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WORKING WITH
DESIGNERS
1001 STRATEGIES PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
strategies@pldtdsl.net
www.coroflot.com/1001_strategies

PRODUCT DESIGNERS
• Product designers design most things
we use in our day-to-day lives, from
chairs and cutlery to clocks and
computers, as well as specialist
products like medical, electronics or
telecommunications equipment.

• Usually designers specialize in one
particular product category, such as
automobiles and other transportation
vehicles, appliances, technology
goods, medical equipment, furniture,
toys, tools and construction
equipment, or housewares.
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

• Commercial and industrial designers
combine the fields of art, business, and
engineering to design the products
people use every day. In fact, these
designers are responsible for the style,
function, quality, and safety of almost
every manufactured good.
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

• Product designers use their design skills
and technical knowledge to improve the
way that existing products work and
look, and/or produce them at a lower
cost. They may also be involved in
designing entirely new products.
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

• Product designers discuss designs
with colleagues and clients, as well as
working closely with engineers,
model makers, sales and marketing
staff and other skilled people.
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

• In the course of their work, product
designers must consider:
– who will buy the product and how they will
use it
– how to make the product easy and safe to
use
– how to make the product visually attractive
to the target audience
– what materials to use
– how to make the product reliable
– how to make the product cost-effective and
environmentally friendly to produce.
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

• They use drawings, 3-D models and
computer designs to express their
ideas. They should understand
technology, production methods and
materials, and be able to meet
deadlines and work within budgets.
PRODUCT DESIGNERS

EDUCATION
• New entrants usually need a
bachelor’s degree in industrial
design, architecture, or engineering
for most entry-level commercial and
industrial design jobs. Graduates
from other art and design courses
may be able to move into product
design if they can demonstrate their
interest in this area of work.

EDUCATION
• Coursework includes principles of
design, sketching, computer-aided
design, industrial materials and
processes, manufacturing methods,
and some classes in engineering,
physical science, mathematics,
psychology, and anthropology. Many
programs also include internships at
design or manufacturing firms.

EDUCATION
• Many designers earn a master’s
degree in industrial design. Some
already have a bachelor’s degree in
the field, but an increasing number
have degrees and experience in other
areas, such as marketing, information
technology, or engineering, and are
hoping to transfer into a design
occupation.

EDUCATION
• Because of the growing emphasis on
strategic design and how products fit
into a firm’s overall business plan, an
increasing number of designers are
pursing a master’s degree in business
administration to gain business skills.
• Employers expect to see a strong
portfolio of design work. Adults with
relevant qualifications, or experience
in fields like architecture or
engineering, may also be welcomed.

TRAINING AND
ADVANCEMENT
• Training is often a combination of on-
the-job training and short courses on
topics like the use of new software
packages. Training and professional
development programs are offered by
professional bodies.
• Product designers must keep their skills
and knowledge up to date throughout
their careers to meet the challenges
posed by environmental concerns and
new materials and technology.

TRAINING AND
ADVANCEMENT
• Promotion opportunities include
senior designer or team leader roles,
as well as the possibility of moving
into project management.
• Self-employed designers progress by
building their businesses and
expanding their list of clients.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A
PRODUCT DESIGNER
• A product designer should:
– be creative and have an eye for
shape and color
– understand different materials and
production methods
– have technical, practical and
scientific knowledge and ability
– understand what customers look
for in a product

– be able to use drawings, 3D models
and computer designs to express
creative ideas
– have strong IT skills
– be good at planning and organizing
PRODUCT DESIGNER

– be able to work out costings and
budgets
– be good at explaining ideas to
people with varying levels of
technical knowledge
– have listening and questioning
skills for discussing design briefs
and understanding feedback from
colleagues
PRODUCT DESIGNER

– be persuasive and able to 'sell' their
ideas to others
– be able to produce clear, concise
written reports
– work well in a team
– be accurate and pay attention to
detail
– be able to work within deadlines
and budgets.
PRODUCT DESIGNER

• Designers must also be imaginative
and persistent and must be able to
communicate their ideas visually,
verbally, and in writing. Because
tastes and styles can change quickly,
designers need to be well read, open
to new ideas and influences, and
quick to react to changing trends.
PRODUCT DESIGNER

• Problem-solving skills and the ability
to work independently and under
pressure also are important traits.
People in this field need self-discipline
to start projects on their own, to
budget their time, and to meet
deadlines and production schedules.
PRODUCT DESIGNER

