Sistema de Gestin

de la Calidad

REGIONAL HUILA
CENTRO DE LA INDUSTRIA, LA EMPRESA Y LOS SERVICIOS
GUA DE TRABAJO

Names: ____________________________________ Program code: _________

Look up the words:
Feature: ________________
Industrial goods: ______________
Marketing: _____________
Appealing: ______________
Brands: _______________
Advice: ________________
Sketch: ________________
3Dimensional mock-up: ___________________
TASK: Read the texts and answer the questions.
Industrial Designer Job Duties
Industrial designers are responsible for the look of many of the products bought,
used and consumed every day. It is the job of an industrial designer to create, plan
and style manufactured goods, including automobiles, household products, food
packaging, consumer electronics and medical equipment.
An industrial designer considers the usability, ergonomics and aesthetics of
common mass-produced items and works to improve the design, function,
engineering and marketing of these items. Likewise, they are responsible for the
familiar look of brands and products like Jeep, iPods and the Coke bottle.
1. What does an industrial designer do?
2. Why is it important to have a clear understanding of ergonomics?
On the Job with an Industrial Designer
Industrial designers work with many different specialists, like materials scientists,
engineers, marketers and accountants, to create new products. When beginning a

Sistema de Gestin
de la Calidad

REGIONAL HUILA
CENTRO DE LA INDUSTRIA, LA EMPRESA Y LOS SERVICIOS
GUA DE TRABAJO

project, industrial designers have to start with a client meeting in which the client
says what kind of needs he/she has, the features the new product must have in
order to be appealing and functional. Also, the designer advises the product
planning team on how existing products can be improved and new ones
introduced. They also work with the market research department to assess the
product performance characteristics required by consumers and establish visual
characteristics that will give the sales team an edge in the marketplace.
Next, the designers may create and sketch several different design ideas and
present these options to the client. After the client has decided what ideas are to be
pursued, the industrial designers go to work creating computer renderings with
CAD programs and graphic design or photo imaging software; they also create 3dimensional mock-ups to help clients visualize the final results. After the client
decides on the final product design, the project moves to the engineering
department for the manufacturing process.
3. What does the designer speak with the client in their first meeting?
4. Make a flow chart about the design process.
Some of the most basic skills for an industrial designer are:
a. Sketching and freehand drawing ability have to be excellent. Designers
have to be fast and fluid, not slow and considered.
b. Good model making ability in foam, plaster, resins, MDF board including at
least an awareness of Rapid Prototyping technologies such as SLA, SLS,
LOM, silicon rubber castings, investment casting, soft tooling options etc.
c. 3D Modelling skills in 1 high end package such as Pro/E, Alias, Catia, IDEAS or to a lesser extent 1 mid-range package like Solidworks, Form Z,
Rhino 3D, 3D Studio Max etc.
5. Why do you consider it is important to develop the four skills described

above?