Product designers have a huge influence on the form, function and style of many of the objects we use in our daily lives – everything from kettles to telephones to televisions – as well as creating much more specialist products, such as medical equipment.
Individual designers often focus on a particular area, such as consumer electronics, automotive design or indeed medical equipment, but many of the product designer’s skills are transferable between projects and products.
As well as the requisite 3D design abilities, product designers need to have a broad understanding of other important factors such as ergonomics, materials, manufacturing processes, branding, marketing, lifestyles, trends and so on. Much of this is learnt on the job by working to design briefs for different clients, but it is worth gaining as broad a view of manufacturing, technology and consumer markets as possible in order to impress potential employers.
Nick Talbot, a director at design company Seymourpowell, explains: ‘We still look for people who can communicate an idea quickly, accurately, imaginatively and with an eye for something that is proportionally beautiful. But there also needs to be a level of technical understanding of manufacturing processes – people need to be able to explain how you will make something, however beautiful the idea. It is good to have a feeling of the reality of supply chains, which can have a profound effect on whether a project makes it to manufacture. Then there’s the context of real people – an insight into how people live their lives and use things. Finally, an understanding or awareness of branding and marketing techniques is also very helpful.’
Qualifications
Most employers will expect candidates to be qualified to a degree, foundation degree or higher national diploma (HND) level. For more general information on how the different levels and types of qualifications work see the Educational & Learning section of Directgov.
There are different ways to study product design. It can be included as a component part of a broader design course, but there are also many specific product design courses. It is also possible to focus on a particular area of study, such as sport product design, or to learn about a particular technical strand of product design, such as engineering, innovation, manufacturing, technology or electronics. There are also courses in product design management. And further specialisation is possible through postgraduate study.
All foundation degree, HND and degree courses are listed on the UCAS website, along with entry requirements and course descriptions. Different courses and institutions have different focuses and reputations, so look carefully to make sure you are picking the one that is most appropriate to you. To search for a postgraduate course use UCAS’ dedicated postgraduate site UKPASS.
Because it is important for product designers to understand how industry and manufacturing influence the design process work experience will be very valuable. Some sandwich degrees have time working in industry built into their structure, but it is a good idea to approach product design consultancies (or companies with in-house design departments) that operate in your field of interest and try to secure some time there. Make sure you have a portfolio which demonstrates visualisation skills, conceptual ability and an awareness of production and manufacturing processes and costs.
Related roles
Product designers work with many other disciplines which are often closely connected to the product development process. On the research side, for example, designers might employ people with qualifications in ethnographic research, ergonomics, semiotics or even psychology to inform their design processes. Materials and technology specialists also play a crucial part in product development, particular in innovation.
Some people train specifically to specialise in a particular area, but most people will carry an undergraduate level of study in product design to underpin any later specialisation.
Related areas of study include:
- Industrial design
- Automotive design
- Model making
- Ergonomics
- Product design management
- Product design innovation
- Product design engineering
- Product design manufacturing
- Product design technology
- Furniture design
- Cabinet making
Work, skills and salaries
As a rough guideline, expect starting salaries for a product designer to be around £19,000, rising to between £30,000 and £40,000 for experienced designers and up to £50,000 and beyond for senior, established and successful product designers.
Most of the product designer’s time is spent in the design studio, although there will be travel to visit clients (often globally), to research different market territories and to liaise with manufacturers.
In addition to the common tasks of the designer – such as developing and interpreting briefs, understanding a client’s business and producing and presenting ideas – a job in product design is likely to include some or all of the following tasks and functions:
- developing concepts with a strong idea of how they might be produced
- sketching, modelling and prototyping ideas, physically and digitally
- understanding and selecting different materials, their costs and properties
- understanding, selecting and implementing different production methods
- testing and reiterating designs, possibly through user-testing
- working on a strategic level with clients (which may or may not lead to finished products)
- ability to manage multiple projects with multiple stages, including budgeting and costing
- good communication and teamwork skills
Increasingly, product and industrial designers work with clients in an early-stage strategic or advisory capacity, exploring potential business opportunities, untapped markets and new product innovations. Nick Talbot at Seymourpowell explains:
‘We tend to look at a much bigger picture now, rather than always answering a very buttoned-down brief such as “This box needs to look pretty, reduce costs and get through manufacturing and distribution around the world”. There are still these basic industrial design projects, but often clients almost want the brief to be written for them now, so it’s more about understanding how people are living their lives, what’s relevant, what technologies are appropriate and then developing a clear direction for a product from there. At the same time, our designers have to be current enough with the brass tacks of manufacturing processes; even if we don’t end up designing something ourselves, we have to understand a client’s manufacturing requirements.’
Further training
There are four design-related national vocational qualifications (NVQs) – work-related qualifications based on the National Occupational Standards for design, created by Creative & Cultural Skills. These include: NVQ Level 2 in Design Support, Level 3 in Design and Level 4 in Design Management. For more information see the website of awarding body Edexcel.
Ongoing professional training can also be beneficial in many areas of design activity and organisations such as D&AD, the Design Business Association (DBA) and the Chartered Society of Designers provide professional training courses, as do many universities and colleges.
For more general information about continuous professional development and skills see the Training for Designers section of this website.
Further links
British Design Innovation (BDI)
www.britishdesigninnovation.org
A trade organisation for industrial designers, service designers and innovation professionals.
Chartered Society of Designers
www.csd.org.uk
The professional body for designers with a royal charter to support professional design practice.
Design Business Association (DBA)
www.dba.org.uk
A trade association for UK design businesses.
Creative Choices
www.creative-choices.co.uk
An online service providing tools and information for individuals and businesses to develop in the creative industries and cultural sector.
Creative & Cultural Skills
www.ccskills.org.uk
The Sector Skills Council for advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing and the visual arts.