Industrial Products Designer Onboarding Checklist

Industrial Products Designer Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Industrial Products Designer starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Design onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Industrial Products Designer, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Industrial Products Designer onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Industrial Products Designer Onboarding Checklist

1. Introduction to company culture and values: The task involves providing an overview of the company’s culture, values, and mission to the new industrial products designer. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated company representative who can explain the company’s core principles and how they align with the designer’s role.

2. Familiarization with company policies and procedures: The new designer needs to understand the company’s policies and procedures, including those related to design processes, intellectual property, safety, and quality control. This task is usually performed by the HR department or a designated manager who can provide the necessary documentation and answer any questions.

3. Introduction to the design team: The new designer should be introduced to the existing design team members, including other industrial designers, engineers, and project managers. This task is typically performed by the design team lead or manager, who can facilitate introductions and provide an overview of each team member’s role and responsibilities.

4. Review of past projects and design portfolio: The new designer should have the opportunity to review past projects and the company’s design portfolio to gain an understanding of the design style, quality standards, and client base. This task can be performed by the design team lead or manager, who can provide access to relevant project files and discuss the design approach.

5. Training on design software and tools: The new designer may need training on specific design software and tools used by the company, such as CAD software, 3D modeling tools, or prototyping equipment. This task is typically performed by a designated trainer or an experienced designer who can provide hands-on training and guidance.

6. Introduction to the company’s design process: The new designer should be familiarized with the company’s design process, including the stages from concept development to final product delivery. This task is usually performed by the design team lead or manager, who can explain the different phases, milestones, and deliverables involved in the design process.

7. Collaboration with other departments: The new designer should be introduced to key stakeholders from other departments, such as engineering, marketing, and manufacturing, to foster collaboration and ensure a smooth workflow. This task is typically performed by the design team lead or manager, who can facilitate introductions and explain the importance of cross-functional collaboration.

8. Review of industry standards and trends: The new designer should stay updated on industry standards, emerging trends, and best practices in industrial product design. This task can be performed by the design team lead or manager, who can provide relevant resources, industry publications, and encourage participation in design conferences or workshops.

9. Understanding client requirements and expectations: The new designer should be briefed on how to gather and understand client requirements, conduct market research, and translate them into design concepts. This task is typically performed by the design team lead or manager, who can provide guidance on effective client communication and expectation management.

10. Introduction to the company’s quality control and testing procedures: The new designer should be familiarized with the company’s quality control and testing procedures to ensure that the designed products meet the required standards. This task is usually performed by the quality control team or a designated manager who can explain the testing protocols and quality assurance processes.

11. Mentoring and guidance: The new designer should be assigned a mentor or a senior designer who can provide guidance, support, and feedback throughout their onboarding process. This task is typically performed by the design team lead or manager, who can identify a suitable mentor and facilitate regular check-ins and knowledge sharing sessions.

12. Performance expectations and evaluation: The new designer should be informed about the company’s performance expectations, evaluation criteria, and feedback mechanisms. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated manager who can explain the performance review process, set goals, and establish clear communication channels for feedback.

13. Introduction to company resources and tools: The new designer should be provided with an overview of the company’s resources and tools, such as design libraries, material samples, reference books, or online databases. This task is typically performed by the design team lead or manager, who can provide access to relevant resources and explain how to utilize them effectively.

14. Health and safety training: The new designer should receive health and safety training to ensure a safe working environment. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated safety officer who can provide information on safety protocols, emergency procedures, and any specific hazards related to the design work.

15. Introduction to company communication channels: The new designer should be familiarized with the company’s communication channels, such as email, project management software, or collaboration tools, to ensure effective communication within the team and with other departments. This task is typically performed by the IT department or a designated manager who can provide access and explain the usage of these channels.

16. Introduction to company suppliers and vendors: The new designer should be introduced to the company’s suppliers and vendors, especially those involved in the procurement of materials or manufacturing processes. This task is typically performed by the procurement or supply chain department, who can facilitate introductions and explain the importance of maintaining good relationships with suppliers.

17. Introduction to company branding and marketing strategies: The new designer should be familiarized with the company’s branding guidelines and marketing strategies to ensure that the designed products align with the company’s overall image and goals. This task is typically performed by the marketing department or a designated representative who can provide brand guidelines and explain the marketing objectives.

18. Introduction to company project management methodologies: The new designer should be introduced to the company’s project management methodologies, such as Agile or Waterfall, to understand how design projects are planned, executed, and monitored. This task is typically performed by the project management team or a designated manager who can provide an overview of the chosen methodology and its implementation.

19. Introduction to company sustainability initiatives: The new designer should be briefed on the company’s sustainability initiatives and how they are integrated into the design process. This task is typically performed by the sustainability team or a designated representative who can explain the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and provide guidance on sustainable design practices.

20. Ongoing professional development opportunities: The new designer should be informed about ongoing professional development opportunities, such as training programs, workshops, or conferences, to enhance their skills and knowledge in industrial product design. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated manager who can provide information on available resources and encourage participation in relevant learning activities

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Industrial Products Designer checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Industrial Products Designer up to speed and working well in your Design team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.