Industrial Designers

Career summary

Industrial designers may also be called commercial designers, product designers, or product engineers.

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Industrial designers combine artistic skills and practical knowledge to create designs. Most designers concentrate on one area. They may design:

• Cars
• Airplanes
• Home appliances
• Children's toys
• Computers
• Medical equipment
• Office equipment
• Sports equipment

Designers talk to clients about what they want, and how the product will be used. They do research on similar products and design trends. Designers consider size, shape, weight, color, and materials to be used. They consider cost to produce the product, ease of use, and safety. They also consider market competition, or what is selling in the product area. In some cases, they design a series of products. Industrial designers make sure each product has the same look and feel of other products in the line.

Industrial designers create sketches. They do this by hand or on a computer. Designers often use computer-aided design (CAD) tools to create products. CAD allows designers to create three-dimensional drawings of products. These drawings can be rotated, which helps designers visualize the final product. Changes can quickly be made to CAD designs, which add speed and flexibility to the design process. This reduces design costs and cuts the time it takes to deliver a product to the market.

Industrial designers also use computer-aided industrial design (CAID) to create their designs. Designers who work for manufacturing firms may use CAID to send their designs to automated production tools. These machines read the designs and create products.

Industrial designers present their sketches to the client or design team. They also consult with the product development team, which may include engineers or marketing staff. Designers make changes based on the feedback they receive or new developments in trends. They create detailed designs of the product. These may include drawings, small models, or computer simulations. Some designers create full-sized prototypes of their products. In addition, designers prepare lists of the materials needed to produce the product. They also estimate costs.

Industrial designers may supervise assistants who carry out their designs. Designers who run their own businesses have administrative tasks. For example, they may do more product research than other designers. They may also hire and train new staff. In addition, they devote time to developing new business contacts.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Art Directors
• Drafters
• Fashion Designers
• Graphic Designers
• Interior Designers
• Landscape Architects
• Set and Exhibit Designers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to industrial designers.

• Talk to clients to determine their needs and how the product will be used.
• Research product use, design trends, materials, and production methods.
• Evaluate design ideas for practicality. Consider costs, safety, and market characteristics.
• Create sketches, drawings, and blueprints, by hand or on computer.
• Create detailed designs using drawings, models, computer simulations, or prototypes.
• Present designs. Consult with client, design committee, or product development team about changes.
• Design graphic material that will be used for advertising or decoration on new designs.
• Prepare a list of materials and estimated costs required to produce the product.
• Use computer-aided industrial design (CAID) to create designs. May use CAID to communicate designs to automated production tools.
• Direct and coordinate the making of models and samples.
• Create manufacturing procedures to make the new designs. Monitor the manufacturing process.
• May supervise assistants who carry out their design ideas.
• May develop new business contacts and perform administrative tasks.

Common work activities

Industrial designers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Think creatively
• Evaluate information against standards
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Document and record information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Process information
• Analyze data or information
• Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, industrial designers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Communicate daily by e-mail, over the phone and in person. Occasionally write letters and memos.
• Work closely with clients and staff, but sometimes work alone when researching and designing products.
• Usually work as part of a larger design team. May be responsible for work done by design assistants.
• Some responsibility for the health and safety of coworkers and team members.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• Work near others, usually in shared office space.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud noises, especially when visiting a factory. Occasionally required to wear safety attire on such visits.

Work performance

• Frequently make decisions that affect coworkers and clients. Some decisions are made without talking to a supervisor first.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals.
• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could result in serious safety hazards for product users.
• Must meet strict daily deadlines. This may make the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.
• Often repeat the same mental tasks.

Hours/travel

• Most work full time, 40 hours per week. Many work overtime to meet deadlines and production demands.
• Usually work regular hours, but may work irregular hours.

Physical demands

Industrial designers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for industrial designers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for industrial designers to be able to:

• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Industrial designers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.
• Design equipment and technology to meet user needs.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Commercial and Advertising Art
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design

Other programs of study to consider

• Architecture
• Art and Fine Arts, General
• Ceramic Art and Design
• Drafting and Design Technology
• Energy Management and Systems Technology
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Metal and Jewelry Arts
• Painting and Drawing
• Sculpture

Training

To work as an industrial designer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have a bachelor's degree in art or design.

