Self-test: Is the "Product Designer HF" course the right one for me?
Are you interested in further training in industrial design at a university of applied sciences? Then you've come to the right place.
Please note: The course to become a qualified designer HF Product Design, which previously taught Industrial Design, has been revised and has been running under the name of qualified product designer HF since October 2022.
Use our self-test to find out whether this HF further education course in product design is right for you.
During the test, you will receive numerous tips and information on further training: on content, admission requirements, costs, the training process, etc.
Graduate product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design): What does their day-to-day work look like?
Graduate product designers HF* and graduate product designers HF*developanddesignprototypes of new products or improve existing objects. In doing so, they not only deal withconcrete productsbut also withvirtual objects,ServicesandExperiences in digital and analog space. Their activities are differentiated according to areas of application: for exampleIndustrial Designor industrial design, which deals with the creative development of consumer goods (household appliances, tools, furniture, toys, lighting, etc.) and capital goods (technical equipment, commercial vehicles, etc.). Other areas of application areTextile, fashion, jewelry and watch design.
Qualified product designers analyze the requirements on the basis of an order, competition or their own ideas, research, create concepts, test materials, produce models or prototypes and bring the product to production maturity as a functional one-off or as an industrial series product through critical examination and further adjustments in consultation with all those involved. You plan the project - including estimating the costs - and see it through to implementation.
Qualified product designers HF work as specialists in design offices or in the design departments of institutions, industrial or craft businesses or independently in their own studio. They often work in interdisciplinary project groups, which are often led by themselves. They consult specialized experts and work closely with material manufacturers, suppliers, production companies and customers. To this end, they always keep up to date with creative work at regional, national and international level and incorporate social and ecological aspects into their work alongside practical and economic ones.
* The further training and job title for qualified production designers HF was "designer HF product design" until October 2022.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design)?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this HF course. We wish you every success.
So you don't like all aspects of this product design profession (formerly designer HF / Gestalterin HF Produktdesign). Think about which ones interest you the most and which ones don't. Take a look at relevant job advertisements. Perhaps you will find job advertisements that primarily call for activities that suit you. If so, you are still on the right track with this training.
If the job profiles in the job advertisements do not appeal to you, take a look at other training courses.
If you prefer to focus on the communicative rather than the functional aspects of products, take a look at communication design, for example:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/kommunikationsdesign-info.aspx
Or are you more interested in the technical challenges - not just of individual objects and products, but of entire systems? Then how about, for example:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/techniker-hf-maschinenbau-info.aspx?
If you don't like the activities at all, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Don't really know where you want to go professionally and want to find your calling? Then take a look at ourGuide "Finding your own calling".
Target group, personal characteristics and skills: Who is this HF course aimed at?
The courses to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) are aimed at professionals trained in design and craftsmanship who want to design useful products and are aiming for a federally recognized higher vocational education qualification.
To work in product design, you absolutely need:
- Sense of form, color and function
- Imagination and innovative spirit
- analytical-conceptual skills
- Technical understanding
- customer-oriented behavior
- Ability to work in a team and willingness to collaborate across disciplines
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group for this training and do you have the necessary personal qualities
Great! Find out in the next step whether you meet the admission requirements for the HF course in product design.
If you belong to the target group but do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, it will be difficult. You are unlikely to meet the requirements of the job and may not be admitted to the product design course. It is better to look around for other further training opportunities.
If you are unsure whether you are suited to such a job, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
- Career coaching:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/berufscoaching-info.aspx
- Career counseling:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/laufbahnberatung-info.html
Prerequisites for admission to further training as a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design)
The universities of applied sciences are responsible for designing the degree program. They also define theRequirements for admission to further training. In both cases, they are based on theFramework curriculum "Product design". Basically the following applies:
- The HF course in product design is open to all interested parties with aCompletion of upper secondary levelopen. The schools or course directors decide on admission with other qualifications and backgrounds (sur dossier).
- Anyone who holds a Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) in arelevant professioncan complete the training in less time or with a third less effort (more on this in step 6). Relevant professions include, for example, clothing designer, graphic designer, industrial ceramist, interactive media designer, stonemason or draughtsman. A complete list of relevant professions can be found in theFramework curriculum.
In addition to this basic requirement, admission to the product design course is subject to the individual requirements set by the schools.Admission proceduredecisive. The admission procedures of the individual HF vary and are usually subject to a fee, but all serve the purpose of checking the aptitude of those interested in the course and only admitting those who have a real chance of graduating and achieving professional success. Admission procedures usually include admission or aptitude interviews, the submission of work portfolios and often also the completion of specific homework assignments (e.g. development of a prototype).
