Commercial and Industrial Designers

27-1021.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
• Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
• Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
• Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
• Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
• Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.
• Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
• Investigate product characteristics such as the product's safety and handling qualities, its market appeal, how efficiently it can be produced, and ways of distributing, using, and maintaining it.
• Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality.
• Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products.
• Read publications, attend showings, and study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts.
• Fabricate models or samples in paper, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials, using hand or power tools.
• Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Coordinate the look and function of product lines.
• Supervise assistants' work throughout the design process.
• Design graphic material for use as ornamentation, illustration, or advertising on manufactured materials and packaging or containers.
• Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Finite element analysis software; Minitab; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Software as a service SaaS
• Computer aided design CAD software - Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt; Autodesk AliasStudio; Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Autodesk Maya; Autodesk Revit 🔥; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks ; McNeel Rhinoceros 3D; PTC Creo Parametric; Siemens UGS NX
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - 1CadCam Unigraphics; Computer aided manufacturing CAM software; Geometric CAMWorks; Siemens NX
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥
• Desktop communications software - Eko
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign 🔥; Microsoft Publisher; QuarkXPress
• Development environment software - Apache Maven 🔥; C 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW; Verilog
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Email software; IBM Notes
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• Financial analysis software - Delphi Technology
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥
• Graphical user interface development software - Figma
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software 🔥; Adobe FreeHand MX; Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Adobe Photoshop 🔥; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; Corel Painter; Trimble SketchUp Pro 🔥; Xara Designer Pro
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; C++ 🔥; jQuery 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Apple iOS 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - InVision software
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects 🔥; Autodesk 3ds Max; Chaos Group V-Ray; Kapwing; Maxon Cinema 4D
• Web platform development software - Cascading style sheets CSS 🔥; Hypertext markup language HTML 🔥; JavaScript 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
• Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
• Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
• Present work to clients for approval.
• Estimate costs for projects or productions.
• Coordinate construction or installation activities.
• Conduct market research.
• Monitor current trends.
• Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
• Build models, patterns, or templates.
• Coordinate design activities.
• Develop promotional strategies or plans.