreneur who founded fuseproject and is known for his innovative designs across various sectors.
Jony Ive – Former Chief Design Officer at Apple, credited for leading the design of iconic products like the iPhone and Macbook.

Recommended Resources

Designing Design
A comprehensive guide on the principles and practices of industrial design by Dieter Rams.
Core77
An online community and resource for designers, featuring articles, tools, and job listings.
99% Invisible
A podcast about design and architecture that explores the unnoticed design that shapes our world.