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Project designer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.,
Bill Morgan
Project designer example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical project designer skills. We ranked the top skills for project designers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.7% of project designer resumes contained revit as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a project designer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 project designer skills for your resume and career

1. Revit

Revit, also known as Autodesk Revit, is computer software used by architects, structural engineers, and designers to perform building modeling tasks. Revit was designed to facilitate users, draw building modeling structures in a 2D and 3D format. Creating such models allows architects and engineers to pre-planning, scheduling, estimating the life of the structure and the entire cost of construction.

Here's how project designers use revit:
  • Implemented digital modeling with Revit and programmatic diagrams.
  • Experienced with Auto CAD, and has developed knowledge and preliminary skills with Revit 2011.

2. Sketch

Here's how project designers use sketch:
  • Sketched key-looks for sketch alignment with directors, VP's and President.
  • Designed a rollercoaster within a team based, with specific design requirements, using 2D sketch and 3D models.

3. Design Concepts

Here's how project designers use design concepts:
  • Prepared digital and multimedia presentations of design concepts and ideas.
  • Collaborated with principals on design concepts and presentation activities.

4. Auto CAD

Here's how project designers use auto cad:
  • Utilized Auto CAD 2000 equipment to design and produce mechanical drawings and specifications for the organization's clients.
  • Prepared drawings, using IBM CADAM (Trained in using Auto CAD)

5. SketchUp

Here's how project designers use sketchup:
  • Provided preliminary sketches, Sketchup and Photoshop renderings and conceptual models for projects to aid clients in visualizing the designs.
  • Utilized SketchUp, Photoshop and Microstation to create renderings for military facility, as well as construction drawings for facilities.

6. Design Development

Design development is used to refer to a number of positions and skills in a number of different industries. In the architectural world, Design Development is used to refer to an architectural plan that is already halfway or more done but needs further development, alteration, and testing. In the automotive industry, it refers to the skills necessary to create and develop new car, engine, and other designs, as well as to ensure that all designs are safe and effective.

Here's how project designers use design development:
  • Coordinated tasks during the design development and contract document phases of projects within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Design development; construction documents; and structural, mechanical, and electrical document coordination.

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7. Project Management

Here's how project designers use project management:
  • Project Management / Design Oversaw planning, architectural design, and construction document preparation along with project management operations.
  • Project Management: Design, development and production of decorative home furnishings fabrics exclusively for interior designers and architects.

8. Architectural Design

Here's how project designers use architectural design:
  • Diversified background in Retail Mixed-Use architectural design, planning & programming.
  • Procure, envision, create, and implement landscape architectural designs.

9. Design Solutions

The design solution is a process that is used to simplify or translate high-level client requirements into a simpler form that may be also be regarded as a solution. For this purpose, the technical requirements and models are to be transformed into alternative designs which are then analyzed and the best one among all the alternatives is chosen as the ultimate solution.

Here's how project designers use design solutions:
  • Collaborated with customers and vendors to design solutions for complicated problems.
  • Developed schematic conceptual footprint translating into design solutions;.

10. BIM

BIM or Building Information Modelling is a process in which buildings, infrastructure, and other physical structures and places are translated into digital means, into various forms of computer files, 3D models, and digital plans.

Here's how project designers use bim:
  • Implemented BIM protocol and office CAD standards office-wide.
  • Experienced programing, space planning, code and zoning analysis, and BIM Modeling.

11. Construction Administration

Here's how project designers use construction administration:
  • Produced design and construction documents, and performed construction administration services for residential, tenant improvement, and institutional projects.
  • Project Architect; Coordinating Design through Construction Administration on Retail Facilities, Commercial office, Hospitality and Medical Buildings.

12. Building Codes

A building code is a requirement or standard for construction purposes. These codes will serve as the model and set of rules to obtain and approve before starting a project. The goal of this standard is to ensure the safety and protection of both the clients and workers. it is usually related to structures and buildings.

Here's how project designers use building codes:
  • Worked directly with RF Engineering, Civil and Structural engineering teams to ensure compliance of design and local building codes.
  • Space planning, based on occupant load, following the International Building Codes, and TAS 2012.

13. Schematic Design

Schematic design is the initial stage of the five stages of an architectural project. The schematic design aims at producing a rough drawing of the site plan, floor plan, etc.

Here's how project designers use schematic design:
  • Developed project designs for remodeling apartments, formed schematic designs for client and specifications list.
  • Work alongside registered architect to achieve and execute client's visions for their residences from schematic design to job completion.

