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What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Visual Arts pathway.

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Background in the industry is always helpful. This can be learned in community college courses. "It's good to learn about different processes so that you know how things you are designing are made," says designer Christine Parry. You can also contact a car body designer to see if you can watch them on the job for a day.

In the Detroit area, a high school curriculum has been developed to give students an opportunity to start developing the skills needed to become body designers. However, if you aren't in an area that offers these studies, courses in drafting, geometry, math and physics will help. Computer-aided design with an emphasis on car design is offered at many community colleges and technical institutes in the Michigan area.

"Lots of people who have been designing for years just have a high school diploma," says Parry.

However, most employers now require a two-year degree in computer-aided design. "More and more education is required, and I think in a while people will be wanting a four-year degree," says designer Jerry Richard.

Engineering courses would also be helpful in finding a job as a car body designer. "I don't mean that you have to go out and get a full engineering degree, but a few courses will always help," says designer Norm Robbins.

Certification isn't required to be a car body designer. However, the American Society of Body Engineers is starting up a three-level body design certification program. "In five years, I can see it evolving into a requirement," says Richard.

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