How To: Become a Car Designer

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Futura Recruitment is giving you a 'how-to' guide on how to become a car designer.

Car designers, or automobile designers, have the responsibility of creating innovative designs that improve the functionality and appearance of automobiles.

Gaining necessary skills/education

Prior to getting your formal education in automotive design, it is important that you possess a genuine interest and a passion in cars. If you can, it is always good to spend some time in an automotive shop or do some work, first hand on a car to see how a vehicle is built, and their mechanical functions.

Other useful tips:

• Develop knowledge of latest trends in automotive design
• Build up on drawing and sculpting skills

Complete a bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum educational requirement when applying for any car designer position.

A degree in an automotive design or automotive engineering program is ideal, however, you may also qualify to be a car designer if you possess a bachelor's degree in industrial design or industrial engineering.

A majority of automotive design programs will offer courses that focus on the design element of cars as well as other road vehicles.

Master's degree = higher salary

Some automotive designers will decide to pursue a master's degree in the possibility of qualifying for higher pay.

Building up your portfolio

Remember that your portfolio needs to showcase your creativity and innovation. Do mock drawings for a variety of companies. Note that you will need to keep up to date with current designs and styles that are trending and use those in your designs.

You will also need to take note of current corporate styles and incorporate those into the designs.

It is advised to chooses several big names such as Volkswagen, Ford etc and produce sketches with reference to their designs.

Futura Recruitment can help you with your job search and offer advice for candidates.

Starting a Career in Automotive Design

If you're looking to start a career in automotive design. there are certain qualifications that you will need.

Automotive design covers everything to do with the development of road vehicles. Designers create concepts using sketches and CAD programs to aid with the visual appearance, also the vehicles' functional performance.

Similar to all other industrial and commercial designers, a common path to employment is through a bachelor's degree.

Preparing for university

The majority of design schools will often ask applicants to submit a portfolio, otherwise some samples of their work. This can sometimes be a part of the admission process when applying to design schools. When developing a portfolio for future use, it will help immensely to pick electives in art, drafting or drawing.

Earning a Bachelor's degree

Generally, automotive design employers will be looking for applicants to possess a Bachelor's degree in design or in the engineering field.

Internships

Many automotive firms will offer an internship to those interested in working in the automotive industry. It is a great opportunity to work as an intern as you will be able to build up a professional portfolio, something that is vital for you secure a permanent position following graduation.

Graduate degree

As there is a rise in the importance that is placed on the role that different products play on a company's business plan, prospective automotive designers with business skills are now much more desirable in the present day market.

Futura Recruitment's job alerts will notify you about positions that become available for the sectors that you select.

Automotive Design: Design Elements

Automotive design is name given to the development and enhancement of vehicles.

Typically, when considering the design elements of vehicle, there will be three stations appointed to the design team: one responsible for the interior, another for the exterior, and the last in charge of the colour and trim.

The interior design team will be responsible for the shapes, proportions, surfaces and placements for the instrument panel, as well as the design of the seating, door trim panels, pillar trims, headliner etc. Designers must understand that the passenger's comfort and ergonomics is what matters most here.

Exterior designers follow a similar path to the interior designers as they think up designs for the shape of the exterior, proportions and its surface. Initial designs are executed digitally or manually and then further developed all the while needing stages of approval. Both exterior and interior designs will go through the process of sketches, digital model and clay model.

Regarding the design of the colour and trim of the vehicle, this team will be responsible for researching, designing and developing all of the interior and exterior components such as the material and colours. Designers will be working together with both interior and exterior design teams all the while taking into consideration how to marry the colour(s), texture(s) and pattern(s).

Often, inspiration will be drawn from other designed advances such as architecture, fashion etc.

Looking for a career in automotive design? Futura Group - automotive recruitment, could be just what you are looking for!

What is Automotive Engineering?

As a profession, automotive engineering is among the most exciting that can cover the global issues of sustainable mobility to teaching cars to drive alone – it is all about the future.

Futura are proud to supply professionals primarily within Automotive Design on a multinational scale, concentrating on our clients based in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, France, Italy, India, China, Japan, Spain, Russia and South Korea. See more at Car Design Jobs

There are endless challenges that come up with personal mobility. The role of an automotive engineer is flexible within the industry and can oversee the look and feel of current cars to the security and safety of new and upcoming forms of transport.

To simplify the work of an automotive engineer, it can be split into three of the following categories:

Design: Designing new products and improving existing ones

Research and development: Seeking solutions for engineering problems

Production: Executing the planning and design phase for new production processes

The initial step of becoming an automotive engineer is studying at university. Those starting out will study Mechanical Engineering, although there are more Automotive Engineering degrees becoming available.

As an automotive engineer, you are presented with endless opportunities to work for some of the big giants within the industry, ranging from car manufacturers to fuel specialists.

Automotive engineers have the ability to work on a global scale. Prospective engineers may be asked if they have the ability to communicate on a global level as well as understand other cultures other than their own. A way of being a part of the international community is through seeking out and joining an automotive engineering society in your county.

A typical automotive engineer will have dynamic, visionary attributes. They are generally forward-thinking.

If you’d like to know further information about automotive design, car design jobs or what Futura do, please visit the website specialised in automotive recruitment!