According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment. | 87% |
| Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends. | 86% |
| Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics. | 81% |
| Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products. | 79% |
| Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification. | 79% |
| Develop industrial standards and regulatory guidelines. | 75% |
| Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements. | 73% |
| Coordinate the look and function of product lines. | 72% |
| Direct and coordinate the fabrication of models or samples and the drafting of working drawings and specification sheets from sketches. | 71% |
| Develop manufacturing procedures and monitor the manufacture of their designs in a factory to improve operations and product quality. | 68% |
| Investigate product characteristics such as the product's safety and handling qualities, its market appeal, how efficiently it can be produced, and ways of distributing, using, and maintaining it. | 68% |
| Participate in new product planning or market research, including studying the potential need for new products. | 65% |
| Supervise assistants' work throughout the design process. | 65% |
| Design graphic material for use as ornamentation, illustration, or advertising on manufactured materials and packaging or containers. | 64% |
| Read publications, attend showings, and study competing products and design styles and motifs to obtain perspective and generate design concepts. | 61% |
| Fabricate models or samples in paper, wood, glass, fabric, plastic, metal, or other materials, using hand or power tools. | 61% |
| Advise corporations on issues involving corporate image projects or problems. | 38% |
