Glass designer

Glass designers are specialist craft or product designers working in three main areas: studio glass, architectural glass and stained glass. Their aim is to design functional, reliable and cost-effective products.

Work activities

Glass designers specialise as either craft or product designers. They work in three main areas:

Studio glass.
Architectural glass.
Stained glass.

In studio and stained glass work, designers are directly involved in the production or assembly of pieces as designer-craftworkers. This will often be on a self-employed basis. In all forms of glass work, designers develop ideas and make decisions on the use of materials and production processes after taking costs into account. The aim is to design functional, reliable products, which can be made at a reasonable cost.

Personal qualities and skills

As a glass designer, you need:

An understanding of shape, colour and form.
Creative and artistic skills.
The ability to communicate ideas in the form of sketches or models.
An understanding of production processes and the different materials you might use to make glass products.
Problem-solving skills.
To work to deadlines and budgets.
Good communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
Knowledge of design-related software.
Self-employed or freelance glass designers will need business and marketing skills.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for glass designers vary with employer and responsibilities. The pay rates given are for the role of product designer as stated on the National Careers Service website. Product designers earn between £22,000 and £45,000.

Self-employed designer-craftworkers are likely to earn at the lower end of the range, especially when starting out. Self-employed glass designers experience more fluctuation in their incomes, and generally earn a lower figure.

Glass designers usually work a full-time week, Monday to Friday. However, late finishes and weekend work may be required, especially as deadlines approach. Self-employed glass designers may work irregular hours, depending on how much work they have week-to-week.

Employers include high volume, glass product manufacturing companies, and specialist design consultancies. They may also employ freelance designers. Opportunities for glass designers occur with manufacturers in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for designers to become self-employed, as designer-craftworkers and work from home, a shared studio or a workshop. The ability for individuals to promote their work online via the internet means location is less important for self-employed designer-craftworkers. Consultancy and fixed-term contract work may be available for experienced designers.

What’s happening in this work area?

The industry is a tough one to break into, however. This is due to the large number of craftworkers operating in the same, often small and localised, marketplaces. E-commerce – advertising and selling products online – is a key income stream in today’s digital economy. IT skills are becoming increasingly important. Competition for posts as a glass designer is strong, as there are often more applicants than vacancies.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in design industry magazines/journals, on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. It’s a good idea to build up a network of relevant contacts, as not all design jobs are advertised. Making speculative job applications can also be effective.

Entry routes and training

A common route into this career is via a foundation course in art and design followed by a degree, HND or foundation degree in a subject that includes glass design. These are often three-dimensional or combined design courses. Glass design is commonly studied with ceramics design.

You could do a level 6 degree apprenticeship in the role of product design and development engineer .

Alternatively, there are craft glass-making courses available in some colleges. These cover glassblowing, decoration, hand-forming and lathe working. These courses may be suitable for designers who hope to become self-employed. Some courses are available part-time during the day and others are offered as evening classes. A few are available full-time.

Some of your training will be on-the-job.

Many designers become self-employed. With training and experience, it may be possible to move into managerial positions.

Qualifications

The usual entry requirements for a relevant foundation course are:

One to two A-levels. You’ll need an A-level in art or in an art-based subject.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in four to five subjects. Some courses ask that you have a pass in English.
A BTEC level 3 National Diploma in art and design.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Many other qualifications are also accepted so check prospectuses for more details. The entry requirements for relevant HNDs and foundation degrees are similar to those needed for the foundation course mentioned above.

If you go on to a degree directly, you’ll usually need:

Two or more A-levels. Many courses ask that you have at least a B grade in an art-based subject.
Four to five GCSEs at grades 9-4. A pass in English is often required.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained as an assistant in a design studio or workshop, or in a design consultancy are valued. Commercial awareness and an understanding of the glass manufacturing industry are an advantage.

Some people gradually develop a hobby in glass making into a career by selling pieces of glassware they have designed and made themselves. Most people who enter glass design by this route do so part-time whilst working in other jobs because of the costs of developing a commercial workshop. To enter the work or relevant courses, you need to have a portfolio of work showing your creative ability.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g. Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details. They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses. It’s also possible to do a part-time Art Foundation course, which leads to a degree or HND course. Higher National Certificate (HNC) courses are also available part-time, often in the evenings and/ or in the daytime. Universities and colleges of higher education (HE) will usually consider applications from candidates who don’t meet their usual entry requirements, especially those with experience in arts, crafts or design. You should check the admissions policy of individual universities and HE colleges.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust offers grants, scholarships and Apprenticeship support to people wishing to set up craft/design businesses. The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass runs competitions and awards to encourage the careers of students and young artists.

Related careers

Ceramics designer
Design assistant
Designer
Glass technologist
Glassmaker
Jewellery/silver designer
Packaging designer
Product designer