Transport designer

Transport designers develop and design cars, boats, aeroplanes and other forms of transport. They must be aware of the principles of engineering, production methods and the needs of transport users.

Also known as:

Aeroplane designer
Car designer
Vehicle designer

Work activities

Transport designers specialise in the design and development of almost anything that is designed to transport goods, livestock or people, across land, over water or through the air. Many transport designers work together on large projects, with each concentrating on a particular aspect of the design. In aircraft design, for example, one designer may concentrate on the landing gear and another on the fuselage. Smaller projects may be completed by individual designers or small design teams.

Transport designers may also design things that are related to travel and transport, such as signs, travel cards, airport logos, etc. Research is an important part of a transport designer’s work. They need to find out:

Who will use the vehicle, vessel or craft.
Which materials are needed for production.
How much it will cost to produce.

They then make rough sketches of their design ideas. They then turn these into detailed drawings, normally using a computer aided design (CAD) system. These can then be used to construct a prototype vehicle, vessel or craft, which is tested and supervised by the designer.

Using these test results, transport designers refine their original work and produce working drawings. Production staff use the working drawings to manufacture and assemble relevant parts and sections of the item of transport.

Personal qualities and skills

As a transport designer, you need:

Creative design skills.
An understanding of technical and production processes.
Good organisation and planning skills.
Good communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
Problem-solving skills.
To work to deadlines and budgets.
Good research skills.
To keep up to date with new design developments.
IT skills.

Self-employed or freelance transport designers will need business and marketing skills.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for transport designers vary with the industry and responsibilities. The pay rates given are approximate. Transport designers start on around £20,000 per year, rising to approximately £45,000 with experience.

Transport designers usually work a 39-41-hour week, Monday to Friday. Working hours for self-employed designers may be irregular, depending on the project they are working on. Late finishes and weekend work may be required from time to time, especially as deadlines approach.

Employers are large firms involved in the production of road, rail, sea or air transport. Other major employers are design consultancies that undertake project work for large firms. Opportunities for transport designers occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK. Opportunities may also occur in other countries, for example, Canada and New Zealand.

Self-employment opportunities are available in consultancy and fixed-term contract work.

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 or Find an Apprenticeship services. It’s a good idea to build up a network of relevant contacts as not all transport design jobs are advertised. Making speculative job applications can also be effective.

Entry routes and training

Most people come into this career following a degree. Subjects such as transport design, or automotive design will be most useful. Some people get on to degree courses via a Foundation course, HND, HNC or foundation degree. Some of your training will be on-the-job.

There is a level 6 (degree) apprenticeship in the role of product design and development engineer, which offers an alternative to higher education.

With training and experience, it may be possible to move into managerial positions.

Qualifications

For entry to a relevant degree course, you’ll need at least:

Two to three A-levels. Some courses ask that you have a pass in art or in an art-related subject.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in five subjects. For some courses, English and maths passes are needed.
Level 3 BTEC National in art and design.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

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 or five subjects. Some courses ask that you have a pass in English. A pass in design and technology (product design) would be useful.

To begin a level 6 degree apprenticeship, you will need:

Two to three A-levels, ideally in a related subject, such as art and design.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in English and maths.

Acceptable alternatives to A-levels include:

BTEC National in Fine Art, or related course.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma

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

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 transport industry are an advantage. To enter the work or relevant courses, you need to have a portfolio of work showing your 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. A range of colleges and universities offer degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level in transport design, some specialising in automotive design. Study can be full or part time/flexible or via distance learning. Courses have been developed in partnership with industry.

Related careers

Design assistant
Designer
Ergonomist
Mechanical engineer
Naval architect
Product designer