How to become a product designer: Michael's story

Meet Michael, 26, from Ayrshire. He's a product designer who has set up his own business designing golf products. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

My love of golf and interest in design just came together.

What is your job?

I run a start-up company. I design and source manufacturing of various golf products and accessories. These are all made in Scotland and it’s my job to develop the designs, have them made, market them and sell them to a global market.

What do you do day-to-day?

I’m constantly developing new designs, because it’s a very competitive market and there’s always a demand for something new. I go over my emails, talk to suppliers and customers and work out what orders I have. I source manufacturers for my products, do the finishing touches, prepare them for packaging and send them to the customers.

Do you use any soft skills in your job?

I use a lot of technical, as well as artistic skills. I need to problem-solve, and communicate well as I deal with multiple suppliers and speak to customers as well. Graphic Design, Art and Design and Maths are the core subjects that help me with the design and engineering skills that I use.

What subjects did you study at school?

At secondary school I did Maths, Graphic Design, Art and Design, English and Physics. Then I did my Highers in the same subjects. At university I studied Product Design Engineering, but I focused more on the manufacturing engineering side. I am doing a PhD as well.

Is this the job you always wanted to do?

I went to university and did Manufacturing Engineering and thought I would work in a company. My university promoted entrepreneurship. I never thought it was something I could do, but I have built my skills. My love of golf and interest in design just came together.

Top tips

• Don’t be afraid to create your own job, because you can do that
• Think of something you would love to do and just focus on that.

Find out more on the National Careers Service website about the role of product designers. Scroll down to find out what you could expect if you want to run your own business like Michael.

What to expect if you want to be a business owner

The salary and working hours when you own a business can vary enormously but what's most important is that you work hard and love what you do.

Working for yourself looks different for each person and each business, but in general it means you:

• run your own business and are responsible for its success
• can decide how, when and where you do your work
• charge an agreed, fixed price for your work
• sell goods or services to make a profit
• can hire people at your own expense to help you or to do the work for you.

You can be both employed and self-employed at the same time. You can work for your employer during the day, for example, and run your own business in the evenings and at weekends. It’s important to contact HMRC for advice if you’re not sure if you’re self-employed.

You can get help with setting up or developing your business, through the government’s business support services, for example, for advice about tax or about how to find funding to start your business.

This information is a guide (source: GOV.UK).

For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).

Work experience in your area
Find work experience placements with Workfinder.

Tips and advice
Help with interviews, writing a CV and all things work experience related.