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Industrial Designer: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Does working in a creative environment appeal to you? Are you interested in the way things are made? Do you have solid business sense? Do you like to experiment with different ways of doing things? Then your concept of a good career may be industrial design.
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Occupations in Alberta

Industrial Designer

Industrial designers conceptualize and create designs for a wide variety of  industrial products, devices, objects, and services. In producing designs, they consider appearance, functionality, and manufacturability.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Designer, Environmental Designer, Furniture Designer, Product Designer, Transportation Designer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 2252: Industrial Designers

2006 NOC-S

  • C152: Industrial Designers

2011 NOC

  • 2252: Industrial designers

2016 NOC

  • 2252: Industrial designers

2021 NOC

  • 22211: Industrial designers

2023 OaSIS

  • 22211.00: Industrial designers
Duties
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Industrial designers consider how products, systems, and services work, and how to make them work better. They think about:

  • Physical appearance and visual appeal
  • Ease of use and proper user comfort (human factors and user experience)
  • Manufacturability, materials, and processes
  • Consumer preferences and market position
  • Environmental issues
  • Sustainability and product lifecycle

Designers maximize the appearance, function, and value of products and product systems. Their primary goal is the mutual benefit of the user (often the consumer) and the manufacturer.

In general, the designer:

  • Consults with clients or manufacturers to come up with market and other design requirements for the product, service, or system
  • Analyzes the intended function and user preferences to develop product specifications
  • Researches production specifications, costs, materials properties, and manufacturing methods
  • Prepares presentations and reports for client or management approval
  • Prepares concepts, sketches, drawings, physical or computer-aided design models, and prototypes
  • Consults with engineering design and production staff, model makers, and marketing staff

Industrial designers work closely with other members of a product development group. These may include managers, marketing personnel, engineers, and manufacturers. They often are involved in activities such as new product planning and market research. Sometimes they monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory.

More and more designers consider environmental and social justice concerns. They promote changes to the product design and manufacturing processes to enhance sustainability and promote cyclical economics.

Industrial designers may specialize in several areas. They may focus on:

  • Consumer or industrial products
  • Office or home furnishings
  • Scientific instruments
  • Exhibit systems
  • Transportation products and systems

They may design one-of-a-kind objects or mass-produced items. For example, they may develop:

  • Appliances
  • Bespoke furniture
  • Childproof bottle caps
  • Safety equipment
  • Sports and leisure products
  • Toys and games

Industrial designers may also provide advice relating to client image or branding. This could include:

  • Corporate identity systems
  • Communication systems
  • Interior space planning
  • Exhibit design
  • Advertising
  • Packaging
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 23, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Industrial designers may work as part of a consultancy or as staff within small, medium, or large enterprises. They work in offices, design studios, and workshops.

Extended hours and weekend work may be required to meet deadlines.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
A
Artistic
This occupation
You
E
Enterprising
R
Realistic
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Industrial designers
2023 OaSIS: 22211.00

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Artistic

    Artistic jobs involve being creative and expressing yourself. People in these jobs like to draw, write, act, or design. They often work with shapes, colours, patterns, music, or words. These jobs do not always follow strict rules and often let people work in their own way. Examples include artists, writers, and musicians.

  • 2
    Enterprising

    Enterprising jobs are about leading, selling, or starting new projects. People in these jobs like to take charge, make decisions, and reach goals. They often work in business or politics. These jobs may involve some risk and require strong people skills. Examples include managers, salespeople, and entrepreneurs.

  • 3
    Realistic

    Realistic jobs focus on working with your hands, tools, machines, or animals. People in these jobs often fix, build, or take care of things. They like clear tasks and working in a physical way. These jobs usually don’t need much paperwork or teamwork. Examples include mechanics, farmers, and builders.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Industrial designers
2023 OaSIS: 22211.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Industrial designers need:

  • Artistic ability
  • Visualization skills (sketching, drawing, and making)
  • Visual, written, and verbal communication skills
  • Creative problem-solving skills
  • Business sense
  • Project-management skills
  • The ability to work with others in a multidisciplinary setting
  • An interest in wide-ranging areas

They should enjoy:

  • Synthesizing information
  • Conducting research
  • Exploring different ways of doing things
  • Performing precise tasks with tools and equipment

