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Commercial Designer

Occupation Information table
Overview: Commercial designers artistically create and design boxes, containers and graphic materials for packaging of products. They survey consumers for artistic preferences. They conduct experiments to determine which types of product packages & advertising yield greatest sales volumes.
Duties: Conduct consumer surveys to identify consumer preferences for packaging of products to be sold by retail stores. Determine whether containers should be paper, plastic, cardboard or glass.

They artistically design the shape of product containers, graphic design and text to be printed on the container. They choose color schemes and review plans with product producers.

Conduct test marketing studies by placing new package designs in stores to determine which designs most attract the consumers' attention.

They experiment with new raw materials that can be used for packaging products. Test the materials for leaks in air seals, weight, ease of shaping, coloring and printing.
Degree(s): A.A.S. Architectural Technology 
A.S. Art: Concentrations in Art & Design or Art History 
A.S. Theatre: Concentrations in Acting or Technical Theatre 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 2% to 4% from 2018 to 2028, which is slightly slower than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $30,000 to $36,000
Green: Green Career
Education Level: Training for this occupation generally requires an Associate Degree from a 2 year or community college.
Additional Training/Education: A bachelor's or associate degree in commercial arts from a college or school of art is the usual required training. Course work in studio arts, 3-D design, applied design, graphic arts and computer-aided design is essential. Applicants should assemble a "portfolio" containing examples of their best work to show employers.
Recommended Skills:
  • Analyzing requirements for a new product or service and creating a design to satisfy those needs.
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Painting, drawing, crafting, sculpting and creative designing.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Analyzing the symptoms of a problem and deciding what actions should be taken to resolve the problem.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Being able to express creative ideas through the arts.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.