Commercial and Industrial Designers
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Design Engineer, Designer, Industrial Designer, Mechanical Designer, Mold Designer, Product Design Engineer, Product Designer, Product Development Engineer, Sign Designer
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
- Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
- Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
- Coordinate the look and function of product lines.
- Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Finite element analysis software,Minitab,The MathWorks MATLAB
- Computer aided design CAD software:Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt,Autodesk AliasStudio,Autodesk AutoCAD,Autodesk Maya,Autodesk Revit,Dassault Systemes CATIA,Dassault Systemes SolidWorks,McNeel Rhinoceros 3D,PTC Creo Parametric,Siemens UGS NX
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software:1CadCam Unigraphics,Computer aided manufacturing CAM software,Geometric CAMWorks,Siemens NX
- Data base user interface and query software:Microsoft Access
- Desktop communications software:Eko
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment:Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Build models, patterns, or templates.
- Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
- Conduct market research.
- Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
- Coordinate construction or installation activities.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:100% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:100% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:94% responded"Every day"
- Work With Work Group or Team:77% responded"Extremely important"
- Telephone:70% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- 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.
- Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- 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.
- Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Production and Processing:Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 68%Bachelor's Degree
- 15%Some College Courses
- 12%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Fluency of Ideas:The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
- Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Originality:The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Interests
- Artistic:Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Enterprising:Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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