How to Choose Your Product Design Degree Pathway

Product design is a fantastic career choice for detail-oriented people who are passionate about problem-solving and user experience. You should also be interested in research, critical thinking, and design technology and software.

Students must have at least a bachelor's degree to break into product design successfully. LIS offers an interdisciplinary degree programme to help students gain critical skills in key areas. With this qualification, you can quickly launch a product design career or progress into any other field.

This guide will explore excellent degrees for product designers and the steps to becoming a product designer. 

Table of Contents 

• What Is Product Design? 
• Why a Degree is Important for Product Designers
• Great Degree Programmes for Aspiring Product Designers
• Do You Need to Complete a Certificate Course for Product Design?
• Planning Your Product Design Career Path
• How to Choose the Right Degree for Your Product Design Career

Simply put, product designers create new products for a business or modify existing ranges. An example of an industry leader is Apple, whose innovative products were brought to life with the help of famous product designer Jony Ive. These professionals work on design projects, combining their design thinking, research and prototyping capabilities with the work of marketing and engineering teams to develop products that offer a great user experience.

Product designers rely on design research methods to determine which products will compete in the marketplace, attract targeted buyers, and fulfil their expectations. Ultimately, this makes product designers problem solvers, helping businesses drive revenue through strategic product design.

Typically, these are the day-to-day responsibilities of a product designer:

• Liaise with clients to create design briefs and understand project goals.
• Collaborate with marketing teams and engineering designers to ensure products meet client goals.
• Source product materials.
• Leverage design technology for prototyping and wireframing.
• Perform presentations for senior management.
• Address areas for concern and develop production methods.

A product designer degree is essential for aspiring product designers because it covers all the critical skills required for this field. These pathways teach students the core product design principles, including the soft skills they need to succeed. 

By gaining a bachelor's degree in product design, students will learn about:

• Product Manufacturing Processes
• Prototyping
• Wireframing
• Design thinking
• Art and design
• Computer-aided design
• Analysis skills

In addition to this expertise, students can gain practical experience and establish professional networks, making it easier to launch a career after graduation. 

Here are a few fantastic degree programmes for aspiring product designers, including what these pathways cover, the tuition fees, and key takeaways.

Arts and Sciences: Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods (BASc) – The London Interdisciplinary School 

The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) provides the BASc degree to equip aspiring product designers with critical interdisciplinary skills. Unlike traditional degree pathways, this programme focuses on valuable expertise that students can transfer to various fields. This includes problem-solving, critical thinking, project management, data analysis, research, and communication.

Students will complete this degree full-time for three years and work alongside diverse industry experts, such as epidemiologists, philosophers, journalists, and artists. LIS also brokers summer internships for eligible students. You can participate in an internship for at least five weeks every year to gain professional experience and establish industry connections.  

Key Curriculum:

• Qualitative Methods 1B: Explore visual language as a process through information mapping, photography, and videography. 
• Quantitative Methods 1B: Learn how to think through data, gaining practical skills in data science, statistics, and machine learning. 
• Problems 2A: Understand technological innovation, focusing on technology ethics, data studies, and critical problem-solving. 
• Capstone Project: Practise initiating and conducting an extended interdisciplinary research project based on academic conventions and communication. Students can choose to do it on a problem that they are most passionate or interested in. 

Fees:

• £9,000 / a year for home students
• £17,000 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Financial Support Bursary: Eligible students can apply for annual financial assistance between £1,000 and £7,000 to help fund their studies. 
• Income from Internships: Qualifying students who have an internship and earn at least the London Living Wage can apply for funding toward their degree programme.  
• Hardship Grants: Students who experience sudden economic challenges can apply for support. LIS awards this financial aid on a case-by-case basis. 

Key Takeaways:

• By gaining interdisciplinary skills, students can gain flexible expertise that they can use to transfer to different career paths in the future.
• Learning from various industry experts exposes students to a well-rounded understanding of critical skills.
• The summer internship programme helps learners gain real-world experience and develop industry connections. 

Product Design BSc – University of Leeds 

The University of Leeds offers a Product Design BSc, which requires three years of full-time study. This practical course focuses on human-centred design principles, critical thinking, and the latest software and technology solutions. Students can access specialist facilities and develop valuable skills working on their design projects.

Students can access a 3D printing system throughout their programme to convert their ideas into physical prototypes. They will always be guided through the development and design process, from extracting valuable user insights to creating fit, form, and function products. 

Key Curriculum:

• Engineering Materials
• Design for Manufacture for Product Designers
• Additive Manufacturing
• Design Project

Fees:

• The University of Leeds will still confirm the fees for home-fee-paying students. 
• £32,250 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Financial Hardship Fund: The University of Leeds offers this scholarship to students who face sudden economic difficulties. 
• Leeds Bursary: Eligible students can apply for this bursary and receive up to £2,000 toward their university expenses. 
• International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships: Qualifying international students can apply for a 25% fee reduction for their first academic year.

‍Key Takeaways:

• The tuition fees for international students are very high.
• There are various scholarships and bursaries available for international and UK students.
• The programme significantly focuses on practical training and allows students to develop a portfolio to showcase their skills. 

Product Design and Technology – Loughborough University

The Product Design and Technology degree at Loughborough University prepares students to become product designers. This degree requires three years of full-time study or four years with a placement. It aims to equip students with the expertise to identify product opportunities through applied research, working prototypes, manufacturing, and design. 

As this university has established many industry connections, students will have opportunities to participate in design competitions and live briefs. 

Key Curriculum:

• Mechanical Principles for Product Design
• Augmented Reality Prototyping
• Studio Product Design
• Applications of Mechanics and Electronics for Design

‍Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £29,750 / a year for international students

‍Financial Aid:

• Care Leaver Bursary: Students who qualify as care leavers can apply for £17,100 over three years. 
• Hardship Fund: Loughborough University offers a few awards for students who experience sudden economic difficulties. 
• International Scholarships: Self-funded international learners are automatically considered for this financial support. 

‍Key Takeaways:

• An extensive range of financial aid solutions is available.
• This university is rated 32nd in the world for art and design, highlighting how impressive it is to have on your resume.
• Students have opportunities to participate in competitions, allowing them to apply their skills and gain achievements before entering the workforce.

BA (Hons) Product and Industrial Design – University of the Arts London

The University of the Arts London delivers the BA (Hons) Product and Industrial Design programme for three or four years with a placement year. This full-time programme helps students gain the skills they need for product design environments, focusing on the core of user experience and adoption.

This course will teach technical, practical, and theoretical product and industrial design skill sets. You will learn how to use and apply industry tools in the studio and client-led use cases. In addition, students can opt to complete an additional year and earn a Diploma in Professional Studies. 

Key Curriculum:

• Introduction to Study in Product and Industrial Design in Higher Education: Love Product
• Immersive Design
• Design Futures
• Defining and Designing - Exploration

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £29,990 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• University Hardship Fund: Eligible students can apply for financial aid if they have a household income lower than £55,000. 
• UAL Bursaries: Qualifying home-fee-paying students can apply for bursaries of £1,400.  
• Summer Hardship Fund: Students suffering from financial difficulties can apply for financial aid, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. 

Key Takeaways:

• An extensive selection of financial aid solutions is available for UK, international, and underrepresented students and those with excellent academic achievements.
• Students can complete an extra year to advance their skills and knowledge.
• This programme delivers various teaching methods, including workshops, peer-to-peer learning, guest speakers, field trips, and more. 

Product Design BSc (Hons) – University of Sussex

The Product Design BSc (Hons) at the University of Sussex is ideal for students who want to learn fundamental skills in this field. It is a full-time pathway that requires three years of study. Students will learn from design industry experts who combine expertise in design, art, environment, business, science, and technology.

There is an optional study abroad year, allowing students to expand their skill sets at any of the University of Sussex's partner universities. Alternatively, you can opt for a placement year and work with real-world organisations to build your experience. 

Key Curriculum:

• Creative Research Methods for Design
• Drawing for Design
• Design for Manufacture for Product Design
• Business and Project Management

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £26,250 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• The University of Sussex still needs to publish details about the available scholarships for the next academic year. 

Key Takeaways:

• Students can expand their experience and develop industry connections through a placement year.
• This university has many partner universities abroad, so students can study in various countries.
• There is a significant emphasis on practical training, and learners can develop a portfolio throughout their studies. 

You don't need to complete a certificate course for product design if you have a bachelor's degree. However, completing courses will help you expand your skill set and show potential employers your commitment and passion for this industry.

An ideal approach is to opt for any of our online short courses at LIS and gain valuable skills in various disciplines that you can apply to any career field. This gives you the flexibility to evolve critical skills that all employers value.

You can complete any or all three of our online courses:

• Risk and Reputation: Learn about the basics of leadership through interdisciplinary methods. Understand the role that online communities play in today's media-driven world. 
• Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Gain a deeper understanding of how systems thinking transforms sustainability. Leverage resources and tools to help organisations make sustainable decisions. 
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Students will understand valuable leadership skills and how to solve complex problems and manage various departments. 

These courses will help aspiring product designers stand out in the job market and equip them with valuable expertise for a successful career in any industry. 

Planning your product design career path is imperative to ensure you land a job after graduation. 

Here are the skills you need for this field and the job outlook. 

What Skills Do You Need for Product Design?

Industry professionals must have competitive skills to win over potential employers and gain a lucrative job. This job market is constantly evolving, and the best way to stay ahead of it is to ensure you highlight the following core competencies on your resume:

• Communication: Throughout the design process, product designers must deploy communication skills to effectively liaise with clients, engineers, and marketing and sales teams. 
• Research: Professionals must know how to conduct in-depth research on buyer and market trends to ensure they develop a product that competes in the marketplace. They should also understand common pain points with products and how they solve them. 
• Presentation Techniques: Product designers must create presentations to showcase their design briefs and plans. You should be able to develop cohesive branded presentations and highlight why your strategy is effective. 
• Prototyping: An integral aspect of product design is creating iterations and testing their functionality and user interaction. This allows product designers to evaluate a product's performance before developing it. 
• Software Proficiency: Professionals must use various software solutions for design and prototyping. They should understand how to navigate tools like Figman, Adobe Suite, AutoCAD and Sketch. 
• Interaction Design: Designers must have this skill because it relates to how users interact with products. Product designers must create products that satisfy user expectations and offer a seamless experience. 

What is the Average Salary for Product Design?

The average salary for product designers in the UK is £47,000 per year. Entry-level professionals earn approximately £36,000 annually, while experienced designers can secure positions paying £60,000 yearly. 

Of course, the more skills and experience a professional has, the more likely they will earn a higher salary.

Will Product Design Jobs Grow?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms that product design-related jobs grew by 2% between 2023 and 2024. While this job growth rate is slow compared to other industries, the design sector contributes over £90 billion to the UK economy every year, highlighting the importance of product design professionals. 

Many professionals also go on to found their own practice or open their own design studio. 

These are the factors to consider when choosing the right product design degree pathway for your career goals. 

Practical Experience

Aspiring product designers must opt for a degree pathway that helps them develop skills for this field and create a digital portfolio. Students must learn how to apply this expertise in real-world use cases. Potential employers will need to know that your understanding of product design is further than theoretical and you understand how to solve real-world problems and apply your skills. 

Networking Opportunities

The product design job market is highly competitive, making it essential to opt for a degree pathway with networking and career support. These resources will expose you to potential employers and help you establish industry connections, making it much easier to land a job after graduation. 

Tuition Costs

Students must have sufficient funds to pay for every academic year of their degree programme. As a result, you must be realistic about what you can afford and only consider pathways that work with your budget. While there are resources available to help you fund your education, you need a strategic financial plan before you enrol. 

Financial Support 

Most students need help to afford to self-fund their education. Fortunately, many degree programmes offer financial aid, like scholarships and bursaries. Ensure you evaluate these options carefully because the more financial support you receive, the easier it will be to complete your studies. 

Study with LIS and Become a Product Designer Today

Product designers ensure companies design and develop products that satisfy user experience and achieve functionality. Students must earn a bachelor's degree to excel in this career field, and the pathways covered in this guide offer the practical and soft skills required to break into product design. 

With LIS, students can gain a wide range of interdisciplinary skills, which will allow them to progress into various careers in the future.

Our students can also participate in internships and gain real-world expertise to find a lucrative product design job.

Ready to become a product designer? Contact LIS to get started.