Students who complete the continuing education program to become a certified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) must generally provide the school with proof of 50% work experience during their studies in which they can apply what they have learned in practice.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! Then you can tackle the HF further training course to become a qualified product designer HF or the admission procedure.
Tip: The admission procedures for product design courses are demanding. Various education providers in the field of art and design therefore offer preparatory courses for the admission procedure, in which participants create their own work portfolio (also known as a "dossier" or "portfolio") and thus learn to present their talent and special skills appropriately. You can find preparatory courses here:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/gestalterischer-vorkurs-info.aspx
If you do not have an upper secondary level qualification, you cannot directly pursue further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design). Look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to catch up on the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
Do you have a university degree and want to continue your education in industrial design or product design? Then you may be interested in continuing your education at a university of applied sciences:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/product-design-info.aspx
If you have a foreign qualification, please contact the school of your choice. You should also contact the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). SERI is responsible for the recognition and equivalence assessment of foreign qualifications. You can find out more via this link: (https://www.anerkennung.swiss/)
If you are not working in a relevant position, look for a suitable job.Hereto find out how best to proceed with your job search.
If someone in your private or professional environment works in a technical or creative field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Tip: The admission procedures for admission to further training to become a qualified product designer HF are demanding. Various education providers in the field of art and design therefore offer preparatory courses for the admission procedure, in which participants create their own work portfolio (also known as a "dossier" or "portfolio") and thus learn to present their talent and special skills appropriately. You can find preparatory courses here:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/gestalterischer-vorkurs-info.aspx
If you do not have an upper secondary level qualification, you cannot pursue further training to become a qualified product designer HF directly. Look for a suitable training opportunity. It is also possible to catch up on the EFZ or an equivalent qualification as an adult. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
Do you have a university degree and want to continue your education in industrial design or product design? Then you may be interested in continuing your education at a university of applied sciences:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/product-design-info.aspx
If you have a foreign qualification, please contact the school of your choice. You should also contact the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). SERI is responsible for the recognition and equivalence assessment of foreign qualifications.Via this linkfind out more.
If you are not working in a relevant position, look for a suitable job.Hereto find out how best to proceed with your job search.
If someone in your private or professional environment works in a technical or creative field, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Tip: The admission procedures for admission to further training to become a qualified product designer HF are demanding. Various education providers in the field of art and design therefore offer preparatory courses for the admission procedure, in which participants create their own work portfolio (also known as a "dossier" or "portfolio") and thus learn to present their talent and special skills appropriately. You can find preparatory courses here:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/gestalterischer-vorkurs-info.aspx
Learning material, content and skills imparted in further training
Product design training is based on the "Product Design" framework curriculum, which came into force in October 2022 (prior to this, the basis was the "Design and Art Framework Curriculum", which led to the title "Graduate Designer HF Product Design"). The universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway when designing the courses, which is why the curricula differ in detail.
The classification and designation of theSubjectsdepend on the higher technical college. They are, for example
- Ergonomics, shapes, colors, materials
- Drawing
- CAD (Computer Aided Design) and visualization
- Visual communication and presentation
- Creation of prototypes
- Legal basis
- Project management and corporate governance
- Trends and marketing
- Design history
- English or 2nd national language
- Projects and internship
HF courses in product design teach skills in the following areas6 areas of expertise:
- Development of your own creative personality(e.g. reflecting on own design experiences, dealing constructively with criticism, presenting and reflecting on own position and sharpening it through research)
- Exploring and designing(e.g. visualize ideas, incorporate new trends and sustainability approaches, compare solution variants, incorporate process and production technologies, develop in iterative processes, assess feasibility, conduct material experiments, etc.)
- Design(e.g. formulate rough concepts and make them tangible, create, compare and evaluate concepts of solution variants, define materials and manufacturing processes, plan projects through to execution, taking into account legal bases and customer requirements)
- Realize and hand over(e.g. developing, realizing and presenting designs, accompanying the realization of a product, evaluating realization and deriving findings, presenting projects and conducting negotiations, etc.)
- Taking an entrepreneurial perspective and assuming responsibility(e.g. analyzing the order, target group and customer needs, preparing offers and tenders, planning and securing financing, monitoring the budget and using production resources in line with the situation, documenting material flows, recycling resources, etc.)
- Collaboration and coordination(e.g. clarifying roles and tasks, interdisciplinary cooperation, incorporating feedback, planning and moderating workshops, building and maintaining networks, etc.)
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire these skills?
Great - look forward to instructive lessons and exciting networking and case studies!
Tip: In theFramework curriculum (RLP)for further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design), you will find all the details on the competencies and requirement levels as well as everything about the sponsorship of the RLP, the objectives of the further training, the role of the profession in the world of work, etc.
