Types of Degrees

A career in car designing requires a minimum of a bachelors degree in transportation or industrial design. Some employers only consider applicants with advanced degrees like a masters in industrial design.

Time Frame

Bachelors degrees in industrial or transportation design typically require four years of study to complete, while masters programs may require up to an additional four more years of schooling.

Courses

Courses important for careers in car designing include sketching, computer-aided drafting, physics, mathematics, psychology and anthropology, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Knowledge of a foreign language like German or Japanese is also beneficial as many cars are now built overseas.

Skills

Successful car designers possess creativity, drawing and communication abilities and willingness to stay abreast on current trends and the public's tastes and preferences. Knowledge of software programs for computer-aided design are also necessary for car designing.

Other Requirements

To obtain a position in the field, car designers must have a portfolio that displays their skill for prospective employers as well as their ability to produce original designs that look very different from one another. Often, designers build these portfolios while in college.

Source:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Commercial and Industrial Designs

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