Also called: Industrial Designer (Furniture), Product Designer
Designs chairs, tables, sofas and office furniture that look good, feel good and can be built efficiently.
You sketch a new office chair, build it in 3D software and then sit in the first wobbly prototype to see if it is comfortable. You work with the factory to cut costs without ruining the look. Some designers run their own studios and sell small-batch pieces.
Uses BLS commercial and industrial designer wages.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in industrial design or furniture design.
Ways in: 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Industrial Design, Furniture Design, Interior Design, Product Design.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). About average growth.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI generates concept renders fast, shrinking junior design work; designers who build prototypes and know production stay in demand.
Classes: Art, Woodshop class, Drafting/CAD class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.