How to get into product design

To get into product design, you need to get an education in design or a related field, put together a design portfolio, and seek out internships or entry-level roles. Here are some details on these steps and others you can take to get into product design:

• Get an education in design or a related field

Most product design positions, or related roles, require you to have an educational background in this area. Some common degrees you might think about obtaining, include:

• Product design

• Industrial design

• Graphic design

It should be noted that many different colleges and universities have product design programs.

• Put together a design portfolio

To break in, you need to develop a strong and impressive design portfolio, and you don't need to be in the professional world to do this. You can use sample works from school projects, personal projects, or freelance opportunities to display your skills in product design. These should highlight your attention to detail and creativity.

• Seek out internships or entry-level roles

A good place to start when trying to get into this field is internship programs and entry-level roles. Try to obtain positions like these to get hands-on experience in the industry, build your expertise and skills, and network with professionals.

• Develop and hone your technical skills

Product design often requires a lot of technical skills, you would benefit to learn several different kinds of software programs as well. Examples include:

• CAD programs

• Adobe Creative Suite

• 3-D printing programs

There are online courses and free tutorials to get you started in this area.

• Network

Use social media and professional career sites to reach out and make contact with product design professionals and companies. This can help you build a contact base and sometimes lead to job opportunities. You can also seek out industry-related events.