Occupation · SOC 27-1021
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
360 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingOperations AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
Knowledge areas
DesignEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingMechanicalComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Computer aided manufacturing CAM softwareDocument management softwareVideo creation and editing softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing software
Representative tasks
Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, productionEvaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, service
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Design sketches and basic technical drawings — produce under direct supervision using CAD software and drafting instruments in a studio or entry-level design department.Design briefs and project requirements — read and interpret with guidance to identify key constraints before beginning concept development on assigned product tasks.Manufacturing materials and production methods — research under supervision and compile findings into organized reference notes for use by senior designers.Initial concept ideation — generate multiple rough visual concepts using graphics and photo imaging software in response to a defined product challenge.Design feasibility factors such as safety and function — recognize and flag basic concerns to a supervising designer during early-stage concept review.Working drawings and specification sheets — assist in drafting from provided sketches under the direction of a lead designer in a product development setting.Cross-functional meetings with engineering or marketing teams — attend and document discussion points and action items to support established design workflows.Physical models and prototypes — assist in coordinating fabrication by preparing material lists and liaising with model-shop staff under senior oversight.Desktop publishing and document management software — use to format and organize design presentations and project files according to studio standards.Product characteristics such as market appeal and handling qualities — investigate using secondary research methods and summarize findings for team review.
developing
Detailed design drawings and digital illustrations — produce independently using CAD software and graphics tools in response to client specifications on routine product assignments.Design concepts — modify and refine iteratively using working models and client feedback, adapting to production limitations with moderate oversight in a manufacturing-oriented environment.Cost estimates and itemized production requirements — research and prepare by consulting production specifications and supplier data for mid-complexity product development projects.Feasibility assessments — evaluate design ideas against factors including budget, production costs, and safety standards, applying established criteria in a commercial design studio.Design presentations — prepare and deliver to internal stakeholders or small client groups, clearly articulating design rationale and responding to feedback in a professional setting.Engineering and production teams — confer regularly to align design concepts with manufacturing methods and material constraints throughout the product development cycle.Product safety, usability, and distribution characteristics — investigate systematically and incorporate findings into design revisions for consumer or industrial product lines.CAD and CAM software — apply routinely to develop production-ready drawings and coordinate digital files with fabrication teams in a product manufacturing context.Design trend shifts and evolving market characteristics — monitor and apply insights to refine product aesthetics and positioning during active project work.Specification sheets and working drawings — direct the drafting of, ensuring accuracy and completeness by reviewing outputs against approved concept sketches before submission.
proficient
Full design development cycles from concept through production handoff — lead autonomously across complex multi-stakeholder product programs in commercial or industrial design environments.Design feasibility — evaluate comprehensively across appearance, function, safety, serviceability, and production cost factors, resolving conflicts independently on non-routine or technically demanding projects.Cross-functional collaboration with engineering, marketing, sales, and production departments — facilitate to establish and align design concepts for new manufactured products throughout development.Client design presentations and formal design committee reviews — conduct persuasively, negotiating modifications and building consensus on complex or high-visibility product design proposals.Production specifications, manufacturing methods, and cost structures — research in depth and translate into precise, actionable requirement documents that guide fabrication teams.Working models and physical prototypes — direct fabrication of, coordinating model shops and external vendors to validate design intent against real-world performance criteria.Systems-level product analysis encompassing market appeal, manufacturing efficiency, and lifecycle considerations — perform and synthesize into strategic design recommendations for product lines.Advanced CAD, CAM, and development environment software — apply with expertise to produce high-fidelity technical outputs and manage complex digital asset libraries across large projects.Design solutions for constrained or ambiguous briefs — develop by applying originality, visualization, and deductive reasoning to generate viable concepts where precedent is limited.Quality and consistency of design deliverables — monitor across all project phases, identifying deviations from brief or specification and implementing corrective actions before client submission.
advanced
Organizational design strategy and long-range product vision — set and champion at the executive or principal level, aligning industrial design capability with business growth objectives.Design methodology and practice standards — establish and codify for the design organization, ensuring frameworks for feasibility evaluation, documentation, and client engagement are robust and current.Junior and mid-level designers — mentor and develop through structured feedback, stretch assignments, and coaching on technical craft, client communication, and professional judgment.Enterprise-level relationships with engineering, marketing, production, and sales leadership — cultivate and steward to embed design thinking into cross-functional decision-making at the organizational scale.Design innovation culture — drive by modeling intellectual curiosity and risk-taking, and by creating conditions that reward originality and systematic experimentation across the design team.High-stakes client relationships and major design committee presentations — lead with authority, managing executive-level negotiations and securing approval for transformative product design directions.Portfolio-wide product feasibility and investment decisions — guide by synthesizing design, market, engineering, and financial analysis to advise senior leadership on product development priorities.Technology and tooling roadmap for the design function — define and oversee adoption of emerging CAD, CAM, visualization, and digital fabrication capabilities across the organization.Design quality standards and organizational review processes — architect to ensure consistent excellence across simultaneous programs, setting the bar for deliverable integrity at every stage.Organizational reputation and thought leadership in commercial and industrial design — build through publications, industry engagement, and speaking, positioning the enterprise as a recognized design authority.
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