Education after high school

Industrial designers must have a bachelor's degree. Many four-year colleges and universities grant the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. In this program, art is the emphasis. You take courses in art, art history, principles of design, and designing and sketching.

Design programs are broader than art programs. In addition to art courses you study industrial design, materials, manufacturing methods, and computer software.

About 230 colleges and universities have approved programs in art and design. Most of these award a degree in art or fine art. Some award degrees specifically in industrial design.

Many schools do not allow formal entry into a bachelor's degree program until you have successfully completed a year of basic art and design courses. You may be required to submit sketches or other examples of your artistic ability.

Regardless of major, you should take classes in computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing materials and processes.

Work experience

Hands-on work sculpting, woodworking, metalworking, or sketching is good preparation for design work.

Industrial designers also prepare for their work by developing a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best work. It demonstrates your skills to clients or employers. A portfolio may include hand drawings, computer images, photos, and print samples.

An internship is an excellent way to build your skills, demonstrate your talent, and make job contacts.

On-the-job training

Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training. The length of training varies by employer. Some provide up to three months of training and others provide several years. As you gain experience, you work on more difficult tasks.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Art
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Drawing and Painting
• Graphic Design
• Public Speaking

Many industrial designers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Creativity is important in all design occupations. Employers look for designers who have an eye for color and detail, and a sense of beauty and proportion. Sketching skills are helpful for many jobs. A good portfolio (a collection of a person’s best work) is often the deciding factor in getting a job.

Computer-aided design (CAD) increasingly is used in all areas of design. This is particularly true in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries.

Employers look for designers who are imaginative and persistent. They seek designers who can communicate their ideas visually and verbally. Employers need designers who are well read, open to new ideas, and quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and self-discipline are also important.

Because experience is essential for entry-level jobs, students should consider internships or volunteer work. Mechanical aptitude and interpersonal skills are important.

Tips

Any training in graphics, photography, engineering, drafting, marketing, management, or architecture is valuable. Drawing, building models, and reading art and design publications are beneficial. Taking apart appliances to see how they are assembled can be helpful.

Costs to workers

Workers who join a professional association may need to pay a membership fee and annual dues.

#Took over national content to revise statements regarding use of computers in occupation, 5/2/16 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Commercial and Industrial Designers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary widely based on the designer's experience and job duties. The more years of experience a designer has, the higher the wages. Industrial designers in managerial positions earn much higher wages. In addition, wages vary by employer and area of the country.

Benefits vary by employer. Full-time industrial designers are likely to receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed designers must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 23% of industrial designers are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Manufacturers of a variety of products
• Engineering and architectural consulting firms
• Design firms

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will slow as the manufacturing industry experiences a slight decline. Growth will be highest for those who design medical equipment and other precision instruments.

Job prospects will be best for those who have a strong background in computer aided design (CAD) systems.

Other resources

American Design Drafting Association 
105 East Main Street
Newbern, TN 38059
731.627.0802

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036

Industrial Designers Society of America 
555 Grove Street, Suite 200
Herndon, VA 20170
703.707.6000

Society for Experiential Graphic Design 
1900 L Street NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036
202.638.5555

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

What is Industrial Design? 

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Commercial and Industrial Designers (27-1021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Bank-note Designer (142.061-010) 
• Cloth Designer (142.061-014) 
• Commercial Designer (141.061-038) 
• Furniture Designer (142.061-022) 
• Industrial Designer (142.061-026) 
• Memorial Designer (142.061-030) 
• Ornamental-metalwork Designer (142.061-034) 
• Package Designer (142.081-018) 
• Safety-clothing-and-equipment Developer (142.061-038) 
• Stained Glass Artist (142.061-054) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Artistic/Enterprising/Realistic

COPSystem

• Arts Professional
• Arts Skilled