• As strategic design becomes more
important, employers will seek
designers with project management
skills and knowledge of accounting,
marketing, quality assurance,
purchasing, and strategic planning.
Good business sense and sales ability
are important, especially for those
who freelance or run their own
business.
PRODUCT DESIGNER

DESIGNER
RESPONSIBILITES
• Responsibilities can vary, but are
likely to involve:
– meeting clients or colleagues to discuss
the design brief
– working closely with engineers, model
makers, sales and marketing staff and
other skilled people
– understanding technology, production
methods and materials (such as textiles,
metals and plastics)
– working within budgets
– working to deadlines

– researching similar products and
developing ideas
– making sketches of ideas by hand or
computer, and developing the most
effective ideas into detailed drawings
using specialist computer software
– ordering samples or working models
of designs
– producing reports and presenting
their ideas to colleagues and clients
at various stages of the design
process
DESIGNER
RESPONSIBILITES

– modifying their ideas according to
the feedback they receive at these
sessions
– overseeing the testing of the
chosen design
– making presentations to potential
clients in order to win new
contracts.
– Some product designers are
involved in researching markets
and consumer trends.
DESIGNER
RESPONSIBILITES

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Designers employed by manufacturing
establishments, large corporations, or
design firms generally work regular
hours in well-lighted and comfortable
settings.
• They usually follow normal working days
and hours but allowed some flexibility.
They are usually based in studios, offices
and workshops, but may also spend
time in the factories where products are
made.

• Individuals working for companies that
design products for foreign markets may
have the opportunity for overseas travel.
• Designers in smaller design consulting
firms, or those who freelance, may work
under a contract to do specific tasks or
designs. They frequently adjust their
workday to suit their clients’ schedules
and deadlines, meeting with the clients
evenings or weekends when necessary.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Consultants and self-employed
designers tend to work longer hours
and in smaller, more congested,
environments. Additional hours may
be required to meet deadlines.
• Keen competition for jobs is
expected; those with strong
backgrounds in engineering and
computer-aided design and extensive
business expertise will have the best
prospects.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Designers also may travel to other
locations, such as testing facilities,
design centers, clients’ exhibit sites,
users’ homes or workplaces, and
manufacturing facilities.
• With the increased speed and
sophistication of computers and
advanced communications networks,
designers may form international design
teams and serve a more geographically
dispersed clientele.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

RENUMERATION
• In the USA, median annual wage-and-salary
earnings for commercial and industrial
designers were $54,560 in May 2006. The
middle 50 percent earned between $41,270
and $72,610. The lowest 10 percent earned
less than $31,510, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $92,970.
• Salaries may range from around £17-20,000
(newly qualified), £25-30,000 (experienced),
to over £45,000 (senior) a year in the UK.
• In developing countries, rates vary
tremendously depending on the country
and the industry.

• A good independent designer is
usually about $65-$110 per hour,
depending upon the market. There
are great design firms that can design
extraordinary product design for a lot
of money. There are also great
designers out there that work in
smaller markets or that are up and
coming that can design great
products for less money.
RENUMERATION

• fixed fees/salaries
• hourly/daily rates
• percentage
• fees as royalties/commissions
• consultancy fees
• retaining fees
RENUMERATION

• There is no legal commitment between
the designer and client during briefing
and negotiation of fees. It is usual that
the designer retains the copyright for
their design until after the completion of
all work and all fees have been paid. At
the end of each stage of the project, the
designer will invoice the client for work
carried out to date. Prompt payment is
always appreciated and the designer
may invoke an interest clause if
payment is not forthcoming within the
agreed timescale.
RENUMERATION

OTHER COST
CONSIDERATIONS
EXTRA SERVICES (FOR HIRED WORK)
• additional or duplicate presentation
material
• extra drawings and/or models
• handling charges
• rushed work
• couriers, etc.

OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
(FOR HIRED WORK)
• Hotel
• Subsistence
• Travel expenses
• Long distance telephone calls
• Fax transmissions
• Photocopies
OTHER COST
CONSIDERATIONS

CONCLUSION
• The potential wins from effective
product design are undeniable. Many
manufacturers will benefit greatly
from the integration of designers,
design thinking and design process
into their normal development
activities. This is especially true
where products need an edge in a
very competitive sales climate.

• It is important that schools will be able
to produce professionals that will be
able to meet the demands of the
industry. At the same time, support for
designers should be established. With
limited opportunities, it will be difficult
to grow and be competitive.
• Designers are more than artists who can
draw. Harnessed properly, they have an
enormous potential to contribute to a
business’ success in the market.
CONCLUSION

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