Commercial & Industrial Designers

Also Called: Design Engineer, Designer, Industrial Designer

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$46,530

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Commercial & Industrial Designers do

Design and develop 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.

  • Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
  • Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
  • Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing • Automotive & Machine Repair

Training Program Areas:

Drafting • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • Sign & Billboard

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Telephone

Tools

  • Notebook computers
  • High capacity removable media drives
  • Digital cameras
  • Liquid crystal display projector
  • Desktop computers

Technology

Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk Revit
Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
Video creation and editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
Kapwing
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
Trimble SketchUp Pro

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
design
product and service development
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Arts and Humanities
English language

Education

  • 68% Bachelor's degree
  • 15% Some college, no degree
  • 12% Associate's degree

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Occupational Therapy Aides

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Mechanical Drafters

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Commercial & Industrial Designers Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Museum Technicians & Conservators

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Adirondack Community College

    Queensbury, NY

  • Alamance Community College

    Graham, NC

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Initiative
  • Dependability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence

Values

  • Achievement
  • Relationships
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Ideas and Logic
  • Verbal

This is what Commercial & Industrial Designers across the country typically make.

$22.37 / hour
$46,530 /year

Entry Level

$36.66 / hour
$76,250 /year

Median Level

$60.58 / hour
$126,010 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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