Graduate Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graduate Product Designer

Company: Corston Architectural Detail

Location: Kingsway Business Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0HW, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design & Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-05

Experience Level: 0-2 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the Product Development team in bringing innovative new products to market, focusing on the operational aspects of product realization.

• Engage in product design and engineering activities, ensuring a blend of practical application and aesthetic perfection crucial for high-end architectural details.

• Contribute to range planning research and the assembly of comprehensive business project plans, demonstrating operational foresight.

• Develop and manage supplier relationships, including pricing, logistics, negotiation, and quality control, vital for efficient supply chain operations.

• Apply creative and analytical thinking to diagnose and solve quality and business problems within the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly on-site, requiring daily commute, and emphasizes hands-on involvement in bringing designs to market rapidly, suggesting a fast-paced operational environment. The reporting structure to David Gray and the specific compensation range are key operational details.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute product design and engineering tasks, translating concepts into manufacturable specifications with a focus on operational feasibility.

• Conduct thorough range planning research and develop detailed business project plans, outlining timelines, resources, and key performance indicators for new product introductions.

• Create and manage essential documentation for suppliers and customers, ensuring clear communication of product information, technical specifications, and operational requirements.

• Manage the end-to-end supplier sourcing process, including initial contact, pricing negotiation, logistics coordination, and ongoing relationship management to ensure supply chain efficiency.

• Proactively identify quality and business challenges within the product development lifecycle and implement creative, data-driven solutions to enhance product performance and operational outcomes.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of design, engineering, and manufacturing processes, optimizing workflows for speed and quality.

• Participate in learning opportunities related to the business aspects of industrial design, including cost analysis, market research, and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities emphasize a blend of design execution and operational management, particularly in supplier liaison, project planning, and problem-solving. The "bring designs to market fast" aspect highlights an operational imperative for speed and efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in Product Design or Engineering is highly desirable.

Experience: Some post-university experience is preferred, with evidence of practical application in design or engineering. Candidates with a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work and experience will be prioritized.

Required Skills:

• A keen and sensible approach to problem-solving, balancing practicality with perfection.

• Excellent sense of proportion and sympathetic use of materials in design.

• Fantastic IT skills, with the ability to communicate ideas effectively through models, sketches, and written/verbal language.

• Familiarity with 3D CAD software such as Solidworks or Onshape.

• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Suite.

• Competence with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• A positive and proactive attitude towards work and challenges.

• Ability to work methodically and prioritize project tasks effectively.

• Self-driven with demonstrated examples of taking initiative on business-related projects. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in industrial design or product development within the architectural or interiors sector.

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials relevant to architectural details.

• Experience in supplier sourcing, negotiation, and logistics management.

• Familiarity with business project planning methodologies.

• Ability to conduct market research and competitive analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software (Solidworks/Onshape, Adobe Suite) and the requirement for a balance between practicality and perfection point to a role that requires strong technical execution alongside sound operational judgment. The "self-driven" and "initiative" requirements suggest a need for candidates who can operate with autonomy within the product development operations framework.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of product design and engineering projects, detailing the problem, your approach, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved.

• Include examples of 3D models, technical drawings, and renders created using Solidworks, Onshape, or similar CAD software.

• Demonstrate proficiency in using Adobe Suite for visual communication, presentations, and mock-ups.

• Present evidence of project planning, including timelines, resource allocation, and problem-solving strategies.

• Highlight any experience with supplier liaison, research, or negotiation, even if from academic projects. Process Documentation:

• For each project, clearly outline the design process, from initial concept generation to final design specification and preparation for manufacturing.

• Detail any research conducted, including market analysis, material selection, and supplier investigation.

• Provide examples of how you documented technical requirements and communicated them to potential suppliers or stakeholders.

• Illustrate your approach to problem-solving, showing how you identified issues and developed effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical skills in design, engineering, and communication, as well as operational thinking in project execution and problem-solving. The emphasis on "bringing designs to market fast" implies a need for portfolios that show efficient project progression.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £28,000 - £29,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Free on-site parking.

• On-site Gym facilities.

• Family & Friends discount on Corston Products.

• 25 days of annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays.

• Pension scheme: 4% Employer Contribution, with a minimum of 5% employee contribution.

• 4 x Salary Life Cover.

• Opportunity to work in a high-end environment with a growing international presence, offering significant career development opportunities.

Working Hours: Full Time, typically 40 hours per week (implied by standard full-time employment). The role is strictly on-site, requiring a daily commute to Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a graduate-level position in the UK product design and engineering sector, particularly within a specialized field like architectural details. The benefits package is comprehensive, highlighting a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, with specific perks like an on-site gym and significant product discounts. The explicit on-site requirement is a key factor for work-life balance considerations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architectural Detail, Manufacturing, Interior Design. Corston Architectural Detail operates in a niche market, providing high-end, often bespoke, architectural hardware and detailing solutions. This implies a focus on quality, craftsmanship, and client-specific needs.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of an on-site business, a Product Development department, and international growth suggests a medium to large-sized enterprise with established operational structures.

Founded: Corston Architectural Detail has a history that supports its reputation for quality and growth, indicating stability and a proven track record in its market.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design Team is part of the larger Product Development department.

• This role reports directly to David Gray, indicating a clear line of management within the design and development hierarchy.

• Cross-functional collaboration is actively promoted, with a creative and vibrant team environment where cross-learning is encouraged. This suggests a collaborative rather than strictly hierarchical team dynamic. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes bringing designs to market rapidly, suggesting agile or lean operational methodologies within product development.

• Significant budget for development and fast decision-making empower designers, pointing to an operational philosophy that values speed, innovation, and designer autonomy.

