ADOL Logo

Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 27-1021 Commercial and Industrial Designers
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.
Default
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks: 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. Research production specifications, costs, production materials and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements. Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products. Fabricate models or samples in paper, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials, using hand or power tools. Coordinate the look and function of product lines. Design graphic material for use as ornamentation, illustration, or advertising on manufactured materials and packaging or containers.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $21.62   Entry $44,973.00
Mean $33.55   Mean $69,799.00
Experience $39.52 Experience $82,202.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
320360351.18
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Art Directors
Editors
Fashion Designers
Film and Video Editors
Graphic Designers
Interior Designers
Landscape Architects
Music Composers and Arrangers
Set and Exhibit Designers
Web Developers
Auburn University
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
ITT Technical Institute-Bessemer
ITT Technical Institute-Madison
ITT Technical Institute-Mobile
Jacksonville State University
John C Calhoun State Community College
Occupational Videos
27-1021.00 Commercial and Industrial Designers