Product design is a specialised discipline within the design sphere, focusing specifically on the creation of physical or digital items and solutions.
Product designers try to solve real problems for real people by using empathy and knowledge of their prospective customers’ habits, behaviours, frustrations, needs, and wants. They work to ensure that the products are made to achieve the best user experience, meet relevant laws and regulations and drive sales or meet the required business function.
Postgraduates in product design can explore several study pathways, ranging from furniture design to human factors in cyber security, or product design engineering.
There are over 60 postgraduate design courses at more than 30 universities across the UK.
What to expect
You’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject like product design, furniture design, architecture or graphic design.
Modules vary from course to course but often include topics like design thinking, digital technologies, product development, materials and manufacturing and business and enterprise.
Design related career options are wide ranging, from commercial product design to private aerospace engineering design, web design or design research.