Product design

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• CAD technician
• Colour technologist
• Exhibition designer
• Furniture designer
• Interior and spatial designer
• Product designer
• Textile technologist
• UX designer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advertising art director
• Automotive engineer
• Furniture conservator/restorer
• Graphic designer
• Materials engineer
• Procurement manager
• Product manager
• Production designer, theatre/television/film
• Stylist

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Relevant work experience is important for building your portfolio and developing a useful network of contacts. Look for product design consultancies, in-house design teams or independent designers in your area and ask if you can complete a placement or work shadowing during your studies. In some cases, a placement could lead to a graduate role.

Look out for product and industrial design competitions, exhibitions and live briefs that you can take part in. Anything that strengthens your portfolio will help. You'll need to demonstrate the breadth of your work, your design process (research, ideation, prototyping and testing) and any specialist interests.

Keep up to date with trends and developments by reading design journals and following studios and professional bodies online, particularly around sustainability, materials innovation, accessibility and emerging technologies.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

There are employment opportunities in both the private and public sector. Private sector work could for example involve designing manufactured products for domestic and industrial markets, consumer electronics, furniture or packaging. Public sector work may involve improving services and environments, including interactive facilities, such as public information points and equipment used by services such as the police, fire and ambulance.

Employers include:

• industrial and domestic product manufacturers
• car manufacturers
• point-of-sale designers
• retailers.

Self-employment, or employment within a design consultancy, is also possible. Find out more about how to start a business.

Find information on employers in creative arts and design, engineering and manufacturing, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

A degree in product design or industrial design develops your creative design ability and gives you the technical skills to use production methods and materials effectively.

It also equips you with skills valued by many employers, such as:

• presentation and storytelling skills
• communication skills
• the ability to work to deadlines
• commercial and entrepreneurial awareness
• problem-solving skills
• the ability to use your initiative and work independently
• teamwork skills
• visual and spatial awareness
• user-centred design and research skills
• general and specialist IT skills, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and digital prototyping tools

Further study

It's possible to take a Masters degree in industrial or product design. Specialist courses, such as product design and innovation, sustainable design, UX/service design, and product design and development management are also available. Another option is postgraduate study to specialise in a connected area, such as interior, graphic or exhibition design.

You can complete professional qualifications with relevant industry bodies, or study for a business-related qualification like a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or an MSc in project management.

To find a course that interests you, search postgraduate courses in product design.

What do product design graduates do?

The top five jobs held by product design graduates employed in the UK include design occupations (17%), CAD, drawing and architectural technicians (7%) and graphic and multimedia designers (6%), engineering professionals (6%) and interior designers (4%).

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.

Find out more

• Creative & Cultural Skills - The Sector Skills Council for the creative industry has careers advice and details of paid internships, apprenticeships and other training.