What careers can you do with a Product Design degree?

Your guide to creative and technical careers related to a degree in Product Design.

09 December 2025

Nathan Spiers, BA (Hons) Product Design

A Product Design degree equips graduates with a strong combination of skills. This includes creativity, engineering, problem-solving, and user-focused thinking.

It prepares you for so much more than designing products. The strong technical and creative skills developed make Product Design graduates are highly sought after across manufacturing, technology, retail and creative industries.

In this guide, we explore common career paths taken by Product Design graduates and how you can turn innovative ideas into successful professional projects.

Jobs for Product Design students

Product and industrial design careers

These roles focus on designing physical products from concept through to manufacture. Graduates in core product design careers  will often lead creative development.

  • Product Designer: create functional and attractive products that consumers and businesses use every day. You'll be developing concepts, drawing up technical specs, creating and testing prototypes and working with manufacturers.
  • Industrial Designer: work on mass-produced goods such as home appliances, electronics and vehicles.
  • Furniture and Lighting Designer: specialise in designing bespoke furniture or lighting for residential and commercial spaces. These roles combine product design expertise with interior design skills.
  • Medical and Healthcare Product Designer: develop equipment for healthcare environments, working closely with clinicians and regulatory bodies.
  • Smart Product Designer: create connected products that integrate products with apps and digital systems.
  • Wearable Technology Designer: work on smart clothing, health monitors and sports technology.
  • Assistive Technology Designer: design products for people with disabilities, with a focus on improving independence and quality of life.
Dana Abu Ghadib, MA Product Design, UCA Canterbury

Creative and applied product design careers

In these roles, graduates specialise in specific areas such as visual design, materials or user experience. These careers exist to support and enhance product development.

  • Design Visualiser / CAD Designer: produce detailed technical drawings, 3D models and renderings that communicate design ideas.
  • Prototype Technician / Model Maker: build physical models and working prototypes that can be tested by users. Prototypes are developed using traditional and digital fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, CNC machining, woodworking, metalworking and rapid prototyping.
  • Materials and Sustainability Specialists: support environmentally responsible design by researching sustainable, innovative and ethical materials for product development
  • Packaging Designer: create functional, attractive packaging that protects products and reflects brand identity. This role blends knowledge of graphic design, consumer psychology and product design.
  • User Experience (UX) Designer: focus on how users interact with physical and digital products, undertaking research to enhance the usability of a product.

Manufacturing, engineering and technical careers

Many Product Design graduates work closely with manufacturing and engineering teams to bring designs into production.

  • Design Engineer: combine creative design with mechanical and technical problem-solving skills to develop functional and manufacturable products.
  • Production and Manufacturing Coordinator: manage the transition from prototype to mass production, overseeing suppliers, quality control and logistics.
  • Quality Assurance Specialist: test products for safety, durability and compliance with industry standards.
  • Tooling and Production Technician: create moulds, tooling systems and production equipment to be used in the manufacturing process.
Aakanksha Kothari, MA Product Design, UCA Farnham

Commercial and business-focused careers

Product Design graduates are well suited to business-oriented roles that involve managing projects, clients and commercial strategy.

  • Design Consultant: advise companies on product development and user research. 
  • Product Manager: oversee products through the entire lifecycle; from development to launch, as well as analysing market performance.
  • Design Project Manager: oversee projects from planning to completion, ensuring deadlines are met, budgets are balanced and quality meets the required standard.
  • Design Sales Consultant: work in showrooms and studios, combining design knowledge with customer service and sales expertise.
  • Licensing and Product Development Manager: focus on developing licensed products for major brands, working across design, marketing and manufacturing.
Mahima Ananthraj, MA Product Design, UCA Farnham

More advice for Product Design applicants 

Related courses

Undergraduate

Postgraduate