If you struggle with these subjects or you don't like the skills involved, this is not the right course for you. Take a look at other design courses. Perhaps a different course would suit you better? Click here for the range of design courses:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/gestaltung-info.html
Costs of further training
The costs for continuing education to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) are determined by the higher technical colleges. The tuition costs vary greatly and include a different number of services (e.g. fee for the diploma examination).
HF continuing education courses that have been recognized by the Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI are subsidized by the cantons. The subsidies are regulated inter-cantonally and apply to students who have been resident in Switzerland or Liechtenstein for at least 2 years. The schools will inform you directly about the course costs for students with a different place of residence. (Information on SERI recognition can be found in the answer texts).
If you have lived in Switzerland or Liechtenstein for at least 2 years, you can expect the following costs:
- Costs for the admission procedure for the product design course: approx. CHF 200-240
- Course costs: approx. CHF 1500 per semester for the 4-semester full-time course (= total course costs of CHF 6000) or CHF 1750-3100 per semester for 6-semester part-time courses (= total course costs of approx. CHF 10,500-18,600)
- Diploma semester/examination fee: possibly additional up to approx. CHF 2000
- Working material
- additional costs in some cases for enrollment, teaching materials, excursions, etc.
Ask the school of your choice about the actual costs you can expect.
Question 5:
Are you able to finance around CHF 17,600-25,100 for your studies in addition to your living costs?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount for the HF Product Designer course in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
This link will take you to the EDK list of SERI-recognized, cantonally subsidized HF courses:https://www.edk.ch/de/themen/bildungsfinanzierung/hoehere-fachschulen
Further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) is subsidized by the canton. Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of publicly supported HF courses.
Ask the schools first about the actual costs (including extra costs) and the possibility of paying in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available here:https://www.tempservice.ch/de/temptraining/anspruch-pruefen/index.php
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of your HF training in product design.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) is subsidized by the canton. Aboutthis linkto access the EDK list of publicly supported HF courses.
Ask the schools first about the actual costs (including extra costs) and the possibility of paying in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available here:https://www.tempservice.ch/de/temptraining/anspruch-pruefen/index.php
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of your HF training in product design.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Duration of study, scope and schedule, form of teaching, teaching times
The further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) takes4 semesters of full-time study(incl. internships) or6 semesters part-time. Anyone completing the training alongside their job must work at least 50% of the time in a position where the course material can be applied.
The training is organized intwo variantsoffered:
- a more compact version in the size oftotal approx. 3600 learning hoursfor apprentices with relevant previous training (EFZ e.g. as a clothing designer, graphic designer, industrial ceramist, interactive media designer, stonemason or draughtsman; complete list in the RLP ((link to https://www.becc.admin.ch/becc/public/bvz/beruf/show/253)).
- a more comprehensive variant in the scope oftotal approx. 5400 learning hoursfor learners without relevant previous training.
The training providers can offer a maximum of10 %of the total learning hoursFocus on contentin the fields of industrial design, ceramics, fashion design, product design, jewelry design or textile design. They must describe these in the school curriculum with additional skills. The specializations or focus areas have no influence on the title awarded after successful completion of the course.
The learning hours of this HF training course are distributed as follows across the variousEducational components:
- without relevant previous education (total 5400 learning hours): at least 2400 hours of contact lessons, at least 420 hours of guided self-study, at least 300 hours of individual self-study, at least 1800 hours of practical training, 480 hours of qualification procedure
- with relevant previous education (total of 3600 hours): at least 1600 hours of contact lessons, at least 320 hours of guided self-study, at least 480 hours of individual self-study, 720 hours of practical training, at least 480 hours of qualification procedure
TheLesson timesare determined by the schools and vary for part-time courses: As a rule, they are spread over 3-4 half days per week (e.g. one evening plus a whole Friday or Saturday per week) plus one block course per semester.
Form of teachingThe contact lessons of the continuing education program for the diploma in product design HF (formerly Gestalterin HF / Gestalter HF Produktdesign) take place partly in the form of classical classroom teaching, partly in studios, during field work and excursions, in the form of supervised group work, synchronous webinars, etc. Guided self-study includes tasks such as exercises, special assignments, reading and research assignments, guided fieldwork, etc. Individual self-study includes preparation and follow-up work for lessons, general study time, independent studio work, exam preparation, etc.
Individual self-studyYou should allow sufficient time for your individual learning - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style, learning speed and the training model you have chosen. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Even if there is already enough time, a note: If you already have further education certificates on topics that are necessary for the further education in Industrial Design or Product Design HF, clarify with the school of your choice whether these educational achievements will be credited and individual course units will be waived.
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you do not have that much time to devote to further training as a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design), contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than six semesters.
