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Commercial and Industrial Designers

 

Job Description

Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

 

Interests

The Arts - High scorers on The Arts scale usually:

• prize independence
• enjoy creative activities such as music, writing, entertainment, and art
• appreciate the artistic works of others in museums, theatres, and books
• actively seek opportunities for self expression

Crafts - High scorers on the Crafts scale usually:

• prefer to work with tools and objects rather than with people and words
• like to build things
• want to see practical results from their work
• enjoy mechanical activities
• like work that requires physical strength

Business - Business people usually:

• see themselves as skilled with words
• seek careers where they can lead others
• enjoy convincing others to think the way they do
• can persuade others to buy their products

 

Tasks

People in this occupation usually engage in these work activities:

1.  Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.

2.  Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.

3.  Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.

4.  Coordinate the look and function of product lines.

5.  Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.

6.  Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval, and discuss need for modification.

7.  Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.

8.  Read publications, attend showings, and study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.

9.  Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines.

10.  Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems.

11.  Research production specifications, costs, production materials and manufacturing methods, and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.

12.  Design graphic material for use as ornamentation, illustration, or advertising on manufactured materials and packaging or containers.

 

Skills

People in this occupation usually describe themselves as having these abilities:

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

 

Knowledge

People in this occupation usually describe themselves as having education or training in these areas:

Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

 

Education / Training

A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level design positions. Many candidates in industrial design pursue a master's degree to compete better for available positions.

A liberal arts education, with courses in merchandising, business administration, marketing, and psychology, along with training in art, is recommended for designers who want to freelance.

Because computer-aided design is increasingly common, many employers expect new designers to be familiar with its use as a design tool. For example, industrial designers use computers extensively in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training lasting between 1 and 3 years before they can advance to higher-level positions.

A good portfolio, a collection of examples of a person's best work, often is the deciding factor in getting a job.

 

Instructional Programs

Commercial and Advertising Art - A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via illustrations and other forms of digital or printed media. Includes instruction in concept design, layout, paste-up, and techniques such as engraving, etching, silkscreen, lithography, offset, drawing and cartooning, painting, collage, and computer graphics.

Industrial Design - A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters.

 

Wages

In 2016, the US annual wage range for Commercial and Industrial Designers was between:

$50,350 - $87,750

 

Outlook

It is anticipated that in 2022, employment for Commercial and Industrial Designers will number 40,900.

There will be an increase of 170 new positions annually (0.43%). This means that this occupation is growing more slowly than average.

 

Similar Jobs

This is a list of jobs in which the workers share many of the same Interests, tasks, skills, knowledge, and education/training as Commercial and Industrial Designers

Interior Designers - Plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Fashion Designers - Design clothing and accessories. Create original garments or design garments that follow well established fashion trends. May develop the line of color and kinds of materials.
Graphic Designers - Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Set and Exhibit Designers - Design special exhibits and movie, television, and theater sets. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.