Life As a Commercial and Industrial Designer
Commercial & Industrial Designer Job Description 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.
Daily Life Of a Commercial & Industrial Designer
- Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems.
- Read publications, attend showings, and study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.
- Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines.
- Design graphic material for use as ornamentation, illustration, or advertising on manufactured materials and packaging or containers.
- Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
- Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Commercial & Industrial Designer?
Commercial and Industrial Designers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Commercial & Industrial Designer Jobs
- Project Engineer
- Automotive Designer
- Design Director
- Embroidery Designer
- Ornamental Metalwork Designer
Commercial & Industrial Designer Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 39,700 jobs for Commercial and Industrial Designer in 2016. 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.

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.
Commercial & Industrial Designer Salary
Commercial and Industrial Designers make between $38,630 and $108,040 a year.

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 |
What Tools & Technology do Commercial and Industrial Designers Use?
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 do I Become a Commercial & Industrial Designer?
Education needed to be a Commercial and Industrial Designer:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Commercial and Industrial Designers Sector

Below are examples of industries where Commercial and Industrial Designers work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
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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