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Commercial and Industrial Designer

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What Does it Take to Be a Commercial and Industrial Designer?

Commercial & Industrial Designer Definition 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.

Life As a Commercial & Industrial Designer

  • Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems.
  • Supervise assistants' work throughout the design process.
  • Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
  • Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
  • Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality.
  • Fabricate models or samples in paper, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials, using hand or power tools.

Things a Commercial & Industrial Designer Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Commercial and Industrial Designers say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Electrical Designer
  • Color Expert
  • Motorcycle Designer
  • Automobile Designer

Is There Job Demand for Commercial and Industrial Designers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 39,700 jobs in the United States for Commercial and Industrial Designer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.3% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Commercial and Industrial Designer by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,900 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Commercial & Industrial Designer are Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Kentucky, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Commercial & Industrial Designer Make?

The typical yearly salary for Commercial and Industrial Designers is somewhere between $38,630 and $108,040.

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Commercial and Industrial Designers who work in Arkansas, Louisiana, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Commercial and Industrial Designers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $65,330
Arizona $77,920
Arkansas $82,070
California $77,580
Colorado $62,590
Connecticut $74,420
Florida $66,850
Georgia $60,030
Hawaii $58,960
Idaho $75,150
Illinois $67,550
Indiana $65,520
Iowa $60,750
Kansas $66,620
Kentucky $62,150
Louisiana $76,520
Maine $57,570
Maryland $63,020
Massachusetts $81,660
Michigan $75,430
Minnesota $66,780
Missouri $67,530
Montana $59,170
Nebraska $66,730
Nevada $69,010
New Hampshire $63,950
New Jersey $85,000
New Mexico $63,560
New York $74,830
North Carolina $74,880
Ohio $65,520
Oklahoma $63,360
Oregon $84,290
Pennsylvania $66,330
Rhode Island $74,170
South Carolina $81,570
South Dakota $43,950
Tennessee $56,800
Texas $74,600
Utah $53,540
Vermont $66,180
Virginia $65,300
Washington $82,740
West Virginia $54,840
Wisconsin $58,400

Tools & Technologies Used by Commercial and Industrial Designers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Commercial and Industrial Designers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Python
  • jQuery
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • IBM Notes
  • Microsoft Publisher

How to Become a Commercial & Industrial Designer

What education or degrees do I need to become a Commercial and Industrial Designer?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where do Commercial and Industrial Designers Work?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Commercial and Industrial Designer may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: Szilas in the Budapest Museum of Applied Arts via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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