20 Occupations Where Knowledge Of Design Is Important

by Ava Rodriguez

Monday, August 24, 2015

Design, which involves knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models, belongs to the engineering and technology knowledge domain. Engineering and technology is knowledge of the design, development, and application of technology for specific purposes.. Other knowledge attributes that belong in this group are

Computers and Electronics
Engineering and Technology
Building and Construction
Mechanical

The occupations where design play a major role are listed below.

Architects
Architects plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, building and construction, customer and personal service, engineering and technology, law and government and sales and marketing.
Median Annual Salary: $72,550 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 16.24%

Civil engineers
Civil engineers perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include building and construction, customer and personal service, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics, physics, public safety and security and transportation.
Median Annual Salary: $77,560 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 24.27%

Landscape architects
Landscape architects plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, building and construction, computers and electronics, customer and personal service, engineering and technology, geography and sales and marketing.
Median Annual Salary: $62,090 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.68%

Agricultural engineers
Agricultural engineers apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include building and construction, computers and electronics, customer and personal service, engineering and technology, mathematics, mechanical and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $71,090 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.13%

Electrical engineers
Electrical engineers research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, engineering and technology, mathematics, mechanical and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $84,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 1.71%

Commercial and industrial designers
Commercial and industrial designers develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include engineering and technology and mechanical.
Median Annual Salary: $58,230 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.97%

Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineers perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, engineering and technology, mathematics, mechanical and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $78,160 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 6.03%

Mechanical drafters
Mechanical drafters prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is engineering and technology.
Median Annual Salary: $48,810

Engineering managers
Engineering managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, computers and electronics, engineering and technology and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $119,260 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 6.16%

Interior designers
Interior designers plan, design, and furnish interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. Formulate design which is practical, aesthetic, and conducive to intended purposes, such as raising productivity, selling merchandise, or improving life style. They may also specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include building and construction and customer and personal service.
Median Annual Salary: $46,280 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.38%

Electronics engineers
Electronics engineers research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, engineering and technology and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $90,170 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: .31%

Aerospace engineers
Aerospace engineers perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. They may also conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. They may also recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include computers and electronics, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics, mechanical and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $97,480 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 10.39%

Nuclear engineers
Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include chemistry, computers and electronics, education and training, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics, mechanical, physics and public safety and security.
Median Annual Salary: $99,920 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 10.95%

Art directors
Art directors formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design. The other knowledge domain that is considered important for this occupation is computers and electronics.
Median Annual Salary: $80,630 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 11.67%

Biomedical engineers
Biomedical engineers apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include biology, chemistry, computers and electronics, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $81,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 72.02%

Environmental engineers
Environmental engineers research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include chemistry, customer and personal service, engineering and technology, law and government, mathematics and physics.
Median Annual Salary: $78,740 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 30.62%

Graphic designers
Graphic designers design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. They may also use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include communications and media, computers and electronics and fine arts.
Median Annual Salary: $43,500 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.91%

Mining and geological engineers
Mining and geological engineers conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. They may also specify the ground support systems, processes and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. They may also inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. They may also design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include engineering and technology and mathematics.
Median Annual Salary: $82,870 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.3%

Chemical engineers
Chemical engineers design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include administration and management, chemistry, computers and electronics, engineering and technology, mathematics, physics and production and processing.
Median Annual Salary: $90,300

Traffic technicians
Traffic technicians conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer. Other knowledge domains that are considered important for this occupation include building and construction, computers and electronics, customer and personal service, engineering and technology, english language, mathematics and public safety and security.
Median Annual Salary: $41,130 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 10.35%