This occupation is part of the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media cluster
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About the Job
Develop and design 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.
It is also Called
- Art Glass Designer
- Athletic Shoe Designer
- Automobile Designer
- Automotive Designer
- Bank Note Designer
- Bicycle Designer
- Bike Designer
- Boat Designer
- Body Stylist
- Car Body Designer
What They Do
- Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems.
- Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines.
- Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
- Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
- Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
- Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches.
- Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
- Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval, and discuss need for modification.
- 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.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: AER.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Artistic interests, but also prefer Enterprising and Realistic environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Achievement, but also value Relationships and Working Conditions in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Engineering and Technology - 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.
- Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening - 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.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Education Required
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $64,950.00 with most people making between $36,180.00 and $106,890.00
Outlook
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 4,000 people in California. It is projected that there will be 4,900 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 90 openings due to growth and about 120 replacement openings for approximately 210 total annual openings.
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