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.
Common Job Titles
- Design Engineer
- Designer
- Industrial Designer
- Product Designer
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeCreate product designs combining aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturability using CAD software and 3D modeling tools, integrating user research and material constraints.Advanced
- KnowledgeSynthesize technical constraints, aesthetic trends, and marketing insights to generate innovative solutions for consumer and industrial products.Advanced
- KnowledgeEvaluate design alternatives against technical specifications and market requirements in collaborative team settings, balancing engineering feasibility with creative vision.Proficient
- KnowledgeAnalyze product use patterns, ergonomics, and consumer needs through market research and user testing data to inform design decisions.Proficient
- Hands-onExecute technical drawings and detailed specifications for manufacturing using Autodesk AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and other CAD platforms following industry standards.Proficient
- KnowledgeApply engineering principles, material science, and production processes to optimize designs for cost-effectiveness and manufacturing efficiency.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate client feedback and stakeholder input with design objectives through active listening and negotiation during iterative design reviews.Proficient
- KnowledgeDevelop prototypes and mockups using digital rendering and 3D visualization software including Adobe Creative Cloud, Rhino 3D, and Maya for client presentations.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess design compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and quality benchmarks throughout product development lifecycle independently.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate for user-centered design principles and sustainable material choices when presenting design rationale to interdisciplinary teams and management.Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Commercial and Industrial Designers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
30,250
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $49,390. 25th percentile: U.S. $62,040. 50th percentile: U.S. $79,450. 75th percentile: U.S. $103,170. 90th percentile: U.S. $134,840. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $49,390 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $134,840 |
| Workers on average earn | $88,000 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Design4.7/5
- Engineering and Technology4.7/5
- Production and Processing4.0/5
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.9/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Apache Maven
- Apple iOS
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk Revit
- C
- C#
- C++
- Cascading style sheets CSS
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Figma
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
- Python
- SAP software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
- jQuery
Technology Skills
- 1CadCam Unigraphics
- Adobe FreeHand MX
- Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt
- Autodesk 3ds Max
- Autodesk AliasStudio
- Autodesk Maya
- Chaos Group V-Ray
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Tools & Equipment
- Compact digital cameras
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
- Personal computers
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives