Three out of 10 designers are self-employed—almost 5 times the
proportion for all professional and related occupations.
Creativity is crucial in all design occupations; most designers
need a bachelor's degree, and candidates with a master's degree
hold an advantage.
Keen competition is expected for most jobs, despite projected
faster-than-average employment growth, because many talented individuals
are attracted to careers as designers.
Nature of the Work
Designers are people with a desire to create. They combine practical
knowledge with artistic ability to turn abstract ideas into formal
designs for the merchandise we buy, the clothes we wear, the publications
we read, and the living and office space we inhabit. Designers usually
specialize in a particular area of design, such as automobiles,
industrial or medical equipment, or home appliances; clothing and
textiles; floral arrangements; publications, logos, signage, or
movie or TV credits; interiors of homes or office buildings; merchandise
displays; or movie, television, and theater sets.
The first step in developing a new design or altering an existing
one is to determine the needs of the client, the ultimate function
for which the design is intended, and its appeal to customers. When
creating a design, designers often begin by researching the desired
design characteristics, such as size, shape, weight, color, materials
used, cost, ease of use, fit, and safety.
Designers then prepare sketches—by hand or with the aid of a computer—to
illustrate the vision for the design. After consulting with the
client, an art or design director, or a product development team,
designers create detailed designs using drawings, a structural model,
computer simulations, or a full-scale prototype. Many designers
increasingly are using computer-aided design (CAD) tools to create
and better visualize the final product. Computer models allow greater
ease and flexibility in exploring a greater number of design alternatives,
thus reducing design costs and cutting the time it takes to deliver
a product to market. Industrial designers use computer-aided industrial
design (CAID) tools to create designs and machine-readable instructions
that communicate with automated production tools.
Designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out their creations.
Designers who run their own businesses also may devote a considerable
amount of time to developing new business contacts, reviewing equipment
and space needs, and performing administrative tasks, such as reviewing
catalogues and ordering samples. Design encompasses a number of
different fields. Many designers specialize in a particular area
of design, whereas others work in more than one area.
Commercial and industrial designers, including designers
of commercial products and equipment, develop countless manufactured
products, including airplanes; cars; children's toys; computer equipment;
furniture; home appliances; and medical, office, and recreational
equipment. They combine artistic talent with research on product
use, customer needs, marketing, materials, and production methods
to create the most functional and appealing design that will be
competitive with others in the marketplace. Industrial designers
typically concentrate in an area of sub-specialization such as kitchen
appliances, auto interiors, or plastic-molding machinery.
Fashion designers design clothing and accessories. Some
high-fashion designers are self-employed and design for individual
clients. Other high-fashion designers cater to specialty stores
or high-fashion department stores. These designers create original
garments, as well as those that follow established fashion trends.
Most fashion designers, however, work for apparel manufacturers,
creating designs of men's, women's, and children's fashions for
the mass market.
Floral designers cut and arrange live, dried, or artificial
flowers and foliage into designs, according to the customer's order.
They trim flowers and arrange bouquets, sprays, wreaths, dish gardens,
and terrariums. They usually work from a written order indicating
the occasion, customer preference for color and type of flower,
price, the time at which the floral arrangement or plant is to be
ready, and the place to which it is to be delivered. The variety
of duties performed by floral designers depends on the size of the
shop and the number of designers employed. In a small operation,
floral designers may own their shops and do almost everything, from
growing and purchasing flowers to keeping financial records.
Graphic designers use a variety of print, electronic, and
film media to create designs that meet clients' commercial needs.
Using computer software, they develop the overall layout and design
of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other
publications. They also may produce promotional displays and marketing
brochures for products and services, design distinctive company
logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage
systems—called environmental graphics—for business and government.
An increasing number of graphic designers develop material to appear
on Internet home pages. Graphic designers also produce the credits
that appear before and after television programs and movies.
Interior designers plan the space and furnish the interiors
of private homes, public buildings, and business or institutional
facilities, such as offices, restaurants, retail establishments,
hospitals, hotels, and theaters. They also plan the interiors when
existing structures are renovated or expanded. Most interior designers
specialize. For example, some may concentrate in residential design,
and others may further specialize by focusing on particular rooms,
such as kitchens or baths. With a client's tastes, needs, and budget
in mind, interior designers prepare drawings and specifications
for non-load bearing interior construction, furnishings, lighting,
and finishes. Increasingly, designers use computers to plan layouts,
which can easily be changed to include ideas received from the client.
Interior designers also design lighting and architectural details—such
as crown molding, built-in bookshelves, or cabinets—coordinate colors,
and select furniture, floor coverings, and window treatments. Interior
designers must design space to conform to Federal, State, and local
laws, including building codes. Designs for public areas also must
meet accessibility standards for the disabled and elderly.
Merchandise displayers and window dressers, or visual
merchandisers, plan and erect commercial displays, such as those
in windows and interiors of retail stores or at trade exhibitions.
Those who work on building exteriors erect major store decorations,
including building and window displays, and spot lighting. Those
who design store interiors outfit store departments, arrange table
displays, and dress mannequins. In large retail chains, store layouts
typically are designed corporately, through a central design department.
To retain the chain's visual identity and ensure that a particular
image or theme is promoted in each store, designs are distributed
to individual stores by e-mail, downloaded to computers equipped
with the appropriate design software, and adapted to meet individual
store size and dimension requirements.
Set and exhibit designers create sets for movie, television,
and theater productions and design special exhibition displays.
Set designers study scripts, confer with directors and other designers,
and conduct research to determine the appropriate historical period,
fashion, and architectural styles. They then produce sketches or
scale models to guide in the construction of the actual sets or
exhibit spaces. Exhibit designers work with curators, art and museum
directors, and trade show sponsors to determine the most effective
use of available space.
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.
Self-employed designers tend to work longer hours.
Designers who work on a contract, or job, basis frequently adjust
their workday to suit their clients' schedules, meeting with them
during evening or weekend hours when necessary. Designers may transact
business in their own offices or studios or in clients' homes or
offices, or they may travel to other locations, such as showrooms,
design centers, clients' exhibit sites, and manufacturing facilities.
Designers who are paid by the assignment are under pressure to please
clients and to find new ones to maintain a constant income. All
designers face frustration at times when their designs are rejected
or when they cannot be as creative as they wish. With the increased
use of computers in the workplace and the advent of Internet websites,
more designers conduct business, research design alternatives, and
purchase supplies electronically than ever before.
Occasionally, industrial designers may work additional hours to
meet deadlines. Similarly, graphic designers usually work regular
hours, but may work evenings or weekends to meet production schedules.
In contrast, set and exhibit designers work long and irregular hours;
often, they are under pressure to make rapid changes. Merchandise
displayers and window trimmers who spend most of their time designing
space typically work in office-type settings; however, those who
also construct and install displays spend much of their time doing
physical labor, such as those tasks performed by a carpenter or
someone constructing and moving stage scenery. (Carpenters are discussed
elsewhere in the Handbook.) Fashion designers may work long
hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows.
In addition, fashion designers may be required to travel to production
sites across the United States and overseas. Interior designers
generally work under deadlines and may work extra hours to finish
a job. Also, they regularly carry heavy, bulky sample books to meetings
with clients. Floral designers usually work regular hours in a pleasant
work environment, but holiday, wedding, and funeral orders often
require overtime.
Employment
Designers held about 492,000 jobs in 2000. About one-third were
self-employed. Employment was distributed as follows:
Graphic designers
190,000
Floral designers
102,000
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
76,000
Commercial and industrial designers
50,000
Interior designers
46,000
Fashion designers
16,000
Set and exhibit designers
12,000
Designers work in a number of different industries, depending on
their design specialty. Most industrial designers, for example,
work for engineering or architectural consulting firms or for large
corporations. Most salaried interior designers work for furniture
and home furnishings stores, interior designing services, and architectural
firms. Others are self-employed and do freelance work—full time
or part time—in addition to a salaried job in another occupation.
Set and exhibit designers work for theater companies; film and
television production companies; and museums, art galleries, and
convention and conference centers. Fashion designers generally work
for textile, apparel, and pattern manufacturers; wholesale distributors
of clothing, furnishings, and accessories; or for fashion salons,
high-fashion department stores, and specialty shops. Most floral
designers work for retail flower shops or in floral departments
located inside grocery and department stores.
Creativity is crucial in all design occupations. People in this
field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color
and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation
for beauty. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching
ability remains an important advantage in most types of design,
especially fashion design. A good portfolio—a collection of examples
of a person's best work—often is the deciding factor in getting
a job.
A bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level design positions,
except for floral design and visual merchandising. Esthetic ability
is important for floral design and visual merchandising, but formal
preparation typically is not necessary. Many candidates in industrial
design pursue a master's degree to better compete for open positions.
Interior design is the only design field subject to government
regulation. According to the American Society for Interior Designers,
19 States and the District of Columbia require interior designers
to be licensed or registered. Passing the National Council for Interior
Design qualification examination is required for licensure. To take
the exam, one must complete at least 2 years of postsecondary education
in design, at least 2 years of practical work experience in the
field, plus additional related education or experience to total
at least 6 years of combined education and experience in design.
Because licensing is not mandatory in all States, membership in
a professional association is an indication of an interior designer's
qualifications and professional standing—and can aid in obtaining
clients.
In fashion design, employers seek individuals with a 2- or 4-year
degree who are knowledgeable in the areas of textiles, fabrics,
and ornamentation, as well as trends in the fashion world. Set and
exhibit designers typically have college degrees in 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.
Most floral designers learn their skills on the job. When employers
hire trainees, they generally look for high school graduates who
have a flair for arranging and a desire to learn. Completion of
formal training, however, is an asset for floral designers, particularly
for advancement to the chief floral designer level. Vocational and
technical schools offer programs in floral design, usually lasting
less than a year, while 2- and 4-year programs in floriculture,
horticulture, floral design, or ornamental horticulture are offered
by community and junior Schools, and Schools and universities.
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 Schools 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, is recommended for designers who want
to freelance. Additionally, persons with training or experience
in architecture qualify for some design occupations, particularly
interior design.
Because computer-aided design is increasingly common, many employers
expect new designers to be familiar with its use 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—images
can be inserted, edited, and replaced easily and without added cost—making
it possible for a client to see and choose among several designs.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design currently
accredits about 200 postsecondary institutions with programs in
art and design; most of these schools award a degree in art. Some
award degrees in industrial, interior, textile, graphic, or fashion
design. Many schools do not allow formal entry into a bachelor's
degree program until a student has successfully finished a year
of basic art and design courses. Applicants may be required to submit
sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.
The Foundation for Interior Design Education Research also accredits
interior design programs and schools. Currently, there are more
than 120 accredited professional programs in the United States and
Canada, primarily located in schools of art, architecture, and home
economics.
Individuals in the design field must be creative, imaginative,
persistent, and able to communicate their ideas in writing, visually,
and verbally. Because tastes in style and fashion can change quickly,
designers need to be well-read, open to new ideas and influences,
and quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and
the ability to work independently and under pressure are important
traits. People in this field need self-discipline to start projects
on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and production
schedules. Good business sense and sales ability also are important,
especially for those who freelance or run their own business.
Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training, and normally
need 1 to 3 years of training before they can advance to higher-level
positions. Experienced designers in large firms may advance to chief
designer, design department head, or other supervisory positions.
Some designers become teachers in design schools and Schools and
universities. Many faculty members continue to consult privately
or operate small design studios to complement their classroom activities.
Some experienced designers open their own firms.
Job Outlook
Despite projected faster-than-average employment growth, designers
in most fields—with the exception of floral design—are expected
to face keen competition for available positions. Many talented
individuals are attracted to careers as designers. Individuals with
little or no formal education in design, as well as those who lack
creativity and perseverance, will find it very difficult to establish
and maintain a career in design. Floral design should be the least
competitive of all design fields because of the relatively low pay
and limited opportunities for advancement, as well as the relatively
high job turnover of floral designers in retail flower shops.
