Commercial and Industrial Designers

Design Engineer

Designer

Industrial Designer

Mechanical Designer

Mold Designer

Product Design Engineer

Product Designer

Product Development Engineer

Sign Designer

What is a Commercial and Industrial Designer?

Commercial and Industrial Designers are professionals who focus on the design and development of products that are efficient, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They work on a diverse range of products, from consumer electronics and household items to vehicles and medical devices. The primary goal of these designers is to improve the usability and functionality of products while also considering manufacturing processes, materials, and market trends. To achieve this, they utilize design software, sketches, and prototypes, working closely with engineers, manufacturers, and marketing teams to ensure that their designs can be effectively brought to market. Their work involves a combination of creativity and engineering, requiring a deep understanding of materials, production techniques, and user experience. Commercial and Industrial Designers must stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements to create innovative products that meet consumer needs and preferences.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$46530.0 - $126010.0

New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.

Technology Skills

Computer aided design CAD software
Video creation and editing software
Graphics or photo imaging software
Development environment software
Object or component oriented development software

Tools Used

Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
High capacity removable media drives
- Universal serial bus USB flash drives
Digital cameras
- Compact digital cameras
Liquid crystal display projector
- Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
Desktop computers

Knowledge

Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

15 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R27,526pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Commercial and Industrial Designer in South Africa

The South African design landscape is currently undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on local manufacturing and innovative product development. With 12 active jobs currently available and an average salary of R27,526pm, the profession offers both stability and creative fulfilment. Notably, our data shows a robust upward trend in monthly earnings during 2024, starting at approximately R24,223.28 in January and rising to R30,279.11 by December. This growth reflects the increasing value South African businesses place on high-quality industrial design.

Is Commercial and Industrial Design Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this career path, evaluate your natural inclinations against the core traits required for success in the industry:

Spatial Reasoning: Can you easily mentalise 3D objects and understand how various components fit together?
Analytical Problem-Solving: Do you look at a malfunctioning product and immediately start thinking of ways to improve its mechanical or ergonomic design?
User-Centric Empathy: Are you passionate about how people interact with objects? (e.g., Does the "feel" of a handle matter to you as much as its look?)
Technical Curiosity: Do you have an interest in manufacturing processes, materials, and how things are actually built?
Aesthetic Sensitivity: Do you have a refined eye for balance, colour, and form that allows you to create products that are as beautiful as they are functional?
Adaptability: Can you handle the pressure of tight deadlines and the need to constantly iterate on your designs based on client feedback?

A Day in the Life of a South African Industrial Designer

In a typical South African design firm or manufacturing plant, your day is a blend of digital precision and hands-on creation. You might start your morning in a collaborative "scrum" session in a studio in Maboneng or Woodstock, brainstorming how to reduce material waste for a new consumer electronics casing. By mid-morning, you are likely immersed in CAD software (like SolidWorks or Rhino), refining technical drawings to ensure they meet local safety standards.

Afternoons often involve "shop floor" time—liaising with production managers to oversee the fabrication of a prototype or testing the durability of a new furniture range. In the SA context, you must frequently troubleshoot around material availability and cost-effective production, making you a vital bridge between the marketing team's vision and the factory's reality. It is a high-energy environment where you see your sketches evolve into tangible products used by thousands of South Africans.

Education & Upskilling

To enter this competitive field, a solid educational foundation is essential. Most South African employers look for a Bachelor’s Degree or a BTech in Industrial Design from accredited institutions like the University of Johannesburg (UJ) or Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). These programmes provide the necessary grounding in design theory, ergonomics, and material science.

Formal Degrees: Focus on institutions that offer strong industry links and workshop access.
TVET Colleges: These are excellent for gaining practical, vocational skills in draughting and technical manufacturing.
Certifications: Specialised short courses in UI/UX design, 3D printing, or Sustainable Design are highly recommended to stay relevant.

In this industry, continuous learning is the key to longevity. Whether it is mastering a new 3D-rendering software or staying updated on the latest eco-friendly polymers, a designer who stops learning quickly becomes obsolete. You must be prepared to constantly upskill to keep pace with global technological advancements.

Next Steps

The path to becoming a successful Commercial and Industrial Designer requires a unique blend of artistic flair and engineering logic. With the South African market showing such positive salary growth and a steady demand for talent, there has never been a better time to professionalise your passion. Are you prepared to shape the future of African industry? Test your readiness now by taking our specialized career assessment and discover if you have what it takes to excel in this dynamic field.

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

68 %
Some college, no degree

15 %
Associate's degree

12 %

Work Activities

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
Present work to clients for approval.
Estimate costs for projects or productions.

Work Interests

Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.