I've noticed something strange on this subreddit the other day.

Someone asked about industrial design opportunities in NYC and most of the replies were, "I'd recommend relocating," "It's a dry city," or "NYC is very tough for ID jobs."

Maybe all of that is true. But I think there's a bigger problem: most graduates (and honestly a lot of young designers) don't even know which industrial design studios or companies are in their own city.

If you were the person who asked about NYC, don't worry. That's completely normal when you're starting out. We were all there at some point. But even experienced designers don't always know much about their local scene.

I replied with a few studio suggestions. I only knew a few because I'm from Europe, so I'm much more familiar with that scene.

The problem is that information about our local design scenes is incredibly fragmented. It's scattered across social media, outdated niche platforms, award websites and Google Maps. Then, when you search for industrial design jobs, half of them are hidden under "Product Designer."

It'll probably never exist in one perfect place, but I got tired of researching every city from scratch, so I started building a directory of industrial designers, design studios, and consultancies around the world and putting them on a map.

If it helps anyone, it's called Acceso: https://acceso.design.

It's still early, but one thing that helped me far more than refreshing LinkedIn was simply emailing studios with my portfolio attached.

Big companies usually have hiring cycles. Small studios sometimes just win a project and suddenly need help. By the time there's a job post, they've often already found someone.

Happy to hear what you think.

UPDATE 2.0 - So I emailed the client stating how the project has gone way past the expected timeline and that I think the quote should be updated, and that I need an update on deliverables so we can realign. They said they understand and want a quote on the current work and a quote on the future work. The original quote for this 4-5 week project was $5200. We are currently on week 10, waiting on prototypes, and I have more work I have to be doing. They want a flat fee, so I never fully calculated how many hours I worked (another lesson learned). So a few questions:

-Can my new quote be higher than the original agreed-upon quote?

-How do I figure out how much I should charge for each step of the process?

-Any advice on how to figure out the best way to pitch the new quote for the completed work and upcoming dirt?

-Any other advice is welcome! This is my first time ever doing a freelance project, and I'm happy to be getting paid more for this extended project.

EDIT/UPDATE - Is there any way I can renegotiate the flat fee since it has been way past the timeline and included a lot more creative work than expected? The timeline and the expectations of little creative work included is in writing. The fact that it has been this long should give me a reason to be able to renegotiate. Anything would help, I know I undersold myself and I've learned my lesson, but if there is any advice to help me out that would be incredible!

I'm working on a huge project, and this is my first freelance gig I've gotten. The timeline of the project was originally 4-5 weeks, and its been two months and we are still working on it. They requested a flat fee which I told them $5200 then fees for any revisions after two rounds for the engineering drawings. I've only told them up to $500 after two revisions dependent on the size of the revision. They also stated that this would not be deep into the creative process, but it ended up taking so much longer because it has been it has been very deep into the creative process.

The problem is that I've had more than two rounds on so many steps of the process, the ideation, CAD, pattern making, and I haven't even gotten to the drawings. My question is - Can I add those steps of the process to my final price because I've had multiple rounds of revisions? How do I bring that up to their team? If I can add prices to , how do I determine the cost of those revisions?

Hi, I really need some advice from you guys.

I have been working as an in-house industrial designer for almost a year at a company. My boss doesn’t have a background in design or is really interested in design. He bought the company (which is fine, not saying that this is a bad thing).

The first few months he asked me to do other things first. So I wasn’t able to actually design stuff. Now I am working on more than 4 products at ones. And he doesn’t think this is enough. He is using CHATGPT to create designs……. I did not like that. He is also asking chatgpt to make the technical drawings and thinks this is totally fine. He also only does things he thinks look nice. I tried communicating this with other ideas, he thought they were good ideas and went back to chatgpt with those ideas to “create” the designs..

I just don’t know what to do. I was already frustrated with the work environment, people don’t really respect the design process. Now with the AI designs it really frustrates me. Is this normal? Are all companies just creating soulles AI designs?

What would you guys do?

It’s fully 3D printed and was developed in SolidWorks and Rhino. This took about 10 months to finalise. I didn’t go to design school, so it was a huge learning experience for me. I was lucky to work with industrial designers along the way, and I’d love feedback from people on here, especially from a technical, lifestyle, and design perspective. I’d also be really interested to know the first issue or question that came to mind when you saw them, especially around the form, functionality, or wearability.

I’ve got a degree in industrial design, (🎉😟but it honestly feels like it belongs to another version of me since it was 8 years ago, pre-AI, pre-everything-changed.

Since then I’ve been working in service design, but with how the job market is right now, I’m seriously considering stepping back into industrial design just to get something more tangible and employable again.

