Industrial product designer
Description
The industrial product designer is in charge of designing and technically developing products with average and high technology, usually in the form of machinery that is more or less household related, which includes a container (box), content (machine and components) and a part related to the user. Just to give an example, this would include from electrical household appliances and drink vending machines to industrial production machine chains. By deduction, this would be all those products unrelated to the following sectors: furniture and lighting, domestic, urban and technical. These projects normally have a certain complexity due to the number of components that comprise them. Industrial product design projects usually meet various needs: the re-design of a product, the creation of a new product, the expansion of a range, the reduction of production costs, the improvement of services, etc., but in all cases innovation and differentiation in the market are sought.
Tasks
- Analysis of the project, company and market.
Before starting the project, the designer analyses the briefing or document in which the design objectives are specified, the positioning of the product and client company and, lastly, the most direct competition.
If the information provided by the company is sufficient and the objectives are very clear, the designer moves on to the preliminary design plan phase.
During this phase, the designer, together with external companies or consultancies, can conduct studies prior to the preliminary plan that make it possible to create a highly-innovative environment, as well as studies on trends, usability, sustainability and the environment, ergonomics, etc. - Preliminary plan to design or prepare the first hypotheses.
The designer proposes different creative ideas with various views of the product, selects and shows different materials and finishes, and prepares the first technical concepts where these products usually require them.
The materials they use for the presentation are illustrations, 3D renders and plans limited with general measurements, and enough materials to define the creative ideas. - Design project.
Once the way in which the work will be carried out is decided, they introduce possible finishing touches and carry out the technical project. During this phase, the materials usually presented are detailed drawings and set drawings, technical construction specifications and volume mock-ups, if necessary. - Monitoring of the project industrialisation.
Monitor the industrialisation and pre-production (if it exists), and resolve and carry out possible changes that may be needed.
