Working in automotive design is a world that most people who love cars would like to enter.
However, information about the activities carried out is scarce, difficult to find and sometimes even incomprehensible.
Especially when those seeking information are young people who are not clear about what drawing is and what are the possible ways to get there.
Many believe that drawing is something very specific and that is where the problem begins.
The reality is that design is a very broad concept, which encompasses many activities for which different profiles of engineers are needed.
An example is the interior design or exterior car design, where it is necessary to define the lines, volumes, proportions so that the product is functional and appealing to a specific market.
Another example is the design of systems or components where you need creative, experienced engineers who can offer solutions to the problems that the new car presents to you.
To draw, we need designers, industrial engineers, mechanical engineers and even aeronautical engineers when geometries should be optimized to reduce drag, or in the case of a sports car, increase the vertical load.
The first step in finding information
The first thing to be clear is that there are many ways to draw and information is essential.
First, you will have to think about which part of the drawing interests you. You cannot be a generalist and say everything.
The reality is that there is no higher education institution that teaches everything there is to know to design a car.
The University is a place where you will learn the knowledge that will serve as a base, to later be able to specialize through courses, masters and PhDs in certain areas of design.
Therefore, it is necessary to be clear whether aerodynamic calculation, the engine or the brakes attracts you.
Or perhaps the vehicle’s ergonomics, safety or dynamics. After all, which are the fields of design that most attract you? If you answer this question you can more easily clarify which career to pursue.
The car is a highly complex technological product
There are no more 100% mechanical cars as it was a few years ago. That’s why car brands don’t design and manufacture the entire car. The solution is to hire other companies that supply products already designed. That is, the design of products or systems is outsourced. There is a world of possibilities when it comes to getting a job!
The last thing you need to know
If you want to be clear in which area of the design you want to work, you must understand what the processes and responsibilities of each step are. This will also help you to define which universities may be an appropriate option.