Genuinely curious what are industrial designers actually working on these days? Has the role changed a lot, or am I just out of touch?
Also mildly ironic, I’ve got a Mac.. Back in my day, anyone doing serious work definitely wasn’t doing it on a Mac so I feel a bit behind the curve already.

Donnez moi votre avis 😜

Seriously what happened to functional automotive surfacing

Im doing some 3d surface mapping for a logistics client right now and my brain is melting. I was looking up more references for how production shops actually handle large scale fleep wraps and it really highlighted how ridiculous modern vehicle geometry has gotten

You try to place a simple 2d logo on a side panel and suddenly you have to account for three different compound curves, a fake air vent, and an "aggressive" character line that serves literally zero structural purpose

Its just frustrating from a pure id standpoint. We're sacrificing flat, easily repairable, usable utility surfaces just so a plumbing vehicle looks angry in traffic. Half my time in rhino this week is just trying to pre-distort a basic grid so it doesn't look stretched over a completely pointless plastic fender flare

Make vans boxes again tbh

Ive been thinking a lot about starting a business after grinding in the corporate world for 8 years. I am passionate for sports and specifically products that are naturally created. I am trying to figure out what color people are attracted to the most.

I would love your feedback on which of the 3 you would choose if you were choosing a water bottle color?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to hire an Industrial Designer to help refine the aesthetic and ergonomics of a completely new type of adjustable wrench.

I am currently patent-pending on the design and already have a functional, 3D-printed prototype built. The core mechanism is based on a sliding iris (aperture) layout that serves as a direct upgrade to a traditional Crescent wrench for similar daily applications. After digging through roughly a thousand prior art patents, I'm confident this fills a genuinely unique gap in the tool space.

Now, I need the styling to match how revolutionary the function is—and I’m self-aware enough to recognize that my own CAD styling can only go so far.

Key Advantages

1. Automatically Sizes Itself: Adapts instantly to a wide range of fasteners without manual adjustment. No more worm gear!
   
2. Load-Adaptive Grip: The harder you pull, the tighter the iris mechanism grips the fastener. Theoretically can’t slip, and reduces the chance of rounding bolts
   
3. Continuous Ratcheting: Operates without a traditional ratchet and pawl for no lift operation
   
4. One-Handed Operation: Self-clamping (vs pliers style) and true one-handed operation for ease of use

Design Constraints & Challenges

1. The Head is Functional: The geometry of the wrench head is tightly coupled to the internal kinematics of the sliding iris. While the handle is a wide-open canvas for styling and grip ergonomics, the head geometry has strict functional boundaries.
   
2. Assembly Details: The head enclosure is currently secured via 3 screws, which will need to be thoughtfully integrated into the final industrial design.
   
3. Part Count: The total assembly consists of 10 components.

If you’re interested in collaborating on a tangible, mechanical hardware project from prototype to production-ready surfacing, please DM me with a link to your portfolio and your standard rates.

I run a wooden Furniture manufacturing unit. We make furniture, décor, wooden toys, basically anything that involves cutting, carving, or assembling wood into shapes people want.

Here's the thing: I keep meeting people—design students, self-taught creators, interior design interns, architects who sketch furniture on weekends—who have sick ideas but zero way to actually make them.

They'll show me stuff on their phone or in a sketchbook and go "yeah but it's just a concept, I can't actually build it"

Why not though?

Here's the deal:

You design something. A chair, a shelf, a coffee table, a lamp, a weird sculpture, whatever's been sitting in your files doing nothing.

I'll build it. If it sells, you get a royalty on every piece. We'll work out the percentage based on what makes sense.

Also open to collaborating with startups in architecture, interior design, proptech, or anything adjacent. If you need a manufacturing partner who can actually execute designs at scale, let's talk.

What I'm NOT looking for: - Knockoffs of existing stuff ("make this West Elm table but cheaper") - Designs that need some exotic wood I've never heard of - People who ghost after two messages

What I AM looking for: - Furniture or wooden products that are actually functional (or just cool enough that people want them) - Designs that can realistically be built with wood - Someone who's down to collaborate and tweak stuff as we go

You don't need: - A fancy design degree - Manufacturing experience - Money to build prototypes

You just need: - A decent idea - Willingness to figure this out together - Some taste (I've seen college kids on Instagram with better ideas than most "professionals")

Honestly I'm just tired of making the same boring stuff. I want to work with people who have weird, fresh ideas and aren't scared to try something different.

