In this article, we look at the five countries to study Product design as well as the certifications, salaries, and job prospects.Â
Table of Contents
What Is Product Design?
Product design is the process of creating or developing new products or refining and improving existing products in order to meet customer needs and solve problems in society.
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Who Is A Product Designer?
A product designer is a professional who manages the design process of new or existing products in order to meet customer needs or follow trends. Furthermore, a product designer is tasked with:
- coming up with various solutions to product issues.
- Get feedback from stakeholders
- Anticipate market opportunities
- Create business goals
- Work with other designers (graphic designers), engineers, and product researchers.
Overall, the focus of the product design study is to help you develop computer skills that you will need to prevent or avert cyberattacks on people’s privacy and data online.
What Courses Will I Study Under Product Design?
Since most universities around the world have figured out the importance of product design for manufacturing companies, they have introduced various courses that provide vital knowledge in the field.
Product design includes courses like:
- Design Fundamentals
- Drawing and Sketching
- Design Thinking and Innovation
- Industrial Design
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
- Prototyping and Fabrication
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Materials and Manufacturing
- Design for Sustainability
- Professional Practices in Product Design
These courses teach you topics such as:
- design principles,
- sketching and visualization,
- user-centered design,
- industrial design techniques,
- CAD software,
- prototyping methods,
- UX design principles,
- materials science and
- sustainable design practices.
Top 5 Countries To Study Product Design
Below is a list of the top 5 countries to study product design abroad:
1. United States Of America
Average annual salary: $55,000 to $75,000 per year
Job Prospect: In the past month, there were over 61,000 job openings for product designers on LinkedIn in the US.
The United States of America is one of the top choices if you are seeking to study product design. Universities in this country offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in this field. Because product design is broad, the U.S. offers structured courses for specific specializations, which is advantageous to students. Additionally, studying in the US guarantees access to high-quality education, scholarship opportunities, internship opportunities, and job opportunities.
Top Universities for product design in the U.S.
- Stanford University
- Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
- ArtCenter College of Design
- Pratt Institute
- California College of the Arts (CCA)
2. Germany
Average annual salary: €35,000 to €45,000 per year
Job Prospect: In the past month, there were over 5,000 job openings for product designers on LinkedIn in Germany.
Germany offers a wide range of programs that are innovative and beneficial in today’s world, and it is not surprising that it is among the top countries to study product design. Germany also houses many companies in different sectors, from healthcare to travel and tourism, retail, Information technology, and so on.
There is no doubt that the presence of these industries will create a need for a data analyst, especially to meet up with the fast-changing demands of the world today. Some of the benefits of studying product design in Germany include access to job opportunities; students can also work while they study; and there is also safety and security for students who decide to pursue a degree in this country.
Top Universities for product design in Germany
- Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
- Folkwang University of the Arts
- Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main
- Köln International School of Design (KISD)
- Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin)
3. Netherlands
Average annual salary: €25,000 to €35,000 per year.
Job Prospect: In the past month, there were over 3000 job openings for product designers on LinkedIn in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands equally hosts a large number of international students, as Swiss universities are among the best on the European continent. When compared to other Western countries, Swiss universities are generally affordable, and the services are world-class. It is a diverse country with different languages, including German, Romansh, French, and Italian.
Also, it offers high-quality education. Additionally, the Netherlands has one of the most robust economies, the standard of living is high, and the salary rate is equally high for those living here. Moreover, the unemployment rate is low, and the country offers a beautiful outlook with mountains and other natural scenery.
Top Universities for product design in the Netherlands
- Delft University of Technology
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- Gerrit Rietveld Academie
- Willem de Kooning Academy
- Eindhoven University of Technology
4. United Kingdom
Average annual salary: £20,000 to £30,000 per year
Job Prospect: In the past month, there were over 10,000 job openings for product designers on LinkedIn in the UK.
The United Kingdom has significantly produced graduates in this field. With the increasing demand for product designers in the world today, there is no doubt that the U.K. is a go-to country for this course. The U.K. equally offers quality education and detailed and comprehensive study programs taught by experienced lecturers.
Moreover, the United Kingdom is also known for endorsing inclusion and diversity because it is a multicultural country. International students who want to study here have nothing to worry about, as there are a large number of international students studying here.
Top Universities for product design in the U.K
- Royal College of Art (RCA)
- Central Saint Martins (CSM)
- University of the Arts London (UAL)
- Kingston University
- Birmingham City University
5. Denmark
Average annual salary: DKK 300,000 to DKK 400,000 per year
Job Prospect: In the past month, there were over 500 job openings for product designers on LinkedIn in Denmark.
Denmark houses some of the top universities in the world when it comes to product design. In addition to the quality education that is guaranteed in this country, students also have access to opportunities like internships and scholarships, especially for international students. Having the opportunity to intern sets you ahead in the labor market, as you would have gained a reasonable amount of experience before starting on your own.
Additionally, Denmark is a country that also embraces science and technology, and there is a demand for professionals in the product design field in this country. Finally, Denmark is equally an English-speaking country, which makes it a plus for international students who can also speak the language.
Top Universities for product design in Denmark.
- Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design (KADK)
- Aarhus School of Architecture
- Design School Kolding
- VIA University College
- KEA – Copenhagen School of Design and Technology
Certificates in Product Design
Note that you may not need to have a product design certificate to get a job. But getting one would enhance your chances of getting a high-paying job. Here are some certifications that product designers need to get:
- Certificate in Industrial Design
- Certificate in User Experience (UX) Design
- Certificate in CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
- Certificate in Design Thinking
- Certificate in Sustainable Design
- Certificate in Product Design and Innovation
- Certificate in Design Research
- Certificate in Design for Manufacturing
- Certificate in Packaging Design
- Certificate in Branding and Product Identity
- Certificate in Design Sketching and Rendering
- Certificate in Design for 3D Printing
- Certificate in Design for Wearable Technology
- Certificate in Design for the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Certificate in Design for Accessibility
Contact AfterSchoolAfrica For Your Admission
For international students looking to get a quality product design education, it can be financially demanding. At AfterSchoolAfrica, we understand that education should be based on the potential for value creation to build an inclusive global economy.
Furthermore, we can help make this dream a reality by offering scholarships, loans, and work-study programs for financial assistance. Therefore, by exploring these avenues, you can focus on your studies without worrying about financial burdens.
Additionally, through our global education lending partners, we now help and support African students to fund their graduate education in the US, Canada, or the UK. You don’t need collateral or a Cosigner.
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