Options with product/industrial design
Product/industrial design courses teach theoretical and practical skills in the design area. They often combine creativity with technology and will provide you with a broad knowledge of production methods and materials.
As well as these subject-specific skills, you will also learn other transferable skills that are valued by employers in many sectors.
Examples of these skills include:
The range of skills developed on product/industrial design courses is wide and develops technical, practical and communication skills to a high level. While many enter these courses to pursue a career in design, the range of skills makes you adaptable across a wider range of commercial and public sector organisations.
Graduates should focus on continuing professional development (CPD) by keeping up to date with new software and training in other platforms whenever possible. It is important to be knowledgeable about new materials and technology. Joining a professional body will help keep graduates informed and connected.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just under 68% of product/industrial design graduates were in employment. Of these, almost 44% found jobs in arts, design, culture and sports professions and just over 10% were working as engineering professionals. A further 6% were in commercial, industrial or public sector management, while a further 4% were in technical and professional roles. Around 13% were working as retail, catering and waiting staff.
This wide variety reflects the nature of the courses, which can develop diverse skills in individuals.
Graduates from product/industrial design courses seek employment in a wide range of fields. Companies involved in the manufacture and marketing of products will require product designers, as design skills are needed in every aspect of the company’s business. As well as being involved in the research, design and manufacture of the product, these graduates are also involved in commercial aspects such as sales and marketing, and logistics and supply chain.
Both the private and public sector employ these graduates. Examples of work in the public sector could include designing interactive facilities, such as public information points and equipment used by services such as the police, fire and ambulance.
For an insight into potential employment areas, see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
Of product/industrial design students who graduated in 2011, just over 6% went on to full-time postgraduate study while a further 4% went on to study part time while working. There are some specialist Masters courses in this area including product innovation and development. Another option is to train for a profession. Teaching, for example, needs a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a Scottish Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.
For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.
