Industrial Designer

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: Industrial Designers (2252) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Industrial Designers (C152) 
• 2011 NOC: Industrial designers (2252) 
• 2016 NOC: Industrial designers (2252) 
• 2021 NOC: Industrial designers (22211) 

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

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.

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.

In the 2252: Industrial designers occupational group, 79.5% of people work in:

• Manufacturing
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Retail Trade
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Construction

Employment Outlook

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

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Employment Outlook

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

• 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

In Alberta, the 2252: Industrial designers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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

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

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