Automotive designer

Description

An Automotive Designer is a creative professional who designs and develops the exterior and interior aesthetics of vehicles, blending engineering with visual artistry to create cars, trucks, and other modes of transportation that are both functional and visually appealing. They consider aspects such as aerodynamics, ergonomics, materials, and brand identity, using design to enhance vehicle performance, safety, and user experience. Automotive Designers are integral to the automotive industry, helping to shape the look and feel of the cars that consumers drive, from concept to final production.

Automotive designers typically do the following:

  • Create concept sketches, renderings, and digital models of vehicle exteriors and interiors to develop design ideas.
  • Collaborate with engineers to balance aesthetics with structural requirements, aerodynamics, and safety standards.
  • Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create 3D models of vehicle designs for visualization and testing.
  • Design vehicle interiors, focusing on layout, comfort, and functionality of elements like dashboards, seats, and controls.
  • Conduct market research to stay informed on consumer trends, brand requirements, and competitor designs.
  • Develop color schemes, materials, and finishes that complement both the vehicle’s aesthetic and functional needs.
  • Refine and adjust designs based on feedback from teams in engineering, marketing, and manufacturing.
  • Present design concepts to stakeholders and make modifications based on input from design reviews and testing.
  • Stay current with advancements in automotive technology, sustainability, and materials to integrate innovation into designs.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to automotive designer:

automotive design specialist
3D truck designer
2D automobile designer
motor vehicle clay model designer
3D automobile designer
motor vehicle design specialist
automobile designer
2D automotive designer
auto designer
3D car designer
automotive design expert
automotive model maker
2D car designer
car designer
2D truck designer
automobile stylist
automotive modeller
3D automotive designer
truck designer
car stylist
automotive stylist
automotives designer
motor vehicle clay model design expert
motor vehicle clay model design specialist

Working conditions

Automotive Designers work primarily in design studios, either within automotive companies or specialized design firms. They collaborate closely with teams from engineering, manufacturing, and marketing to develop viable design concepts that meet practical and aesthetic requirements. Work is largely computer-based, with significant time spent using CAD software and 3D modeling tools. Designers may also work in prototype shops, testing and refining their designs. Working hours are typically regular, though deadlines and project cycles may require additional time, particularly when nearing production milestones or preparing for auto shows.

Minimum qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in automotive design, industrial design, or transportation design is typically required to become an Automotive Designer. Courses in aerodynamics, materials science, engineering principles, and design software like AutoCAD, Alias, and SolidWorks are essential. Many designers start with internships or entry-level positions in the automotive industry, where they develop practical experience and build portfolios. A strong portfolio showcasing creativity, technical skill, and a grasp of automotive trends is critical for career advancement. Continuous education is important as the industry evolves, particularly in areas like sustainable design, electric vehicles, and autonomous driving technology.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Automotive designer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Automotive designer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to automotive designer.

aerodynamics engineer
naval architect
tooling engineer
container equipment design engineer
industrial tool design engineer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of automotive designer.

  • Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
  • Material mechanics: The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
  • Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
  • Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
  • Aesthetics: Set of principles based on which something is appealing and beautiful.
  • Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
  • Mechanics of motor vehicles: The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.
  • Vehicle manufacturing process: Series of steps taken in order to produce a car or any other motor vehicle such as the design, the chassis and body assembly, the painting process, the interior assembly and the quality control.
  • Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of automotive designer.

  • Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
  • Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
  • Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
  • Draw design sketches: Create rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of automotive designer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • 3D printing process: The process of reproducing 3D objects by using 3D printing technologies.
  • CADD software: The computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the use of computer technology for design and design documentation. CAD software replaces manual drafting with an automated process.
  • CAD software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
  • Manual draughting techniques: Techniques used for creating detailed drawings of designs by using specialised pencils, rulers, templates and scales.
  • Defense system: The various weapons and weapon systems used to protect citizens and to harm or shield incoming enemies and enemy weapons.
  • Synthetic natural environment: The simulation and representation of components of physical world such as climate, wheather and space where military systems exist in order to obtain information and perform tests.
  • Ergonomics: The science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of automotive designer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Manage supplies: Monitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities and synchronise supply with demand of production and customer.
  • Perform physical stress tests on models: Perform tests on products’ models to analyse the ability of products to endure temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors.
  • Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
  • Use manual draughting techniques: Use non-computerised draughting techniques to make detailed drawings of designs by hand with specialised tools such as pencils, rulers and templates.
  • Create a product’s virtual model: Create a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.
  • Use CADD software: Use computer-aided design and drafting software to make detailed drawings and blueprints of designs.
  • Analyse stress resistance of products: Analyse the ability of products to endure stress imposed by temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors, by using mathematical formulas and computer simulations.
  • Build a product’s physical model: Build a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.
  • Monitor technology trends: Survey and investigate recent trends and developments in technology. Observe and anticipate their evolution, according to current or future market and business conditions.
  • Examine engineering principles: Analyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.
  • Write stress analysis reports: Write down a report with all your findings encountered during the stress analysis. Write down performances, failures and other conclusions.
  • Use CAD software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
  • Design prototypes: Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
  • Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
  • Assess operating cost: Estimate the operating cost in terms of manpower, consumables and maintenance.
  • Estimate duration of work: Produce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given project.
  • Analyse production processes for improvement: Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.
  • Perform market research: Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

ISCO group and title

2163 – Product and garment designers


References
  1. Automotive designer – ESCO
  2. Automotive Designer: Job Duties, Career Outlook, and Education Prerequisites – Learn.org
  3. Automotive designers – Vault
  4. Automotive designer – Sort Your Future
  5. Featured image: By Matti Blume – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated on November 4, 2024