Description
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.
Interests
- Artistic
- Realistic
- Investigative
Work Values
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Initiative
- Dependability
- Analytical Thinking
- Cooperation
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.
Work Activities
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
Detailed Work Activities
- 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.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Technology Skills
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Video creation and editing software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Development environment software
- Object or component oriented development software
Abilities
- Fluency of Ideas
- Near Vision
- Originality
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
Skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Lighting Management ConsultantCertifying Organization
International Association of Lighting Management Companies
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified in Engineering GraphicsCertifying Organization
Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Playground Safety InspectorCertifying Organization
National Recreation and Park Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Professional Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012Certifying Organization
Autodesk, Inc.
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
New Product Development ProfessionalCertifying Organization
Product Development and Management Association
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $46,481 |
| Median (50%) | $78,590 |
| High (90%) | $136,440 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $60,678 |
| Mid Level | $84,034 |
| Senior Level | $101,661 |
| Expert Level | $135,025 |
Employability
There are currently 34,000 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 35,100 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 3%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 3%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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