Industrial Designer

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Work Tasks

• Design new cars, home appliances, computer equipment, medical instruments, toys, sports equipment, and other products
• Research the product and find ways to make it better
• Meet with clients and consult with engineers before making a design
• Show sketches or computer aided drawings to a design committee and make suggested changes
• Work indoors for manufacturers, large corporations, design consulting firms, colleges, and for themselves
• Work with Computer-Aided Industrial Design (CAID) programs, sketching materials, model-making materials, hand tools, and power tools

Salary, Size & Growth

• $68,500 average per year ($33.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (28,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering
• Skills/Courses: College courses include principles of design, sketching, computer-aided design (CAD), industrial materials and processes, manufacturing methods, engineering, and math.