Product Designer

Also known as:

Designer, Product
Industrial Designer
Three-Dimensional Product Designer

Introduction

Product designers create designs for three-dimensional objects ranging from domestic products such as kettles, hairdryers and washing machines, to industrial appliances.

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Work Activities

Product designers create designs for manufactured, three-dimensional products. They are interested both in the aesthetic aspects of the product (the way it looks) and in its purpose, the materials used, costs, technical specifications and methods of production. The type of products they design can range from domestic appliances such as radios, television sets and food processors, to large industrial machine tools.

Working to a brief, the designer carries out detailed research before producing a series of drawings and sketches that can be refined and modified to create a model or prototype. If this is accepted, the designer can make further changes to the design before turning it into a final working drawing for production staff to follow. Throughout the process, wide use is made of appropriate computer software and computer-aided design (CAD).

Designers may specialise in the more aesthetic aspects of the work or in the more technological aspects. This will be affected by the type of qualification they have taken: BA degrees tend to focus more on the aesthetic aspects, while BSc, BEng and MEng degrees tend to focus on the technical and engineering aspects. In addition, some designers specialise in one design material, such as metal, plastic or wood or in a specific type of product, such as automotive, consumer goods or furniture.

Product designers may begin as design assistants, improving their design skills before becoming design managers or consultants. They work closely with design and production engineers, who offer technical advice and help turn design ideas into plans and working models. They also work with marketing managers, who brief the designer on the type of person or audience they want the product to appeal to.

Freelance product designers may have administrative duties as well as their usual design responsibilities. These may include arranging meetings with clients or potential employers, negotiating contracts, and marketing products.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a product designer, you must be creative and imaginative and have good practical art and design skills. Your drawings need to be clear, precise and well presented. Designers make wide use of computer-aided design (CAD) systems to help them in this process.

You also need good communication skills, as you will spend a lot of time in discussions and meetings with both clients and colleagues. You must be able to explain and demonstrate your ideas to people without a design or technical background.

It is important that you are flexible and adaptable in your approach; you may have to alter your design to suit the budget and the needs of the client. You must also be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

You need good eyesight and normal colour vision.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for product designers vary with the industry and responsibilities.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Product designers earn in the range of £18,000 - £21,500 a year, rising to £28,000 - £35,000. Higher earners can make around £42,000 a year.

Product designers work a basic 39-hour week, Monday to Friday. Working hours for self-employed designers may be irregular, depending on how much work they have. However, in both cases, late finishes and weekend work may be required from time to time, especially as deadlines approach.

Employers throughout the UK are large manufacturing companies and design consultancies. Some experienced designers work on a freelance basis.

Consultancy and fixed-term contract work may be available for experienced designers.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained as an assistant in a design studio or workshop or in a design consultancy are valued. Experience in related fields, such as advertising or marketing, is also useful. Commercial awareness and an understanding of the industry you wish to work is an advantage.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

The Open University offers a Diploma in Design and Innovation by distance learning.

Universities and colleges of higher education (HE) will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements, especially those with experience in arts, crafts or design. You should check the admissions policy of individual universities and HE colleges.

To enter this work or relevant courses, you will normally need to have a portfolio of work showing your creative ability.

• 45% of people in occupations such as product designer are self-employed.
• 22% work part-time.
• 5% have flexible hours.
• 0% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy or waste management.