Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Design Engineer
- Designer
- Industrial Designer
- Product Designer
Alternate Job Titles
- Art Glass Designer
- Automobile Designer
- Bank Note Designer
- Bicycle Designer
- Bike Designer
- Boat Designer
- Body Stylist
- Car Body Designer
- Ceramic Designer
- Ceramic Mold Designer
- Cloth Designer
- Color Advisor
- Color Consultant
- Color Expert
- Commercial Designer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
- Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
- Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.
- Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Fluency of Ideas
- Originality
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Visualization
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Problem Sensitivity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Innovation
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Adaptability
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apache Maven
- Apple iOS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk Revit
Tools & Equipment
- Compact digital cameras
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
- Personal computers
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Telephone Conversations
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $49,390 |
| Median | $79,450 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $134,840 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 30,250
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Mechanical Drafters
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $68,510
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $62,700
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $67,670
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Education: Some College Courses
Median Salary: $54,540
Fashion Designers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $80,690
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.