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Color Materials Designer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

You will work closely with exterior design, digital modeling, Color & Material, and engineering ... Collaborate with exterior designers, digital modelers, and colors & materials teams to align wheel ...

Create computer-generated full-color graphics and/or vinyl output that can be printed and mounted ... Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, select style and size of type ...

Interior Designer - Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is excited to partner with a ... Knowledge of furniture, finishes, materials, color selections, and specifications * Strong verbal ...

Interior Designer - Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is excited to partner with a ... Knowledge of furniture, finishes, materials, color selections, and specifications * Strong verbal ...

Interior Designer - Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is excited to partner with a ... Knowledge of furniture, finishes, materials, color selections, and specifications * Strong verbal ...

Interior Designer - Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is excited to partner with a ... Knowledge of furniture, finishes, materials, color selections, and specifications * Strong verbal ...

Interior Designer - Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is excited to partner with a ... Knowledge of furniture, finishes, materials, color selections, and specifications * Strong verbal ...

Create computer-generated full-color graphics and/or vinyl output that can be printed and mounted ... Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, select style and size of type ...

Interior Designer

Ann Arbor, MI · Hybrid

$66K - $82K/hr

Develop complementary color palettes in design plans. * Provide project team coordination for ... Produce and assist with plan elevations, details, specifications, and material selections in the ...

Conduct material and product research for interior applications. * Translate design intent into ... All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color ...

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Color Materials Designer information

See Michigan salary details

$12

$20

$37

How much do color materials designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for color materials designer in Michigan is $20.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a color materials designer?

Color Materials Designers are professionals who specialize in selecting and developing the colors, materials, and finishes used in products such as apparel, footwear, automobiles, or consumer electronics. They combine knowledge of design, material science, and trends to create visually appealing and functional products. Their work often involves collaborating with engineers, product designers, and marketing teams to ensure the finished product aligns with brand identity and consumer preferences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a color materials designer?

To thrive as a Color Materials Designer, you need expertise in color theory, material science, trend analysis, and often a degree in industrial, textile, or fashion design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Creative Suite and 3D rendering tools, as well as knowledge of material sourcing and finishing processes, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration and communication skills help you stand out in this role. These abilities are crucial for developing innovative, market-relevant designs that meet aesthetic, functional, and manufacturing requirements.

How does a color materials designer typically collaborate with other departments during the product development process?

As a Color Materials Designer, you will frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams such as product design, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing. Your role involves presenting material and color concepts, aligning your choices with brand guidelines, and ensuring feasibility with manufacturing constraints. Regular meetings and hands-on workshops are common, as you work closely with engineers to solve technical challenges and with marketing to ensure the final product embodies the intended brand identity. This collaborative environment ensures your creative input is integrated seamlessly into the final product.

What is the difference between Color Materials Designer vs Product Designer?

AspectColor Materials DesignerProduct Designer
Primary FocusDeveloping color palettes and material finishes for productsDesigning the overall user experience and functionality of products
Skills & CredentialsColor theory, material science, CAD skillsUser experience, prototyping, visual design
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, manufacturing settingsDesign agencies, tech companies, startups
Industry UsageFashion, consumer electronics, automotiveTech, consumer goods, digital products

While both roles involve creative design, the Color Materials Designer specializes in color and material development, whereas the Product Designer focuses on the overall user experience and product functionality. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What job categories do people searching Color Materials Designer jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Color Materials Designer jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Color Materials Designer jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Color Materials Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Color Materials Designer job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,987 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Color & Material Designer

Ford Motor Company

Dearborn, MI • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Ford Motor Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 525 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 45 rated automakers


Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.


Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part ofFord Design, you'll be at the cutting edge of Ford's most strategically critical work, designing people and society's needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences. 

Join our Color & Material team to lead design for current and future customers of the Ford brands product line up, including Battery Electric Vehicle, Commercial vehicles, Trucks, Compact trucks, Icons, Passenger vehicle/utilities, Luxury, and Emerging Markets.


In this position... 

Our Color & Material Designer creates, curates, and delivers Color, Material and Finish (CMF) solutions that influence and enhance the current automotive landscape. This role is responsible in specifying all CMF applications on the exterior and interior of the vehicles that bring a distinct look and experience to the automobile.

This position will be located in Dearborn, MI and will be in office 4 days/week.
What you'll do...

  • Creates, curates, and delivers Color, Material and Finish (CMF) solutions and specifies all CMF applications on the exterior and interior of the vehicles.
  • Ideate and create overall CMF design using concepts that embody a creative narrative, advanced functionality, and innovative user experience.
  • Ensure integration of complex CMF into the overall vehicle design and alignment with cross-functional teams across all stages of design.
  • Collaborate with external vendors and internal teams to translate new designs into visual samples to validate feasibility and functionality.
  • Partner with teammates in analysis of future consumer trends to identify brand relevant CMF narratives that inform cutting-edge CMF design solutions.
  • Develop digital and physical CMF presentations that embody the creative narrative and accurately depict design intent.
  • Supports all program timing, ensuring program and project deliverables are met within the program targets.  

You'll have...  

  • Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline.
  • Minimum 2 year of related work experience with a Master's degree or 5 years of related work experience with a Bachelor's degree.
  • Automotive CMF Design experience is required
  • 3D visualization skills
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse disciplines.
  • Highly collaborative and proactive both internally and externally.
  • Ability to effectively communicate in a wide range of formats for presenting future design strategies.
  • Knowledge of the Colors and Materials design process.
  • Must be self-motivated, adaptable, flexible, and able to multi-task.
  • Demonstrated understanding of color theory (hue, value, chroma, etc.).
  • Proficient in Adobe Suit tools (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator, VRED) and Microsoft Suit tools (i.e. PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Experience leveraging generative AI tools to accelerate early-stage design ideation.
  • Demonstrated capability in strategy creation and stewarding, with the ability to guide long-term design visions from initial concept through to successful implementation.
  • Knowledge of materials innovation and emerging technologies.
  • Proven experience in color development.
  • Strong capability in trend-based research and forecasting, with the ability to synthesize insights from into actionable CMF strategies.
  • Portfolio of your work is required 

Even better, you may have...

  • Master's Degree (preferred) in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline
  • Expertise and knowledge of 3D prototyping, property builds, etc.
  • Working level knowledge of fabrics and trims associated with the development process. 

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!


As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:


Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage

Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more

Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more

Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases

Tuition assistance

Established and active employee resource groups

Paid time off for individual and team community service

A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day

Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.


This position is a salary grade 6-8 and ranges from $74,300-$166,200.


Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here:https://fordcareers.co/GSR

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.


#LI-Hybrid #DesignTeam #LI-LS1


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