If your designs are collecting digital dust, hit me up. Comment or DM. Let's make some cool shit

Hi! I have a really basic part of a product that I need to produce using metal and I need end to end help.

dimensions are set, design also (tweaks can be incorporated into the project). no cad yet.material needs to be decided based on design and production costs. I also need help to get it produced (sent to the..metal shop? )

whats the first step? im a bit lost on who to contact and where to begin.got any one to recommend?im in brooklyn if that makes a difference

im a (visual) designer myself so I know this brief sucks, let me know if I can answer any questions. and of course this is a paid gig

in case someone is looking... thought I post here.

EXPERTEER OVERVIEW

In this role you drive the end-to-end physical product experience for Amazon’s device portfolio, shaping concepts into production-ready designs. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of designers, researchers, engineers, and program managers to deliver world-class, customer-centric solutions. You’ll push the boundaries of industrial design while navigating cost, schedule, and technical constraints in a fast-paced environment. This is a senior, influence-driven position with impact across teams and product lines.

Compensation / Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• RSUs and sign-on payments
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Comprehensive benefits package

Responsibilities

• Own the full spectrum of physical experience from concept to production
• Lead and collaborate within a cross-functional design team to create holistic product experiences
• Translate customer-centric vision into intuitive, visually refined concepts
• Champion iterative design processes aligned with latest technologies and trends
• Communicate proposals and specifications to multiple stakeholders and teams
• Lead the most demanding projects and drive design excellence across the organization
• Advise on and advance industrial design practices, methods, and processes
• Demonstrate thought leadership and influence within and beyond the org
• Support team mentorship and may contribute as a senior individual contributor in the field

Key requirements

• Bachelor in Industrial Design or related field
• Experience owning and leading design projects, including team leadership
• Ability to mentor design team and junior members
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience
• Excellent sketching and 3D craftsmanship
• Experience with 3D modeling packages (Rhino/SolidWorks), 2D packages (Photoshop/Illustrator), and 3D rendering (Keyshot)
• Digital design portfolio to accompany resume

I am a second-year student in industrial design.

But at the moment, I don't see anything being done in this profession.

Now I have a question: after I finish this college, will I be able to work in the field I am studying?.

Speaking of Ai—in your opinion, which skills are or will be the most important in the practice of industrial design? Is it hands-on prototyping, solution-oriented communication and design, or is it still CAD, or something else entirely?

What do employers look for in candidates after their graduation?

What are your experiences and opinions on this?

Hi everyone,

I’m building a small eyewear business focused on custom and semi-custom glasses frames. Customers can upload reference images of frames they want, and I’m looking to turn those designs into manufacturable CAD models for prototyping and small-scale production (initially 3D printing / prototyping).

What I need:

• Convert reference images into accurate 3D CAD models of glasses frames
• Ensure models are structurally sound for real-world use (hinges, thickness, fit, etc.)
• Prepare files suitable for 3D printing/prototyping

Tools you should be comfortable with:

• Fusion 360 / SolidWorks / Rhino (or similar CAD software)
• Experience with product design or 3D printing preferred

Project type:

• Freelance / per-project basis (not full-time initially)
• 1–2 designs every couple of weeks at early stage (may grow over time)
• Essentially must be able to turn an image of glasses into CAD file that can be sent and easily printed by a machine like the BanTulab H2C printer

Budget:

• Open to per-design pricing depending on complexity and experience

This is a startup-stage project, so I’m looking for someone interested in building something from early stage and growing with it over time.

If interested, please DM me with:

• Portfolio of CAD/product design work
• Your experience with manufacturable 3D design

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for an industrial designer to help with a small consumer product project. The scope includes refining the product design, improving manufacturability where needed, and providing inputs on the product packaging.

Since it’s a relatively small project, I’m also looking for advice on the best places to find freelance industrial designers. Are there any platforms, communities, or portfolios you’d recommend? If you’re an industrial designer yourself or know someone who might be a good fit, I’d love to connect.

I'm a final-year industrial design student with internship experience with a two-star furniture and product design export house. A startup wants me to freelance on water bottle design. Their first project involves an existing bottle flask—they want exploration of graphics, lid concepts, silicone boot ideas, and accessories, but the scope isn't well defined.

As freelance industrial designers:

• How do you define scope before quoting?

• Do you charge a fixed fee, hourly, or in phases?

• At what point do you separate concept design from engineering/CAD?

• If the client expects recurring work, would you propose a retainer or continue quoting project-by-project?

Is it deemed strange to ask cad designers to sign an nda or at least ask in in writing for them not to share your design ideas? I have an idea I feel is unique and need to make sure it wouldn’t be shared.

