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Product Designer

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A product designer in the UK is responsible for creating and developing new products or improving existing ones, with a focus on both functionality and appearance. This role blends creativity with technical knowledge, as designers must consider how a product looks, how it works, and how it can be manufactured efficiently. Product designers often use computer-aided design (CAD) software, sketch ideas, build prototypes, and collaborate with teams such as engineers, marketers, and manufacturers. Their work can range from designing everyday consumer goods to complex technological devices. Attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to solve problems are important for this career.

Product Designer

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Product designers in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £55,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Job Openings

There are over 3,500 product design job vacancies advertised in the UK at any one time, with demand growing in technology and manufacturing sectors.

Employment Sectors

Around 60 percent of product designers in the UK work within manufacturing, digital technology, or design consultancies.

🚀 Careers in this path

Build Design Foundations

Study Art and Design

Take GCSEs or A-levels in Art, Design and Technology, or Graphic Design to gain foundational skills.

Learning basic principles of art and design will help you understand visual communication and creativity, which are essential for product design. Focus on developing your drawing, sketching, and digital design skills. Consider joining after-school clubs or online courses to build your portfolio.

Learn Digital Design Tools

Familiarise yourself with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Figma.

Most product designers use digital tools to create prototypes and mock-ups. Start with beginner tutorials and practice creating simple designs. Many free resources are available online to help you get started, and mastering these tools early will give you a head start.

Get Formal Training

Pursue Relevant Qualifications

Enrol in a university degree such as Product Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.

A degree provides technical knowledge, practical experience, and a chance to work on real design projects. Courses often include modules on design thinking, ergonomics, materials, and user experience. Some universities offer work placements with design studios or companies.

Develop a Portfolio

Create a portfolio showcasing your design projects, sketches, and prototypes.

Your portfolio is essential for applying to jobs or internships. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate creativity and problem-solving. Make sure to document your design process, from initial ideas to final outcomes, and update your portfolio regularly.

Gain Experience and Specialise

Secure Internships or Placements

Apply for work experience, internships, or placements with design agencies or product companies.

Practical experience is highly valued in product design. Look for opportunities in areas that interest you, such as digital products, consumer goods, or furniture. Internships help you build industry connections and learn from experienced designers.

Choose a Specialism

Decide if you want to focus on digital, physical, or service product design.

Product design covers a wide range of areas. You might specialise in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design for digital products, or focus on physical object design. Explore different fields through work experience to find what suits your skills and interests best.

Continue Professional Development

Stay up to date with trends and keep learning through courses, workshops, and networking.

The design world changes quickly, so continuous learning is important. Attend industry events, join professional bodies like the Chartered Society of Designers, and take courses on new tools or techniques. This will help you progress in your career and open up new opportunities.

Available Apprenticeships

Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.

Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.

The Royal Navy - Warfare Specialist (Submariner) Data Technician Apprenticeship

Royal Navy

( Added 04 Jun 2024 - 100 positions available )

Being a Warfare Specialist (Submariner), means working with some of the most advanced computer systems available to identify, track and, if required, destroy potential threats. This will involve the covert monitoring of all other vessels (surface and sub-surface, friend or foe) within range of the advanced array of different sensors onboard.

Closing date: in 8 months

Possible start date: 02 Jun 2026

The Royal Navy - Mine Warfare Specialist Data Technician Apprenticeship

Royal Navy

( Added 04 Jun 2024 - 28 positions available )

We need to make the seas safe. For our warships, for civilian ships, for everyone. And that’s where you come in. You’ll be at the heart of these missions whether they’re in a Mediterranean port, or on operations in the Persian Gulf. As a Mine Warfare Specialist you’ll lead the way for our fleet, clearing any mines in its path.

Closing date: in 8 months

Possible start date: 02 Jun 2026

Apprentice IT Support Technician

FRANK H DALE LTD

( Added 23 Sep 2024 - 1 position available )

This is an exciting opportunity to represent Frank H. Dale, a major structural steel fabricator that was founded in 1932 in the Herefordshire market town of Leominster.

Closing date: in 2 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

Apprentice Service Desk Operator (IT)

LANYON BOWDLER LLP

( Added 30 Apr 2025 - 1 position available )

This is an exciting opportunity to represent Lanyon Bowdler Law Firm, who are consistently recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK, and strive to create a happy and supportive working environment.

Closing date: in 2 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

Apprentice Digital Support Technician - REF 14822

P3 COMPUTER SERVICES LIMITED

( Added 22 May 2025 - 1 position available )

P3 Computer Services Ltd in Burnley are recruiting for an Apprentice Digital Support Technician. The successful candidate will work towards completing a Level 3 Digital Support Technician apprenticeship over the duration of 18 months.

Closing date: in 1 month

Possible start date: 29 Nov 2025

Network Cable Installer Apprentice

FMS DATA CABLING LTD

( Added 07 Jul 2025 - 2 positions available )

VQ Solutions are looking for a hardworking, determined individual to join the growing team at FMS as a Network Cable Installer. FMS have an excellent track record of training and progressing their apprentices. You will work and train on-site with their time-served engineers on national projects throughout the UK.

Closing date: in 9 days

Possible start date: 27 Oct 2025

IT Support Apprentice

HEYGATES LIMITED

( Added 29 Jul 2025 - 1 position available )

A fantastic opportunity has become available for an IT support trainee to join the team, reporting to the Head of IT. This new and challenging role will give the opportunity to work with a wide range of enterprise technologies and potential to travel to other sites in the UK. An exciting and varied role.

Closing date: in 2 months

Possible start date: 13 Dec 2025

IT Support Engineer Apprentice

BUBBLE IT SOLUTIONS LTD

( Added 12 Aug 2025 - 1 position available )

As an IT Support Engineer Apprentice at Bubble IT, you’ll be the first point of contact for customers needing technical help. You’ll gain hands-on experience resolving a range of IT issues and developing your knowledge across hardware, software, and network support.

Closing date: in 19 days

Possible start date: 10 Nov 2025

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

A Product Designer and a User Experience (UX) Designer both focus on creating user-centred products, ensuring usability and aesthetic appeal. The roles often overlap in skills related to user research, interface design, and iterative development to enhance the overall user experience.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

You could do a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate award in:

  • UX design
  • product design
  • graphic design
  • human computer interaction (HCI)
  • digital media and web design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

College

You could do a college course, which may lead on to more advanced qualifications, or help you to get a trainee position with a company.

Courses include:

  • digital media design
  • digital product design
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You may also find a Digital Accessibility Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship useful for this job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Volunteering

If you're working in an organisation that conducts user research, you could get work experience by volunteering to help in research sessions and user interviews.

You could also get involved with the online user experience community for advice and tips, and to find a mentor to help you.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to companies or go through an agency that specialises in providing digital design professionals to clients.

You'll need qualifications and relevant experience to do this.

More Information

Career tips

You'll find it useful to have:

  • knowledge of coding like HTML , CSS and JavaScript so you can build wireframes and prototypes
  • experience of using design software like Adobe Creative Suite
  • an understanding of agile project development methods

It will also help if you have a portfolio to showcase examples of your work.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a user experience (UX) designer from the User Experience Professionals' Association (UXPA) and techskills.

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