Automotive Designers

Employment of industrial designers in the motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing sector is expected to increase by 3.5 percent through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This is about as fast as the average for all careers. Consumer demand for innovations in automotive designs and functions and new automobile styles will help to sustain demand by car manufacturers for experienced and well-trained automotive designers. Designers who combine business and marketing expertise with an educational background in engineering, computer-aided design, and computer-aided industrial design will have the best employment prospects.

The automotive industry is particularly sensitive to periods of sluggish growth and declines in the overall economy, as consumer demand slackens for more expensive automobiles possessing new design styles, features, and functionalities. When this occurs, demand will decrease for automotive designers.