14. Space Planning

Space Planning is one of the most important elements of interior decorating. The interior designer takes the space available within a building, an apartment, a house, or another type of structure which is being renovated or otherwise altered, and then they begin to play around with the space, creating visions and revisions of the space on paper or in a specialised design program, according to the necessities of the project and clients at hand.

Here's how project designers use space planning:
  • Bring about commercial office furniture specifications and space planning recommendations.
  • Produced AutoCAD architectural construction documents and space planning packages.

15. MEP

MEP is generally a term used in construction, and it stands for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. MEP engineering refers to the process of developing, planning, and managing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system of a building or architecture.

Here's how project designers use mep:
  • Coordinate with Structural, Civil and MEP engineers to kick off a variety of scopes for retail/commercial projects.
  • Used AutoCAD 2010 MEP for Electrical and Mechanical Design of Single Family and Multi-Family Projects.
top-skills

What skills help Project Designers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on project designer resumes?

Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The retail industry is robust and requires many skills. Content and industry-related knowledge are essential, including comfort with computer applications like Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Excel. Beyond knowledge of the industry, job candidates need excellent communication skills in written and oral forms. It's also highly recommended that job candidates have work experience in their area of interest, which could include an internship, job shadow, or part-time position.

What soft skills should all project designers possess?

Bill Morgan

Coordinator, Undergraduate Program — Interior Design, Lecturer, Interior Design, University of North Texas

-Emotional Intelligence
-Listening
-Time-Management

What hard/technical skills are most important for project designers?

Bill Morgan

Coordinator, Undergraduate Program — Interior Design, Lecturer, Interior Design, University of North Texas

-Drawing Proficiency (drawing of all types, includes 3D visualization)
-Technical Proficiency (detailing)
-Project Management

What project designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Ph.D.Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Northrop Professor of Interior Design, University of Minnesota

Centering themselves - when "Cancel Culture" and the fear of making a mistake are over-powering decision-making processes, graduates need to be able to examine their reactions to tension and be more aware of their values priorities. With such awareness, they can move toward "Consider Culture," forming impactful coalitions, mediating conflict, and being open to dialogues. With a stronger sense of self, they can embrace humility and a willingness to unlearn exclusionary practices-both on personal and collective levels. They can do that through mindfulness practice, reading the stories of people they know little about, and engaging with difference.

What type of skills will young project designers need?

George BrazilGeorge Brazil LinkedIn profile

Interior Architect, SagreraBrazil Design, Inc.

It really depends on the type of design that you want to practice. Universally, I would say strong visual communication skills are a must. Having a strong knowledge of 2D, 3D, and rendering software will take you far when applying for your first job. Hand-in-hand with this knowledge, would be a strong understanding of how things are built, how furniture in made, and the why behind the how. I feel this might be where a lot of institutions let their students down, and it is up to the student to supplement what they learn academically with what they take on themselves, either through their own self-education or through internships. The more you understand the how and the why, the more of an asset you will be to an employer.

What technical skills for a project designer stand out to employers?

Kristen DeWolfKristen DeWolf LinkedIn profile

Director, Career Services, Syracuse University

This is certainly highly dependent upon the industry the employer is in/type of work being done; however, MSExcel is one of the key skills that I hear over and over again from employers across many industries. Researching the employer/industry and understanding the technologies most used (and learning those programs if you don't already) is a great way for a candidate to stand out. There are plenty of opportunities to learn technical skills on sites such as LinkedIn Learning. When a candidate can show they're paying attention and have learned the skills to hit the ground running, the more valuable they will be as a candidate.

List of project designer skills to add to your resume

Project designer skills

The most important skills for a project designer resume and required skills for a project designer to have include:

  • Revit
  • Sketch
  • Design Concepts
  • Auto CAD
  • SketchUp
  • Design Development
  • Project Management
  • Architectural Design
  • Design Solutions
  • BIM
  • Construction Administration
  • Building Codes
  • Schematic Design
  • Space Planning
  • MEP
  • Design Projects
  • Aided Design
  • HVAC
  • Shop Drawings
  • Solidworks
  • Civil 3D
  • Design Process
  • Technical Specifications
  • Cost Estimates
  • Construction Drawings
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Design Drawings
  • FF
  • Project Scope
  • Client Presentations
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • GIS
  • Design Issues
  • Healthcare
  • Project Specifications
  • Construction Management
  • Residential Projects
  • Construction Projects
  • Conceptual Development
  • Furniture Specifications
  • Presentation Materials
  • Lead Design
  • RFI
  • PowerPoint
  • MATLAB
  • Environmental Design
  • Arduino

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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