Industrial Designers

Employment of industrial designers is expected to grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Despite employment declines in some areas of manufacturing, designers will be needed to improve product quality and safety, to design new products for the global marketplace, and to design high-technology products in consumer electronics, medicine, and transportation. Industrial designers with proficiency in two- and three-dimensional computer-aided design and computer-aided industrial design and knowledge of the use of sustainable resources in design will have the best job prospects.

Despite the demand for industrial designers, many companies prefer to outsource a significant amount of their work. This is a growing trend within the industry that may make it more difficult for a beginning worker to find an entry-level job. In addition, this is a profession that is somewhat controlled by the economic climate. It thrives in times of prosperity and declines in periods of recession.