What does a project designer do?
A Project Designer provides assistance in project design and development activities based on customer requirements. They develop solutions to client architectural complexities.
Project designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project designer resumes:
- Lead efforts to redesign and convert existing self-pace and instructor-le course materials into eLearning and web-base formats.
- Provide 2D AutoCAD and 3D Sketchup drawings for client presentations.
- Implement AIA layering standards and create file management standards for the office.
- Calculate size of ductwork, hydronic piping, plumbing, and gas piping.
- Time management, procedure, and field sketch expertise, must be absolute, and perfect.
- Prepare and deliver construction documents using Revit and AutoCAD for each project on time and within budget.
- Make a sight visit, design a field sketch of the topography, and identify the existing or non-existing facilities.
- Provide preliminary sketches, Sketchup and Photoshop renderings and conceptual models for projects to aid clients in visualizing the designs.
- Adopt AIA master specifications and government guidelines to produce DD s and CD s of institutional facilities run by the county.
- Implement digital modeling with Revit and programmatic diagrams.
- Execute numerous complex field verification surveys and installing them into cad standards.
- Coordinate project requirements with architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing disciplines.
- Produce calculations using engineering formulas and skills for design such as cooling loads, equipment and duct sizing.
- Perform equipment sizing calculations for steam heating and process equipment, as well as review of building specifications and equipment selection.
- Develop RFP for A/E services with other team members.
Project designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Project Designers are proficient in Revit, Sketch, and Design Concepts. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Revit, 17%
Implemented digital modeling with Revit and programmatic diagrams.
- Sketch, 8%
Sketched key-looks for sketch alignment with directors, VP's and President.
- Design Concepts, 5%
Prepared digital and multimedia presentations of design concepts and ideas.
- Auto CAD, 5%
Utilized Auto CAD 2000 equipment to design and produce mechanical drawings and specifications for the organization's clients.
- SketchUp, 5%
Provided preliminary sketches, Sketchup and Photoshop renderings and conceptual models for projects to aid clients in visualizing the designs.
- Design Development, 4%
Coordinated tasks during the design development and contract document phases of projects within a multidisciplinary team.
Most project designers use their skills in "revit," "sketch," and "design concepts" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential project designer responsibilities here:
Problem-solving skills. The most essential soft skill for a project designer to carry out their responsibilities is problem-solving skills. This skill is important for the role 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 project designer resume shows how their duties depend on problem-solving skills: "solved building design issues, developed future expansions and anticipated upcoming trends. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform project designer duties is detail oriented. Project designers responsibilities require that "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." Project designers also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "space plan and detail out full space, specify materials and complete design and construction drawings. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of project designers is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday project designer duties, as "interior designers need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and others." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "leveraged exceptional interpersonal skills to oversee client relationships, co-ordination of project consultants such as mep engineers, contractors, etc. "
Artistic ability. Another common skill required for project designer responsibilities is "artistic ability." This skill comes up in the duties of project designers all the time, as "interior designers use their sense of style to develop aesthetically pleasing designs." An excerpt from a real project designer resume shows how this skill is central to what a project designer does: "stretched out ideas for creative solutions, artistic renderings and material boards organized immense material resources for time efficiency. "
Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to project designer responsibilities. Much of what a project designer does relies on this skill, seeing as "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." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of project designers: "collaborate with team members to build creative and optimal design solutions that meet client needs. "
The three companies that hire the most project designers are:
- Core States Group16 project designers jobs
- MG212 project designers jobs
- The Freeman Company LLC11 project designers jobs
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Compare different project designers
Project 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, project designer responsibilities require skills like "revit," "auto cad," "sketchup," and "architectural design." Meanwhile a typical design consultant has skills in areas such as "product knowledge," "java," "design services," and "leveraged." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Design consultants tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,021. In contrast, project designers make the biggest average salary, $69,498, in the manufacturing industry.On average, design consultants reach similar levels of education than project designers. Design consultants are 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project designer vs. Design specialist
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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real project designer resumes. While project designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "revit," "auto cad," "sketchup," and "design development," design specialists use skills like "customer service," "cad," "product knowledge," and "adobe creative suite."
Design specialists earn similar levels of education than project designers in general. They're 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for project designers in the next 3-5 years?
Tasoulla Hadjiyanni Ph.D.
Northrop Professor of Interior Design, University of Minnesota
Project designer vs. Interior design consultant
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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a project designer is likely to be skilled in "revit," "auto cad," "sketchup," and "project management," while a typical interior design consultant is skilled in "customer service," "real estate," "window coverings," and "product knowledge."
Interior design consultants make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $70,786. On the other hand, project designers are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $69,498.When it comes to education, interior design consultants tend to earn lower degree levels compared to project designers. In fact, they're 5.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project designer vs. Interior design assistant
Interior design assistants are professionals who are responsible for providing direct administrative support while assisting interior designers with various tasks. These assistants are required to run errands and contact clients through phones to obtain important information. They are required to visit stores or shop online to obtain a multitude of materials when working on a project. They must assist interior designers in moving furniture and taking photographs of spaces while measuring rooms and items. Interior design assistants must also manage important projects and ensure they are completed on time.
Types of project designer
Updated January 8, 2025
