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.
At a Glance
Commercial and Industrial Designers earns a median of $79,450/yr with +3.2% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Design, Engineering and Technology, Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment.
$79,450/yr
+3.2%
3
Bachelor's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (8)
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.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Knowledge (7)
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Abilities (14)
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Technology (28)
Work Activities (16)
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.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Computer and Mathematical · 214 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 214 shared skills
Software Developers
Computer and Mathematical · 213 shared skills
Computer User Support Specialists
Computer and Mathematical · 213 shared skills
Graphic Designers
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · 212 shared skills
Information Technology Project Managers
Computer and Mathematical · 211 shared skills
Marketing Managers
Management · 210 shared skills
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · 209 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
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