Product designer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree to get into this career. Useful subjects include:

• design
• product design
• industrial product design
• engineering

You could also do a course covering a particular industry, which has design options. Examples include automotive engineering and furniture design.

Getting work experience during your studies can improve your job prospects.

Your university careers service can help you to find suitable placements, internships and year in industry opportunities.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do an engineering product design and development degree apprenticeship.

This typically takes 60 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and academic study at an approved university.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• understanding of technology, materials and manufacturing methods
• analytical thinking skills
• persistence and determination
• thinking and reasoning skills
• complex problem-solving skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to read English
• the ability to work on your own
• active listening skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• operations analysis skills
• maths skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Product designers create new products and improve existing ones.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• discuss what your client wants
• investigate how existing products work or how services are used
• develop ideas and make initial sketches or outline plans
• decide on suitable materials or resources
• use computer design software to produce detailed blueprints
• make samples or working models, known as prototypes
• test and refine designs

Location : You could work in a workshop, in a creative studio or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience, you could progress to senior designer, then creative director.

You could also move into project management or design management.