How to become an industrial designer
Official title: Industrial designers
Also called: Fixture designer, Product designer, Container designer, Furniture designer, Industrial designer, Business products designer, Consumer products designer, Ergonomic products designer, Industrial design consultant, Industrial products designer, Toy designer - industrial design
Industrial designers conceptualize and produce designs for manufactured products. They are employed by manufacturing industries and private design firms or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Consult with client, engineers or production specialists to establish product requirements
- Analyze the intended use of product and user preferences
- Conduct research into cost, properties of production materials and methods of production
- Develop manual and computer-assisted design (CAD) concepts, sketches or models for approval
- Prepare manufacturing drawings, specifications and guidelines for production and construct prototype of design
- Consult with engineers and production staff during manufacturing stage
How to become one
A university degree in industrial design, architecture, engineering or A college diploma in industrial design is required. Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
Ways in
- University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 32% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Design and applied arts; Drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians; Mechanical engineering related technologies/technicians.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $70,317 a year The middle half earn $57,662 to $81,179.
- About 10,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 10,800 are projected by 2033. (+8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Architectural technologists and technicians
- Drafting technologists and technicians
- Land survey technologists and technicians
- Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become an industrial designer?
A university degree in industrial design, architecture, engineering or A college diploma in industrial design is required. Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
How much does an industrial designer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $70,317 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $57,662 to $81,179.
Is an industrial designer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2033, from about 10,000 to about 10,800 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an industrial designer?
Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Arts & Humanities degrees; College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03