The field of Industrial Design has come a long way from a focus on purely functional designs, to making products that are accessible, inclusive and ergonomically comfortable for all, while also reducing wastage and improving product life.
Shubham Mhatugade, our next pathbreaker, Senior Industrial Designer at Liebherr Appliances, leads the design aspects of refrigerators.
Shubham talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his first exposure to industrial design at a startup where he worked on the design of a coffee and tea machine, right from understanding the brief, developing initial sketches, concept generation, and 3D modeling to rapid prototyping with 3D printing for feasibility and ergonomics.
For students, If you feel you have a creative mind, enjoy doodling, love unique product designs, whether toys, cars, or anything creative and have an interest in making things on your own, this field could be a great fit.
Shubham, can you share your background with our young readers?
I’ve loved drawing and painting since I was a child. Cars were my favourite. I enjoyed sketching them with realistic shading and tiny details. My father was my class teacher in school, which meant I always had encouragement to stay curious and disciplined. I participated in elementary and intermediate drawing grade examinations and secured an A grade in both. I also took part in state-level competitions and even won a few, which boosted my confidence early on. Looking back, these creative interests played a big role in shaping my career in design.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
For my graduation, I studied Mechanical Engineering, which gave me a strong foundation in understanding how things work and how they are built. After that, I pursued my post-graduation in MDes (Master of Design) from VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology) in Industrial Design, where I could combine my technical background with creativity to design products that are both functional and visually appealing.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Industrial Design?
While studying Mechanical Engineering, I realised I was more interested in aesthetics and product design than purely technical work. My brother, who was doing his M.Tech, pointed out how design was a different path altogether. That conversation became a turning point and led me towards industrial design.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
After completing my Mechanical Engineering, I decided to pursue a career in design and dedicated a year to preparing for the MDes entrance exams. During this time, I focused on building strong fundamentals in sketching, ideation, and problem-solving, guided by a wonderful mentor.
I appeared twice for the entrance exams of NID and IDC-IIT, the premier design colleges in India. Unfortunately, I missed the cut-off by just a few points in the general category, which was quite disappointing. This setback, however, made me think differently about my journey. Instead of giving up, I started a drawing and design coaching initiative called Thinking Eye along with a friend who was also preparing for MDes.
Through Thinking Eye, we trained students for elementary and intermediate grade exams in drawing, but our vision was broader—we introduced them to problem-solving from a design perspective at an early stage. The response in Pune was overwhelming, and many students joined us. For almost a year, we ran this initiative successfully, until the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to wind it up.
After this, I managed to secure admission for MDes at VIT, where I ranked 1st in Industrial Design. I even received a UI/UX offer but chose to stick with tangible product design, as that was always my true passion.
For my internships, I wanted to gain hands-on exposure to physical product design rather than UI/UX, so I applied off-campus and joined Klove Studio in Goa. Klove is known for its luxury lighting and home décor products, and I worked on chandeliers, totems, and other unique lighting concepts. The freedom to ideate without many limitations and the mentorship of the studio’s director gave me immense confidence. Despite being an intern, I was entrusted with projects for renowned clients, which was a big learning curve for me.
My first full-time role came with Antigra, a startup specializing in coffee and tea machines. Here, I was leading the design aspects—right from understanding the director’s brief, developing initial sketches, concept generation, and 3D modeling to rapid prototyping with 3D printing for feasibility and ergonomics. I worked extensively on product aesthetics, CMF (color, material, finish), and building a consistent visual brand language. I also collaborated closely with the R&D team to ensure designs were aligned with technical requirements. Seeing my own designed products come to life was one of the most rewarding moments.
Currently, I am working as a Senior Industrial Designer at Liebherr Appliances India, a German home appliances MNC. This role allows me to apply everything I’ve learned so far, while also challenging me to innovate further in the field of consumer appliances.
In parallel, I was also working as a freelance Industrial Designer for about four years, where I handled projects for several renowned startups. These included designing a water purifier and a WiFi 7 gateway device—from initial ideas and sketches to final aesthetic models, considering aspects like size, shape, proportions, ergonomics, and CMF. Alongside freelancing, I was invited by my mentor to conduct a five-day workshop at NID (National Institute of Design), Ahmedabad, for ICF engineers. The goal was to sensitize them to design thinking. I structured and led the workshop, taking them through problem finding in the field, analyzing user perspectives, identifying focus areas for improvement, following the design process step by step, and finally building models of their ideas. This hands-on journey helped them experience design as a tool for innovation and problem-solving.
How did you get your first break?
My first real break came when I found my own internship at a luxury lighting company. I had turned down a campus UI/UX role because I wanted to work in tangible product design. That self-initiated search not only got me the role but also gave me hands-on experience with premium products for the elite market.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Cracking IIT or NID through the general category was tough, and I couldn’t make it. I addressed it by applying to other top institutes like IIT Guwahati, MIT, and VIT and chose VIT for its strong design program.
Challenge 2: During job search, most opportunities were in IT companies, but my focus was only on tangible product design. I stayed patient, used my portfolio, and searched independently until I found the right roles.
Challenge 3: Adapting to industry needs, thanks to my strong academic rank and practical skills, I could align with the right career path without much extra struggle.
Where do you work now?
I am currently working as an Industrial Designer at Liebherr Appliances, a German multinational company, where I lead the design aspects of refrigerators. My role involves shaping the product aesthetics, defining CMF (Color, Material, Finish), and ensuring consistency with the company’s Visual Brand Language (VBL). I also prepare detailed design guides and act as a bridge between the product managers and the global design team. In short, I contribute to the journey of a product—from the very first sketch or doodle to the final appliance reaching the market.
What problems do you solve?
I design appliances that are intuitive, ergonomic, and visually appealing, aligned with market needs. I also coordinate between our India-based Product Manager and the Global Industrial Design team in Germany.
What skills are needed for the job? How did you acquire them?
Sketching, 3D modelling, design thinking, ergonomics, CMF, and cross-functional teamwork — developed during my Master’s in Industrial Design and refined through internships and projects.
What’s a typical day like?
A lot of market research in every sector of design, latest trends in design, concept sketching for our products, 3D modelling, prototype reviews, Ergonomic study, CMF and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
What do you love about this job?
Driving innovation, working with skilled teams, and seeing ideas turn into real products.
How does your work benefit society?
My work benefits society by designing safe, user-friendly, and sustainable products. I focus on real user needs to make designs accessible and comfortable for all. Using ergonomics and efficient materials helps reduce waste and improve product life. Ultimately, I aim to make daily life easier and more enjoyable while protecting the environment.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
There are many products I have designed that are now in the market, but one memorable experience was with a coffee and tea machine I designed at my previous organization. I was traveling through Bangalore airport and decided to grab some tea. To my surprise and pride, I saw the very machine I had designed being used there. That moment of seeing my work in real life was truly unforgettable.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
My advice to students is to stay curious and explore different fields before choosing a career. If you feel you have a creative mind, enjoy doodling, love unique product designs, whether toys, cars, or anything creative and have an interest in making things on your own, this field could be a great fit. Focus on building strong basics like sketching, problem-solving, and understanding users. Be patient and persistent, and always seek mentors and feedback to grow as a designer.
Future Plans?
After gaining experience across different design fields, my future plan is to start my own practical, industry-focused design school. I want to create an education system that emphasizes real-world skills and hands-on learning rather than just theoretical academics.