How To Become An Automotive Designer In 2022
1. Earn A Bachelor's Degree
To become a car designer, you typically need at least a bachelor's degree in automotive design or engineering. Look for technical schools or universities that have an automotive design program. We will be sharing a list of universities with you, that is great for kickstarting your career, soon.
2. Earn A Master's Degree (Optional)
Some automotive designers choose to earn a master's degree to qualify for higher-paying jobs or expand their knowledge and skill set. A master's degree in industrial design or engineering may also qualify you to work in this field. However, this is not a typical requirement to apply for jobs.
3. Apply For Internships
During your last year of school, consider applying for internships at design firms. Even an unpaid internship may lead to a job within the company. tIf nothing else, an apprenticeship may give you an advantage over the competition after you finish school.
4. Build Your Portfolio
Your portfolio should show your creativity and awareness of current techniques and styles. Companies expect designers to design cars that fit their brand, so pick a few big brands and make sketches based on their existing designs. Consider adding creative freelance assignments to your portfolio as well.
5. Apply For Car Designer Positions
As a new car designer, you might have to travel to find work, as designers often move overseas or across the country if an opening becomes available. Another option is to consider a job with a startup company. These jobs sometimes pay less, but you may get to work on alternative designs and innovations. Lastly, you can apply for an entry-level position with an established corporation.
6. Submit Ideas To Automotive Publications
Automotive publications are frequently interested in new content, like car renderings. Submitting your designs to these magazines or websites can help build your portfolio and promote yourself. Doing so also allows you direct feedback from publishers and readers alike that can help to improve your designs.
7. Have Realistic Expectations
It takes time to establish yourself, and until then, you may earn an entry-level salary with most employers. Setting goals may help you stay dedicated to your goals in your career. For example, your first goal might be to find a paid position within six months of graduation. Achieving your goal rewards a sense of accomplishment and can help you stay motivated to continue growing as a car designer.
8. Work With New Design Tools
When you design cars, it's crucial to stay familiar with the latest computer-aided design software. Once you are comfortable working with these tools, designing cars becomes a much faster process. There are programs available for technical and aesthetic designing, so you want to understand how to use as many programs as possible.
9. Send Your Portfolio To Our Konzepthaus Recruiters!
This may sound very obvious, but it's actually the most important step! By following our LinkedIn page, you will always stay up to date with the latest job openings. But there's more! Once you reach out to our Recruiters, they will help you find the right position for you.
Simple, right? That’s because it is!