Product Designer
What is the work like?
Product designers determine how many of the items we use in our daily lives look and work.
As a product designer, you would typically specialise in a particular product, based on your training or experience. Examples include items as varied as mobile phones and vacuum cleaners.
Whether you work on a completely new product or an existing one, your aim would be to make sure the product is:
- easy to use
- efficient
- cost effective to produce
- attractive in appearance.
This involves looking carefully at what is required, researching and developing ideas, and coming up with a design.
Your key tasks would include:
- taking details of what is needed (known as the 'brief ') from the client
- developing ideas and making initial sketches
- deciding on suitable materials
- using computer design software to produce detailed final drawings
- making samples or working models
- testing the design
- finding solutions for any problems with the design.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You need to be able to show employers that you have creative skills, technical knowledge and the ability to work to a design brief. This will involve presenting a portfolio of your design work, and usually also having a relevant qualification at degree, foundation degree or BTEC HND level.
You could choose a qualification in product design, or a more general design qualification that offers product design as an option. You could also choose to focus more on technical and engineering aspects of design, or on specific areas, such as furniture, automotive or consumer goods.
You should check with colleges and universities to make sure the course covers your areas of interest.
To search for colleges and universities offering art and design foundation courses, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.
The design field is very competitive, and opportunities are often found by word of mouth, so it will be important to develop your contacts, for example by unpaid work experience or by joining professional organisations like the Chartered Society of Designers.
It is worthwhile researching companies whose products match your style, and making speculative applications. Entering design competitions and exhibitions can also be a good way of getting noticed by employers.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working in product design you could complete NVQ Level 2 in Design Support, Level 3 in Design or Level 4 in Design Management, depending on your responsibilities.
You could develop your skills in specialised areas of design by doing a postgraduate diploma or degree.
It will be important to keep up to date with developments in computer software throughout your career. You can do this by attending short courses at colleges or with private providers, or you may have the opportunity to do in-house training arranged by your employer.
Joining professional bodies such as the Chartered Society of Designers would be a good way of accessing advice, opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) and industry contacts.
Where can I go for more information?
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Newly-qualified designers can earn from around £17,000 to £25,000 a year.
- Experienced product designers can earn between £30,000 and £40,000.
- Senior product designers can earn up to £50,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work from 9am to 5pm, but might have to work longer hours to meet deadlines.
Although you would be based in a studio, office or workshop, you could also spend time in the factory where the items you design are made.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to express your ideas through drawings, 3-D models and computer-aided designs
- an understanding of different materials and production methods
- the ability to plan and organise a project through several stages
- the ability to work out costings and budgets
- good communication skills
- the ability to write clear, concise reports
- a creative approach to solving problems
- the ability to work as part of a team and share ideas with colleagues.
What opportunities are there?
You could find work in manufacturing companies as part of an in-house design team. Alternatively, you could be employed by a design consultancy and work for a variety of companies. You could also work freelance.
With experience, you may be able to progress to senior designer, then creative director. You could move into project or design management, perhaps after completing an MBA or a postgraduate qualification, such as project management.
Another option would be to move into the ergonomics field by completing a postgraduate qualification. See the Ergonomist profile for information.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Design Week
mad.co.uk
Design Jobs
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