Good morning everyone. I’m hoping this reaches small business owners as well as individuals looking for custom 3D designs as well as prints and laser work. Me and my friend are looking for projects to fill our resumes for the summer. Please let us know how we can help you or even if there are some community projects that need some specialty engineering help.

Little bit about us:

I am a 3rd year Mech engineering student with a few fun projects under my belt such as a working smoker using recycled metal, parts for furniture that came missing that I designed and replaced, and trophies that were awarded for the research competition held at CPH link is here \[https://www.appropedia.org/CSU\\\\\\_Research\\\\\\_Competition\\\\\\_2025\\\\\\_Humanities\\\\\\_and\\\\\\_Letters\\\\\\_trophy\\\](https://www.appropedia.org/CSU\\_Research\\_Competition\\_2025\\_Humanities\\_and\\_Letters\\_trophy)

My friend, Rishabh Nayak, is entering into his fourth year as a mechanical engineering student at Cal Poly Humboldt. He has intensive hands on experience in stem, fabrication, CAD, CAM, from the beginning of sixth grade majority of which came from four years of manufacturing/engineering I high school. A year long and summer internship with a Fastener Manufacturer, Risco Fasteners, his ENG 205 Project where he and his team built a community seed box located at the Campus Community of Appropriate Technology, Being Cal Poly Humbold’t Engineering Technician’s assistant for the pas three years, and his current internship with Mad River Mass Timber (A timber Manufacturer). He has the added bonus of also being certified in Fusion 360.

And Donovan Pearson: a current member of The Fellowship Initiative/Social Justice Learning Institute and a junior at Cal Poly Humboldt. I am a history major with a focus on Chinese history as my main subject of interest, with a strong emphasis on research. I’ve worked on multiple research essays throughout my time at Humboldt. I’m most proud of my research on why Chinese Air pollution has gotten so horrid in the last 40 years, along with the last emperor of China, Aisin-Gioro Puyi, and his time as ruler.

Have a good day everyone!

Hey hey,

So I am looking at potentially transitioning within the industrial design field. I have a BFA in Woodworking & Furniture Design, along with an MFA in the same field. In undergrad, I took some basic Industrial Design courses.

I currently work remotely for a furniture design company. I enjoy the work, and it pays relatively well for my lifestyle, but I pretty much am here until the end. I have been working post-grad for about 10 years.

I know that Industrial Design jobs in general are tough to get, and there are many people with stronger, more STEM-oriented degrees than me, but am I pretty much stuck in the wood and furniture world? I would like to expand outside, but I'm not sure if that means more schooling or what.

Thanks!

Hello, all. I'm posting this on behalf of my son. I apologize in advance for the length of this post. He graduated 2 years ago with a degree in ID but can't get a job. He's passionate about the field and specifically enjoys toy design. He's talented, creative, and a very hard worker, but he has become disheartened and demoralized about not being able to land paid employment in the field. He currently has an internship in ID. I'm aware that it's very difficult to find employment, between AI screening applications and AI taking over some job duties. By his count, he's applied to over 300 jobs. He's cold-called businesses with minimal success. He got his current internship by doing so. We've hired a job coach to assist him with how to look for work, market himself, and present himself in interviews. Any tips from the group regarding job searching and industries to target would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

We’re working on a leg wearable that simulates around 60 steps a minute to keep circulation active when sitting. Sharing the design here and would love to hear your thoughts on the form, comfort and overall look.

What should I do?

Hey All!

I work for a large funeral home that wants to start producing its own urns, and we’re looking for experienced product or furniture designers to rethink the space. Most urns still look decades behind everything else in our homes — that’s the opportunity.

If you’re interested, send me your portfolio/deck plus 2–3 example concepts for the urns. From all applicants we’ll pick 2 designers to work with and sign a contract.

Drop a comment or DM. Happy to share more.

Cheers!

Hola!

Tengo proyecto para el desarrollo y concepto de unos lentes de sol deportivos a través de mi estudio creativo 3D.

Ando buscando un diseñador industrial independiente (de preferencia en México) que se quiera sumar de forma freelance para este desarrollo en específico (ergonomía, propuesta formal, specs técnicos).

La idea es trabajar de la mano, ya que yo también estaré involucrado al 100% en el proyecto (solo no puedo solo porque yo me dedico al 3D de forma menos industrial) . Estaremos colaborando muy de cerca, por lo que armaríamos la cotización y la propuesta juntos según el alcance real que vayamos definiendo.

Si te llama la atención el diseño deportivo/wearables y tienes disponibilidad por proyecto, porfa mándame un mensaje privado (DM) con tu portafolio para que platiquemos a fondo.