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Industrial designers

2016 NOC: 2252

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 16 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 09, 2021 and Oct 01, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Consult with client, engineers or production specialists to establish product requirements
Tasks: Prepare manufacturing drawings, specifications and guidelines for production and construct prototype of design
Tasks: Prepare design concepts, sketches or models for approval
Work under pressure
Attention to detail
Tasks: Analyze the intended use of products and user preferences
Design Methods: Drafting
Computer and Technology Knowledge: AutoCAD
Tasks: Computer-aided design (CAD)
Experience: 2 years to less than 3 years
Tasks: Consult with client, engineers or production specialists to establish product requirements 6
Tasks: Prepare manufacturing drawings, specifications and guidelines for production and construct prototype of design 6
Tasks: Prepare design concepts, sketches or models for approval 6
Work under pressure 5
Attention to detail 5
Tasks: Analyze the intended use of products and user preferences 5
Design Methods: Drafting 5
Computer and Technology Knowledge: AutoCAD 5
Tasks: Computer-aided design (CAD) 4
Experience: 2 years to less than 3 years 4
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 23, 2023
  • Minimum Education Varies

Industrial design combines visual arts and technology. It requires knowledge and skills in fields such as:

  • Aesthetics
  • Human factors, human-computer interaction, and user experience
  • Manufacturing, materials, and processes
  • Marketing and basic business practices
  • Mechanics and engineering techniques
  • Social and consumer trend analysis

Computers are increasingly important in all aspects of design. They play a role in tasks such as:

  • 3D modelling
  • Animation
  • Computer-aided drafting and design
  • Digital fabrication methods, including 3D printers and laser cutters
  • Documentation
  • Illustration and rendering

However, it is still necessary for designers to have manual skills in drawing, drafting, model-making, and working with various materials such as wood, metals, plastic, and glass.

With this broad range of requirements, industrial designers come from a variety of educational backgrounds. Some may have a bachelor of design degree. However, many have bachelor’s degrees in industrial design, fine arts, engineering, or architecture. Or they may have a background in graphic design.

After graduating, they must pursue ongoing professional development to keep up to date in this field.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Academy of Learning - Calgary Central
Academy of Learning - Calgary NE
Academy of Learning - Edmonton Downtown
Academy of Learning - Edmonton South
Academy of Learning - Edmonton West
Academy of Learning - Medicine Hat
Academy of Learning - Red Deer
Alberta University of the Arts
Bow Valley College
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton West
Digital School
Grant MacEwan University
Lethbridge Polytechnic
Medicine Hat College
Mount Royal University
NorQuest College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Reeves College - Calgary City Centre
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Thompson Rivers University
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
Visual College of Art and Design of Calgary

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 23, 2023
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Some industrial designers are self-employed and work on a contract basis. Others are employed full time.

Employers include manufacturers, not-for-profit organizations, and private design firms. Many graduates of industrial design programs find jobs in major centres. These may be within or outside Canada.

Some students use their education to prepare for entry into architecture, design management, marketing, education, or other aspects of business.

Industrial designers may transfer their skills to other fields such as:

  • User experience design for computer or mobile apps
  • Technical sales and marketing with manufacturers. For more information, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile
  • Exhibition and trade show design and fabrication. For more information, see the Exhibit Designer occupational profile
  • Information design areas, such as the design of natural and historical interpretation centres
Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Industrial designers
2016 NOC: 2252

79.5% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Industrial designers
2021 NOC: 22211
Balanced
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
©
iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Industrial designers
2016 NOC: 2252
2.3%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
7
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Most industrial designers work on a contract basis for specific product and system designs. They negotiate each contract separately. Designers with specialized skills can charge higher fees.

Related High School Subjects
  • Fine Arts
    • Visual Arts
  • English Language Arts
  • Science
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
  • Social Studies
  • Media, Design and Communication Arts
    • Design Studies
  • Natural Resources
    • Environmental Stewardship
  • Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
    • Construction
    • Fabrication
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Fine Arts and Performing Arts
  • Human Ecology, Fashion and Food Sciences
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 23, 2023

Association of Chartered Industrial Designers of Ontario (ACIDO) website: acido.info

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) website: www.idsa.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 23, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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