Developing your design skills

Product design courses combine a number of theoretical and practical activities within the curriculum. These include research, concept development, technical and manufacturing knowledge, creativity, presentation, and communication skills. Alongside the academic and technical knowledge developed during your studies, you should also gain other valuable skills.

Over the years designers have proved remarkably adept at constantly evolving their practice and skill sets to adapt to the changing needs of industry. This process has accelerated as we move away from an age of mass production to one of mass customization, where manufacturers tailor production to satisfy individual tastes. Designers are now set the task of stimulating and meeting ever more sophisticated and complex consumer demands, and the skills traditionally perceived to guarantee success are arguably in danger of becoming outdated.

Given the impact that design can have on profit margins, it is unsurprising that industry has become increasingly vocal in demanding that academia produces design students who have the following attributes and skills.

Personal attributes

• An inquisitive nature and an ability to demonstrate intellectual curiosity.
• Self-motivation and drive.
• Empathy with clients/consumers.
• Creative spark.
• An “eye” for good design.
• Curiosity and passion for design.
• Consider the skills developed through your other activities, such as volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, and membership of societies.

Design skills

• Strong research, visual, and manipulative skills.
• Ability to be realistic in their ideas.
• Good communication skills—visual, verbal and written.
• Basic drawing skills—freehand, measured and technical.
• Core software skills—two-dimensional packages such as Photoshop and Illustrator, and three-dimensional packages such as Solidworks, Rhino and 3D Studio.
• Knowledge of research, management, and marketing methods and techniques.
• Organizational skills.

Workplace skills

• Ability to articulate ideas.
• Ability to take criticism.
• Team-working skills.
• Ability to work to deadlines.

“To apply for a research role in our design studio, you’d need skills such as electronic prototyping, CAD for circuit boards and RP machines, carpentry and other making skills, and software prototyping. You need to be able to work in a group of people from different backgrounds, have presentation and communication skills, and an enthusiasm for writing and talking about your practice.”

Tobie Kerridge, product design researcher

Professionalism

The role of a product designer carries a set of professional responsibilities; these have been codified by a number of trade associations and organizations that attempt to promote the profession and regulate and control their members’ design practice for the benefit of industry and the public. The Chartered Society of Designers is the largest international professional body for designers. The Society exists to promote concern for the sound principles of design in all areas in which design considerations apply, to further design practice, and to encourage the study of design techniques for the benefit of the community.