Designers
| Description |
OES Code: 34038 |
Design or arrange objects and materials to achieve artistic or decorative effects for apparel or other commercial items. May also create, mark out, or draw designs for items such as furniture and machinery (product design). Designers are generally categorized according to articles or products designed, such as Clothes Designers, Industrial Designers, or according to type of design work, such as Embroidery Designers. Include Layout Artists.
Wages, California
| Entry-Level Hourly Wage |
$17.14 |
| 25th Percentile |
$20.08 |
| 50th Percentile |
$26.12 |
| 75th Percentile |
$33.38 |
Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey
Hours & Benefits
Designers employed by manufacturing establishments or design firms generally work regular hours. Self-employed designers tend to work longer hours. Designers frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients' schedules, meeting with them during evening or weekend hours, when necessary. Industrial designers usually work regular hours but occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines. In contrast, set, lighting, and costume designers work long and irregular hours, and they often are under pressure to make rapid changes. Fashion designers may work long hours, particularly during production deadlines or before fashion shows, when overtime usually is necessary. In addition, fashion designers may be required to travel to production sites across the United States and overseas.
Employment Trends, California
| Employment 1998 |
22,800 |
| Projected Employment 2008 |
31,100 |
| Percent Change 1998-2008 |
36.4% |
| Separations 1998-2008 |
3,900 |
Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
| Employment 1999 |
110 |
| Projected Employment 2006 |
130 |
| Percent Change 1999-2006 |
18.2% |
| Separations 1999-2006 |
10 |
Employment Trends by California County
Working Conditions
Working conditions and places of employment vary. Designers employed by manufacturing establishments, large corporations, or design firms generally work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings.
Advancement
Experienced designers in large firms may also advance to chief designer, design department head, or to other supervisory positions. Some designers become teachers in design schools and colleges and universities. Some experienced designers open their own firms.
Getting the Job & Other Information
A good portfolio (a collection of examples of a person's best work) is often the deciding factor in getting a job. Industries which employ designers (other than interior design and floral design) include the automobile, clothing, furniture, home appliance, industrial equipment, movie, theater, packaging, textile, and fashion industries.
For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. |
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Set, lighting, and costume designers typically have college degrees in their particular area of design. A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from an accredited university program further establishes one's design credentials. Membership in the United Scenic Artists, Local 829, is a nationally recognized standard of achievement for scenic designers. Formal training for some design professions also is available in 2- and 3-year professional schools that award certificates or associate degrees in design. Graduates of 2-year programs normally qualify as assistants to designers. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is granted at 4-year colleges and universities. The curriculum in these schools includes art and art history, principles of design, designing and sketching, and specialized studies for each of the individual design disciplines, such as garment construction, textiles, mechanical and architectural drawing, computerized design, sculpture, architecture, and basic engineering. A liberal arts education, with courses in merchandising, business administration, marketing, and psychology, along with training in art, also is a good background for most design fields. Additionally, persons with training or experience in architecture qualify for some design occupations, particularly interior design.
Skills & Other Requirements
Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this field must have a strong sense of the aesthetic-- an eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Sketching ability is helpful for most designers. Individuals in the design field must be creative, imaginative, persistent, and able to communicate their ideas in writing, visually, or verbally. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and under pressure are important traits.
Computer-aided design (CAD) increasingly is used in all areas of design, except floral design, so many employers expect new designers to be familiar with the use of the computer as a design tool. For example, industrial designers extensively use computers in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries. Interior designers use computers to create numerous versions of interior space designs, making it possible for a client to see and choose among several designs; images can be inserted, edited, and replaced easily and without added cost. In furniture design, a chair's basic shape and structure may be duplicated and updated, by applying new upholstery styles and fabrics with the use of computers.
References
Us Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Related Occupations: Commercial Artists, Architects
Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP) |
