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What does a computer designer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
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Computer designer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer designer resumes:

  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Design customer products in SolidWorks and manufacture the product in-house on CNC milling machines.
  • Create and adjust BOM's on drawings.
  • Create business cases for hardware improvement and network capacity for PDM.
  • Work as part of a team to implement at full BOM process.
  • Used SolidWorks to develop design layouts of form sheet steel & weld fabricated assemblies.
  • Assist architect with creation of floor plans, elevations, site plans, etc.
  • Design of HVAC systems: calculations of heating, cooling loads using computer program E-20ii.
  • Work with surveyors to interpret data to establish elevations for new lift stations and access along route.
  • Generate program files, using AutoCAD and ABCCAM, and provide technical support for CNC machining centers.
  • Generate construction details and floor plans for the residential installation of acoustical doors, skylights and windows.
  • Job responsibilities include structural design, plumbing layout, foundations, HVAC, piping and electrical layout and design.
  • Develop small computer network and Internet connection to facilitate electronic interaction between company and CNC facility for manufacturing parts.
  • Incorporate MATLAB and an understanding of thermodynamic systems for analysis in system and component efficiency.

Computer designer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Computer Designers are proficient in Auto CAD, Solidworks, and Aided Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Visualization, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Computer Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Auto CAD, 11%

    Prepared custom drawings for Riser Diagrams, Details, using Auto Cad, r 2008.

  • Solidworks, 9%

    Developed Engineering and SolidWorks design guidelines for the engineering department.

  • Aided Design, 6%

    Instruct new personnel Computer Aided Design 2D and 3D capabilities.

  • Revit, 5%

    Prepared complex Architecture and Engineering construction drawings for residential and commercial projects utilizing AutoCAD Architecture and REVIT.

  • R, 5%

    Helped engineering stall design the Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier.

  • HVAC, 4%

    Job responsibilities included structural design, plumbing layout, foundations, HVAC, piping and electrical layout and design.

Most computer designers use their skills in "auto cad," "solidworks," and "aided design" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computer designer responsibilities here:

Problem-solving skills. One of the key soft skills for a computer designer to have is problem-solving skills. You can see how this relates to what computer designers do because "interior designers must address challenges, such as construction delays or unavailability of certain materials, while keeping the project on time and within budget." Additionally, a computer designer resume shows how computer designers use problem-solving skills: "targeted and resolved notably challenging ecos, enabled progress to continue on updated designs. "

Visualization. Another essential skill to perform computer designer duties is visualization. Computer designers responsibilities require that "interior designers need a strong sense of proportion and visual awareness in order to understand how the pieces of a design will fit together to create the intended environment." Computer designers also use visualization in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed assembly illustrations, shop drawings, merchandising plans and client visualizations. "

Detail oriented. computer designers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to computer designer responsibilities, because "interior designers need to be precise in measuring interior spaces and creating drawings, so that their drawings can be used by workers such as engineers or other designers." A computer designer resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "detailed machine and assembly drawings used in product fabrication. "

Artistic ability. computer designer responsibilities often require "artistic ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "interior designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing designs." This resume example shows what computer designers do with artistic ability on a typical day: "used creative and artistic skills to bring additional innovation to design processes. "

Creativity. Another crucial skill for a computer designer to carry out their responsibilities is "creativity." A big part of what computer designers relies on this skill, since "interior designers need to be imaginative in selecting furnishings and fabrics and in creating functional spaces that serve the client’s needs and fit the client’s lifestyle." How this skill relates to computer designer duties can be seen in an example from a computer designer resume snippet: "created designs in compliance with all federal and local regulations drafted and detailed engineering drawings using inventor 10 and autocad software. "

See the full list of computer designer skills

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Compare different computer designers

Computer designer vs. Design consultant

A design consultant is an individual who provides expertise incorporating functionality and aesthetics to a space or product based on the evaluation of the needs of customers or clients. Design consultants may collaborate with other professionals such as architects, graphic designers, or fashion designers to cater to the needs of their customers. They assist in improving existing designs, either in interior designs, fashions, or graphics. Design consultants may also work in different work settings like retail stores, architectural companies, or graphic design firms.

If we compare the average computer designer annual salary with that of a design consultant, we find that design consultants typically earn a $11,324 higher salary than computer designers make annually.Even though computer designers and design consultants are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require solidworks, aided design, and design development in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between computer designers and design consultant. For instance, computer designer responsibilities require skills such as "auto cad," "revit," "r," and "autodesk." Whereas a design consultant is skilled in "product knowledge," "java," "design services," and "design solutions." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Design consultants tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,021. In contrast, computer designers make the biggest average salary, $72,964, in the pharmaceutical industry.design consultants tend to reach similar levels of education than computer designers. In fact, design consultants are 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Computer designer vs. Interior decorator

A design specialist is responsible for creating engaging visual images and digital content to improve customers' brand awareness about the organization's products and services. Design specialists may also work for media production, creating graphic animations for viewers depending on production requirements and media demands. A design specialist must have excellent knowledge of utilizing various software tools and programs, coordinating with the whole design team on adjusting plans, improving layouts according to budget limitations, and submitting deliverables within the set deadlines.

A career as a interior decorator brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a computer designer. In fact, interior decorators salary is $19,310 lower than the salary of computer designers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both computer designers and interior decorators have skills such as "design process," "design projects," and "space planning. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that computer designer responsibilities requires skills like "auto cad," "solidworks," "aided design," and "revit." But an interior decorator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "in-home," "custom furniture," and "trade shows."

In general, interior decorators achieve similar levels of education than computer designers. They're 0.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer designer vs. Design specialist

An interior design consultant is responsible for designing the interior space of a client's property according to their specifications and budget requirements. Interior design consultants draft their initial layouts, including the cost forecasting and resources for the operations, to determine the client's approval or revise plans as necessary. They also review the current commercial trends to provide recommendations for their clients. An interior design consultant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as expertise in utilizing software tools and applications for digital designs.

An average design specialist eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of computer designers. The difference in salaries amounts to design specialists earning a $9,562 lower average salary than computer designers.By looking over several computer designers and design specialists resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "solidworks," "aided design," and "r." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from computer designer resumes include skills like "auto cad," "revit," "autodesk," and "panel layouts," whereas a design specialist is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "cad," "product knowledge," and "adobe creative suite. "

Most design specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to computer designers. For example, they're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer designer vs. Interior design consultant

Interior design consultants typically earn lower pay than computer designers. On average, interior design consultants earn a $5,032 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, computer designers and interior design consultants both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "aided design," "design development," and "design process. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "auto cad," "solidworks," "revit," and "r" are skills that commonly show up on computer designer resumes. On the other hand, interior design consultants use skills like customer service, real estate, window coverings, and product knowledge on their resumes.The construction industry tends to pay the highest salaries for interior design consultants, with average annual pay of $70,786. Comparatively, the highest computer designer annual salary comes from the pharmaceutical industry.interior design consultants reach similar levels of education compared to computer designers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of computer designer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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