Product designer

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

• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• analytical thinking skills
• persistence and determination
• thinking and reasoning skills
• complex problem-solving skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

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

You could also move into project management or design management.