Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Industrial Designer
What industrial designers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an industrial designer?
Review user research on kitchen tools. From there, the day usually includes research users and markets, sketch product concepts, and create 3D CAD models. Most work full-time, with crunch time before launches.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an industrial designer working full time.
- Review user research on kitchen tools.
- Sketch concepts for a new handle.
- Model the design in SolidWorks.
- 3D print a prototype.
- Test grip comfort with users.
- Meet engineers about manufacturing.
- Render images for a presentation.
Where industrial designers work
Designers work in studios, offices, model shops and factories.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time, with crunch time before launches.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Research users and markets
- Sketch product concepts
- Create 3D CAD models
- Build prototypes
- Test designs with users
- Work with engineers on manufacturing
- Present designs to stakeholders
Tools you’ll use every day
- SolidWorks
- Rhino
- KeyShot
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- 3D printers
- Model shop tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Creative problem solving
- See products in the world
- Mix of art and engineering
- Good pay
What’s hard
- Competitive field
- Design constraints
- Deadline pressure
- Slow job growth
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like designing objects
- I enjoy sketching and CAD
- I like solving practical problems
- I’m curious about how things are made
- I like teamwork with engineers
- I want creative work
Not sure? Take the free Industrial Designer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use model shop tools safely
- Design products with user safety in mind
- Wear PPE in shops
- Respect intellectual property