If you already have further education certificates on topics that are necessary for further education in Industrial Design or Product Design HF, clarify with the school of your choice whether these educational achievements will be credited and whether individual course units will be waived.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training.
Qualification procedure, diploma and title
During the further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design), learning progress is continuously assessed in the form of semester and intermediate examinations as well as graded semester or project work etc. Students who have successfully completed all qualification requirements are admitted to the final qualification procedure (QV). Some schools also require a foreign language certificate at level B1 in English or another national language for admission to the QV for the diploma as a product designer HF.
The responsibility for the final qualification procedure lies with the universities of applied sciences, which set out the provisions and details in a set of study regulations. As the HF course in product design has only existed in this form since October 2022, many schools have not yet published their examination regulations and the detailed examination procedure (as of January 2024).
In general, the professional competences listed in step 4 are tested in the qualification procedure. The QV usually consists of (the preparation of) a practice-oriented diploma thesis as well as written and oral examinations.
Diploma and title
Those who successfully complete the course receive a federally recognized diploma and may use the following protected title:
- German: dipl. Produktdesignerin / dipl. Produktdesigner HF
- French: Designer diplômée ES en design de produit / Designer diplômé ES en design de produit
- Italian: Designer dipl. SSS in design di prodotto
Recommended title in English (not protected): Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education Product Design.
Until October 2022, further training in product design concluded with the title "dipl. Gestalter HF Produktdesign" or "dipl. Gestalterin HF Produktdesign" (the French and Italian titles remained unchanged). Anyone holding this title may use the new title awarded since October 2022.
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the course and qualification procedure for the federally recognized HF diploma as a product designer HF?
Great! - However, you should still enquire about the exact examination procedure at the higher technical college of your choice.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new educational qualification in product design:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on further training to become a qualified product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design). You should also enquire about the exact examination procedure at the higher technical college of your choice.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest in this further education course in industrial or product design and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Don't be afraid to seek support for learning, for example from learning therapists or coaches or in autogenic or mental training.
You can find suitable offers here:
- Coach:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/coaching-info.html
- Learning therapist:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/lerntherapeut-info.html
- Autogenic training:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/autogenes-training-info.html
- Mental training:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/mentales-training-info.html
Do you suffer from exam anxiety and is this possibly the reason for your insecurity? Here, too, you can get appropriate support to learn suitable techniques and also experience the positive sides of exam anxiety. You can find suitable providers here:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/pruefungsangst-info.html
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new qualification as a product designer HF:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination, but would like to complete the training to become a product designer HF / dipl. product designer, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest in this further training course and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
You should also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training or by learning appropriate mindfulness and relaxation techniques, which can be helpful if you have exam anxiety, for example. You can find suitable offers here:
- Coach:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/coaching-info.html
- Learning therapist:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/lerntherapeut-info.html
- Autogenic training:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/autogenes-training-info.html
- Mental training:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/mentales-training-info.html
- Overcome exam nerves:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/pruefungsangst-info.html
- Relaxation techniques:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/entspannungstechniken-info.aspx
No, training as a product designer HF (formerly dipl. Gestalterin HF / Gestalter HF Produktdesign) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Produktdesignerin HF / Produktdesigner HF (dipl. Gestalterin HF /Gestalter HF Produktdesign) is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: training as a product designer HF (formerly designer HF product design) does not seem ideal for you. Or is it the form of training that doesn't suit you or doesn't fit well in organizational terms?
See if other further training courses in the field of design are more suitable for you. You can find a large selection of courses onhttps://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/gestaltung-info.html.
Training as a product designer HF (dipl. Gestalterin HF / Gestalter HF Produktdesign) is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the information events organized by the providers. There you can find out more about further education and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to theSchools with training courses for product designers HF (formerly designers HF product design)
If you would like support in choosing the right school for you, try ourGuide "How to choose the right training provider"or with our evaluation tool with numerous evaluations from former participants of various courses:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/Bildungshilfe/Lehrgangsrating.
Training as a product designer HF (formerly dipl. Gestalterin HF / Gestalter HF Produktdesign) seems to be a good fit for you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to theSchools with training courses for product designers HF (formerly designers HF product design)
If you would like support in choosing the right school for you, try ourGuide "How to choose the right training provider"or with our evaluation tool with numerous evaluations from former participants of various courses:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/Bildungshilfe/Lehrgangsrating.
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to theSchools with training courses for product designers HF (formerly designers HF product design)
If you would like support in choosing the right school for you, try ourGuide "How to choose the right training provider"or with our evaluation tool with numerous evaluations from former participants of various courses:https://www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch/Bildungshilfe/Lehrgangsrating.
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin