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Prototype model maker education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, prototype model makers don't need a college education. The most common degree for prototype model makers is bachelor's degree with 39% graduates, with only 29% prototype model maker graduates earning associate degree. Prototype model makers who decided to graduate from college often finish Bemidji State University or Carnegie Mellon University. Some good skills to have in this position include prototype, cnc and cam.

What education do you need to become a prototype model maker?

What degree do you need to be a prototype model maker?

The most common degree for prototype model makers is bachelor's degree, with 39% of prototype model makers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 29% and associate degree degree at 17%.
  • Bachelor's, 39%
  • Associate, 29%
  • High School Diploma, 17%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a prototype model maker?

You should major in graphic design to become a prototype model maker. 23% of prototype model makers major in graphic design. Other common majors for a prototype model maker include precision metal working and industrial technology.

Best majors for prototype model makers

20 best online courses for prototype model makers

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1. Rapid Prototyping and Tooling

coursera

In the Rapid Prototyping and Tooling specialization, students learn how to make effective prototypes. Why is rapid prototyping important, and how does it facilitate the overall engineering design process? At what point in the process should rapid prototyping be employed? How can electronics bring a prototype to the next level? When is it appropriate to make a prototype out of cardboard rather than aluminum? When should you use 3D printing instead of a laser cutter? Real examples provide answers...

2. Adding Electronics to Rapid Prototypes

coursera

Hello, everyone! Welcome to this course on Adding Electronics to Rapid Prototypes. This is part of the Rapid Prototyping and Tooling specialization. In this course, I’ll cover the basics of electric circuits, breadboards, and multimeters. I’ll then discuss different options for connecting electrical components as well as discuss different types of motors and actuators. Finally, I’ll end this course by discussing microcontrollers and how to use them to make even more sophisticated prototypes. By...

3. Adobe XD UI/UX Design, prototype, and handoff from scratch

udemy
4.5
(2,182)

Learn how to design and prototype apps and webpages using Adobe XD...

4. Fusion 360 CAD/CAM for CNC routers

udemy
4.5
(397)

Make any part using your CNC router with Fusion 360...

5. Rapid Prototyping Using 3D Printing

coursera

This specialization will help you understand how prototyping can be accelerated by the use of 3D printing. It first provides insights into the core processes in engineering and product design & development to bring out the importance of prototyping. It then guides learners through different types and characteristics of prototypes, and the different ways of producing prototypes. Learners are then introduced to a wide array of 3D printing technologies and their capabilities to develop a skill in...

6. Creative Design, Prototyping, and Testing

coursera

Designing the customer and user experience is essential to creating great products today. Gone is the old paradigm of “form follows function” model of design. The process must be iterative and follow the best product design and development processes. While designing a great user experience can be a lengthy and expensive process, there are approaches to doing it faster and smarter, without compromising results. This essential product management course explains key design thinking principles...

7. UI UX Design & Prototyping using Adobe XD

udemy
4.4
(854)

Learn Adobe XD for UI/UX Design, User Interface, User Experience Design & Adobe XD Prototyping...

8. Game Prototyping without code using Unity & Playmaker

udemy
4.3
(330)

Build your own FPS-style 3D game prototype from scratch using Unity, Playmaker and a 3D app. Whiteboxing & game systems!...

9. Axure RP 9 Fundamentals and Mobile prototyping for UX Design

udemy
4.4
(340)

Learn the fundamentals to advance level of Axure RP skills to create an interactive prototyping for mobile device...

10. Rapid Prototyping for Entrepreneurs Build a Demo in 2 hours

udemy
4.6
(1,511)

Learn how to wireframe and create realistic interactive prototypes in just 2 hours, all without using code...

11. Learn Figma in 14 Days - Master UI Design and Prototyping

udemy
4.5
(711)

Quickly learn Figma to Design and Prototype an awesome looking Mobile App with screen transitions and hone UI UX Skills...

12. Fusion 360 tutorial for CNC machinists

udemy
4.3
(575)

CAD CAM training for CNC machinists using fusion 360...

13. AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty 2023 - Hands On!

udemy
4.6
(10,643)

AWS machine learning certification preparation - learn Sage Maker, generative AI, data engineering, modeling & more...

14. CNC Milling machine programming using G-Code

udemy
4.7
(331)

Learning to read and write CNC programs with FANUC G Code has never been so easy...

15. Master Solidworks 2015 - 3D CAD using real-world examples

udemy
4.2
(388)

Learn how to master Solidworks 3D CAD modelling for any use, from 3D printing to professional product design!...

16. Species Distribution Models with GIS & Machine Learning in R

udemy
4.2
(520)

Mapping Habitat Suitability for Conservation Using Machine Learning and GIS in R...

17. Learning SOLIDWORKS: For Students, Engineers, and Designers

udemy
4.4
(2,712)

For Basic and Intermediate Users...

18. Master Solidworks 2018 - 3D CAD using real-world examples

udemy
4.3
(1,615)

The 2018 version of the bestselling Solidworks 3D CAD course - learn modelling for any use, from 3D printing to pro use!...

19. Regression Analysis for Statistics & Machine Learning in R

udemy
4.8
(539)

Learn Complete Hands-On Regression Analysis for Practical Statistical Modelling and Machine Learning in R...

20. Master SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD using real-world examples

udemy
4.8
(928)

The 2021 version of the bestselling Solidworks 3D CAD course - learn modelling for any use, from 3D printing to pro use!...

Average prototype model maker salary by education level

Prototype model makers with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $45,857 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, prototype model makers earn a median annual income of $42,964 compared to $42,719 for prototype model makers with an High School Diploma degree.
Prototype model maker education levelPrototype model maker salary
High School Diploma or Less$42,719
Bachelor's Degree$42,964
Some College/ Associate Degree$45,857

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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