Industrial Designers

(NOC 2252)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Industrial designers develop and design a variety manufactured products like cars, home appliances, children's toys, computer equipment, and medical, office, or recreational equipment. They work for manufacturing industries and private design firms or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Estimate 705 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 2585 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a small percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are not expected to be a major contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Industrial Designers most commonly work full-time hours. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.

The median employment income for 69% of Industrial Designers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $72,287. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$57,115

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$37.80

Median

$48.46

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Industrial designers:

Consult with client, engineers, or production specialists to confirm product requirements.
Analyze the intended use of product and user preferences.
Research cost, properties of production materials, and methods of production.
Prepare design concepts, sketches, or models for approval.
Prepare manufacturing drawings, specifications and guidelines for production and construct prototype of design.
Consult with engineers and production staff during manufacturing stage.

Sample job titles

business products designer
consumer products designer
container designer
ergonomic products designer
fixture designer
furniture designer
industrial design consultant
industrial designer
product designer
toy designer - industrial design

Skills

You should be creative, imaginative, and artistic. You must be able to communicate ideas both visually and verbally. You must be able to work well with people and be open to new ideas and influences. Computer skills, especially familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD), are an asset.

Job requirements

A university degree in industrial design, architecture, engineering or a college diploma in industrial design is required.

Other considerations

The rate at which new manufacturing technology is adopted will affect the number of job openings in these jobs. There is mobility between positions in this group. Movement is possible to other design roles. Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.

By the numbers

Quick look

employed in 2016

100.0%

employed full-time

25.0%

self employed

37.5%

62.5%

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%

80%

42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

58.8%

Halifax

17.6%

Cape Breton

11.8%

North Shore

11.8%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

50.0%

Manufacturing

50.0%

Professional, scientific and technical services

What is the age of Employment?

33.0%

35-44

28.0%

25-34

17.0%

45-54

11.0%

15-24

11.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

56.3%

Bachelor

$60,009 median annual income

25.0%

High school

N/A

12.5%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A

12.5%

Diploma Above Bachelor

N/A

12.5%

College Diploma

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income

29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income

11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income

9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income

6.9%

Apprenticeship

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Environmental/environmental health engineering

This program is typically offered at the university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for controlling contained living environments and for monitoring and controlling factors in the external natural environment, including pollution control, waste and hazardous material disposal, health and safety protection, conservation, life support, and requirements for protection of special materials and related work environments.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Office of the Registrar

Halifax, NS B3H 4R2

(902) 494-2450

admissions@dal.ca

Website

Graphic design

This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. These programs include courses in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, colour theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modelling, communication skills and commercial art business operations.

Institutions providing this program

Centre for Distance Education

222 George Street, Suite C

Sydney, NS B1P 1J3

(866) 446-5898

info@cd-ed.com

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Ivany Campus

80 Mawiomi Place

Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5

(902) 491-1100

waterfront.info@nscc.ca

Website

Industrial design

This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. These programs include courses in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.

Mechanical engineering

This program is typically offered at the university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of physical systems used in manufacturing and end-product systems used for specific uses, including machine tools, jigs and other manufacturing equipment; stationary power units and appliances; engines; self-propelled vehicles; housings and containers; hydraulic and electric systems for controlling movement; and the integration of computers and remote control with operating systems.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Office of the Registrar

Halifax, NS B3H 4R2

(902) 494-2450

admissions@dal.ca

Website