Finding a job
Product design
Careers and occupations within the product design sector are numerous and varied. Some areas you could get involved in include: automotive, furniture, ceramic design and/or manufacturing; creating prototypes, modelling, testing and/or manufacturing products for the industrial and domestic market; or designing interactive facilities and equipment for the public or emergency services - so some thought as to which area(s) you are particularly interested in will help you to target your job search.
Who employs product design graduates?
- Car manufacturers
- Industrial and domestic manufacturers
- Point-of-sale designers
- Retailers
Useful websites to help you start your job search
Listed below are examples of sites you can use to help with your search.
- CW Jobs - A recruitment website which enables job-seekers to search and apply for jobs throughout the UK and Ireland.
- Gradcracker - A job site dedicated to STEM recruitment, including a range of product design roles.
- graduate-jobs.com - The latest jobs, at all levels, with leading UK employers.
- Milkround - A graduate career resource which provides information on internships, placements, graduate jobs and schemes.
- Prospects - Search for graduate jobs online via the Prospects website.
- TARGETjobs - Information on job vacancies and what industry sectors you can work in.
- Total Jobs - A jobs board which allows you to search for design and manufacturing vacancies by location, job title, skill or company.
- CareersInDesign - A specialist recruiter for interior, product and furniture designers.
- Creativepool - An online networking and job search site for people working within the creative industries.
- Coroflot - A US site for industrial/product design professionals.
- Design Week Jobs - A dedicated website for UK design professionals to keep up to date with current job opportunities, from branding to graphics, furniture to exhibition design. The site covers the entire design industry.
- Dexigner - Contains a list of designers in the UK that you could approach and apply to speculatively.
- DrapersJobs - Discover a range of career opportunities, including design, production, garment technology and product development with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry.
- The Textile Institute - The professional body for people and organisations working in the textile, clothing and footwear associated industries worldwide
- Engineering Jobs - A job site which allows you to search for vacancies via job title and location.
- Just Engineers - Job site for the engineering sector. Vacancies include electrical, mechanical, design, environmental and civil engineering positions.
- New Scientist Jobs - A careers advice and job site for those interested across scientific fields, especially relevant if you are considering a role as a Technologist
- The Engineer - A recruitment site for the design, manufacturing and engineering community
- Michael Page - Online recruitment site providing product design related vacancies for professionals in sectors from fashion to technology.
- Create Select - A contract and permanent recruitment agency which works across the creative sectors.
- Adrem - A recruitment consultancy with specialism in recruiting staff within design, product design, graphics and engineering.
- Manufacturing Recruitment - A company which specialises in design, manufacturing, engineering and technical recruitment.
- Careers in Design Recruitment Ltd - A recruitment consultancy that provides the Interior, Product and Furniture Design Industries with a specialist recruitment service.
Further information
If you need more information why not check out some of the resources below to help you to research a sector in more depth.
- Chartered Society of Designers - A recognised body for the design profession.
- Design Council - An enterprising charity which works to improve people's lives through the use of strategic design.
- Institute of Manufacturing - The Institute of Manufacturing is a professional body for the manufacturing industry.
- Make UK - an organisation for manufacturers in the UK; championing work across British industries, including defence, aerospace, space and security sectors.
- Institute of the Motor Trade - Provides careers information and resources for those interested in the motor industry.
- The Design Trust - An online business school for designers and makers.
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Creative Network South (CNS) - Working to develop the creative industries in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Their prime focus is the attraction and retention of creative talent.
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CreateBritain - Create a Profile for peers, fans and business opportunities to find you. The site brings many aspects of the creative industries together into an easy to navigate, highly relevant space.
Recruitment agencies
Recruitment consultants work with individuals to help them find suitable work to match their skills. Agency Central is the UK's leading recruitment agency directory. An advanced search and filter system finds the agencies which match your needs.
Are you looking for a role in Hampshire? Our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy can help!
If you're in the final year of your degree, you can register for support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy. They work with over 3,000 employers in the local area to place our students into fantastic graduate careers.
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Learn how to send a speculative application
Start your own business
Freelancing is another career path for those in product design. Our Student Startup team can offer further support with freelancing and starting your own business.