Overall, the employment of designers is expected to grow faster
than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. In addition
to those that result from employment growth, many job openings will
arise from the need to replace designers who leave the field. Increased
demand for industrial designers will stem from the continued emphasis
on product quality and safety; the demand for new products that
are easy and comfortable to use; the development of high-technology
products in medicine, transportation, and other fields; and growing
global competition among businesses. Demand for graphic designers
should increase because of the rapidly increasing demand for Web-based
graphics and the expansion of the video entertainment market, including
television, movies, videotape, and made-for-Internet outlets. Rising
demand for professional design of private homes, offices, restaurants
and other retail establishments, and institutions that care for
the rapidly growing elderly population should spur employment growth
of interior designers. Demand for fashion designers should remain
strong, because many consumers continue to demand new fashions and
apparel styles.
Earnings
Median annual earnings for commercial and industrial designers
were $48,780 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,460
and $64,120. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,290, and
the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,790.
Median annual earnings for fashion designers were $48,530 in 2000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $34,800 and $73,780. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $24,710, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $103,970. Median annual earnings were $52,860 in
apparel, piece goods, and notions--the industry employing the largest
numbers of fashion designers.
Median annual earnings for floral designers were $18,360 in 2000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $14,900 and $22,110. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $12,570, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $27,860. Median annual earnings were $20,160 in
grocery stores and $17,760 in miscellaneous retail stores, including
florists.
Median annual earnings for graphic designers were $34,570 in 2000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $26,560 and $45,130. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $20,480, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $58,400. Median annual earnings in the industries
employing the largest numbers of graphic designers were as follows:
Management and public relations
$37,570
Advertising
37,080
Mailing, reproduction, and stenographic services
36,130
Commercial printing
29,730
Newspapers
28,170
Median annual earnings for interior designers were $36,540 in 2000.
The middle 50 percent earned between $26,800 and $51,140. The lowest
10 percent earned less than $19,840, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $66,470. Median annual earnings were $40,710 in
engineering and architectural services and $34,890 in furniture
and home furnishings stores.
Median annual earnings of merchandise displayers and window dressers
were $20,930 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $16,770
and $26,840. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,790, and
the highest 10 percent earned more than $31,130. Median annual earnings
were $22,210 in groceries and related products and $18,820 in department
stores.
Median annual earnings for set and exhibit designers were $31,440
in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,460 and $42,800.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,820, and the highest
10 percent earned more than $57,400.
According to the Industrial Designers Society of America, the median
base salary, excluding deferred compensation, bonuses, royalties,
and commissions, for an industrial designer with 1 to 2 years of
experience was about $36,500 in 2000. Staff designers with 5 years
of experience earned $45,000, whereas senior designers with 8 years
of experience earned $64,000. Industrial designers in managerial,
executive, or ownership positions earned substantially more—up to
$600,000 annually; however, the $80,000 to $180,000 range was more
representative.
The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) reported 1999 median
earnings for graphic designers with increasing levels of responsibility.
Staff-level graphic designers earned $36,000, while senior designers,
who may supervise junior staff or have some decision-making authority
that reflects their knowledge of graphic design, earned $50,000.
Solo designers, who freelance or work independently of a company,
reported median earnings of $50,000. Design directors, the creative
heads of design firms or in-house corporate design departments,
earned $80,000. Graphic designers with business responsibilities
for the operation of a firm as owners, partners, or principals earned
$90,000.
Related Occupations
Workers in other occupations who design or arrange objects, materials,
or interiors to enhance their appearance and function include artists
and related workers; architects, except landscape and naval; engineers,
landscape architects, and photographers. Some computer-related occupations
require design skills, including computer software engineers and
desktop publishers.
Sources of Additional Information
For general information about art and design and a list of accredited
college-level programs, contact:
