Product designer

Product design

Products designers improve existing products, engineer solutions, and create new products for use in all aspects of life.

What do product designers do?

Product designers work on new and existing products. They may have to carry out research and alter designs to improve current products or create new products all together. A product designer may have a brief to follow and will have to go through lots of initial design phases and testing before a final design is agreed on. Product designers think about what problem their design is solving, how easy it is to use, how does it look and how will it be manufactured.

What makes product design different?

As a product designer you could work in almost any area of our lives: sports equipment, toys, cooking equipment and new tech products are just a few examples of the areas you could work in. All products must be designed, tested, engineered and improved. Most product designers choose to work in a specific area they are most interested in. Being a product designer is a creative job role which is something many people look for in a job. 

Working life

What is it like being a product designer?

As a product designer you’ll have to use art and design skills to develop initial product ideas - this may mean a mixture of sketching and using software to create blueprints.  You may have to make some models for testing so you will need to use some basic hand skills to cut, shape and mould your prototypes. You will have to make decisions as to what materials you will use in your design. Many companies will look to reduce environmental impact by choosing more sustainable materials, so you may be involved in this. 

How do product designers contribute to society?

Because products designers work in almost every sector they can have a big impact on society and our everyday lives. It depends which area you choose to work and specialise in. You could help design new medical equipment or even work on products which reduce our impact on the environment. Product designers create or improve a product which solves a problem, the area you work in would be up to you.

The future

Where could product design take me?

There are multiple routes for you to progress after you’ve gained experience in a product designer role. Eventually you could look to progress to become a senior designer, after that you could progress to become a creative director. Or you could choose to progress into a management position and manage a team of designers. 

Become a product designer

Routes into this job:

• Apprenticeship
• University

What qualifications do I need to become a product designer?

You could get a degree or higher national diploma in a relevant subject:

• product design
• 3D design
• spatial design
• engineering
• industrial product design

Work experience

Consider a design related work placement as part of your degree - some courses offer a one-year placement in industry as part of your degree course. You could do an apprenticeship in design engineering after A levels to gain some practical experience and knowledge.