• The focus is on creating tangible products rather than just designs for review, underscoring a results-oriented and production-focused approach.

Company Website: https://corston.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to be one that values speed, innovation, and designer empowerment, with a strong operational focus on rapid product realization. The emphasis on quality and high-end products suggests a meticulous approach to design and manufacturing processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Graduate / Junior Product Designer. This level is characterized by a focus on learning, skill development, and supporting senior team members in executing defined tasks. The role offers a direct pathway into hands-on product development and manufacturing operations.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to David Gray, likely a Product Design Manager or Lead. This close supervision provides mentorship and guidance, essential for a graduate role. The team structure promotes cross-learning, indicating opportunities to gain exposure to various aspects of product development beyond core design.

Operations Impact: The role directly contributes to the company's product pipeline, impacting its ability to innovate, meet market demands, and maintain its competitive edge in the architectural detailing sector. Successful product introductions and quality improvements directly influence revenue and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Product Development Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of product design, engineering, materials science, or manufacturing processes relevant to architectural hardware.

• Project Management Skills: Develop capabilities in managing product development projects from concept to launch, including supplier negotiations, logistics, and budget oversight.

• International Exposure: Potential for travel to meet suppliers, gaining firsthand experience in global manufacturing and supply chain operations.

• Business Acumen: Gain comprehensive training in the business aspects of industrial design, enhancing understanding of market dynamics, cost analysis, and strategic planning.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and initiative, opportunities may arise for leading smaller projects or taking on more senior design responsibilities within the growing international team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as an entry point into a dynamic product development environment with a strong operational emphasis. The company's international growth and commitment to empowering designers suggest significant potential for career advancement and skill diversification within the operations and product development sphere.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates as a "fully on-site business," indicating a traditional office and potentially workshop/studio environment where in-person collaboration is paramount.

Office Location(s): Kingsway Business Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0HW, United Kingdom. This location is easily accessible for those commuting within the Wiltshire region.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on collaboration and cross-learning suggests an open and interactive workspace designed to foster teamwork and idea exchange.

• Tools & Technology: Access to design facilities to bring designs to market fast, significant development budgets, and modern IT infrastructure are implied. This likely includes advanced design software and potentially prototyping equipment.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with a creative and vibrant team, including direct mentorship from David Gray and colleagues within the Product Design Team, is a key feature.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment, requiring a 5-day per week commute to the Malmesbury site. While specific hours aren't detailed, a standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles, with the understanding that deadlines may require flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The commitment to an on-site work environment underscores the company's belief in the value of direct collaboration and team synergy for innovation and operational efficiency in product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Review of CV and portfolio against stated requirements. Candidates with strong design degrees and relevant portfolios will be shortlisted.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Assessment: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Product Design Team and David Gray. This will involve discussing design rationale, engineering considerations, problem-solving approaches, and operational aspects of their projects. Expect practical questions about their use of Solidworks/Onshape and Adobe Suite.

• Problem-Solving/Case Study: A practical exercise or case study may be given, focusing on a design or engineering challenge relevant to Corston's products. This assesses problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to work methodically under pressure.

• Team Fit & Cultural Interview: Discussion to assess attitude, ability to collaborate, and alignment with the company's values of speed, innovation, and continuous learning.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design and engineering process for each project, emphasizing how you moved from concept to a tangible, manufacturable outcome.

• Showcase Operational Thinking: Include examples where you considered cost, materials, logistics, or supplier constraints. Even academic projects can demonstrate this.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Ensure your CAD models, sketches, and renders are clean, professional, and clearly communicate your design intent.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, quantify the results of your projects (e.g., efficiency gains, cost savings, successful product launch). For a graduate role, demonstrating learning and initiative is key.

• Tailor to Corston: Research Corston's product range and client base. Frame your projects to highlight relevance to high-end architectural details and interiors.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with Corston's product catalog and recent projects.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and problem-solving methodologies concisely.

• Be prepared to discuss your experience with specific software (Solidworks/Onshape, Adobe Suite) and how you apply them in a design and engineering context.

• Think about how you would approach sourcing a new material or supplier, considering cost, quality, and lead times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a portfolio that demonstrates both creative design and a nascent understanding of operational realities in product development.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 3D CAD Software: Solidworks or Onshape are explicitly required. Proficiency in creating complex models, assemblies, and technical drawings for manufacturing.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for visual communication, mock-ups, presentations, and potentially graphic design elements for product documentation.

• MS Office Suite: Standard requirement for documentation, project planning (Excel, Word), and presentations (PowerPoint).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, proficiency in Excel for data analysis related to materials, costs, and project timelines is expected.

• Understanding of how to generate reports on project progress and supplier performance may be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core responsibilities, but an awareness of how product data integrates with CRM or ERP systems for sales and inventory management would be a plus.

• Understanding of workflow automation within design processes could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design and engineering tools, with a strong emphasis on CAD and graphic design software. This indicates a role where technical execution and visual communication are paramount, supported by standard office productivity tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Speed & Agility: "Bring designs to market fast" and "Fast decision making" are key operational values, emphasizing efficiency and responsiveness.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouragement of creative thinking to solve problems and bring new products to market.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: Implicit in serving the high-end architectural detail market, requiring attention to detail and material use.

• Collaboration & Cross-Learning: The team culture promotes sharing knowledge and working together to foster growth and collective problem-solving.

• Autonomy & Empowerment: Designers are given significant decision-making power, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Vibrant and Creative Team: Expect an energetic and inspiring work environment where ideas are shared freely.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with other designers, engineers, and potentially production or sales teams is expected.

• Mentorship and Support: The reporting structure to David Gray and the emphasis on cross-learning suggest a supportive environment where guidance is readily available.

• Direct Communication: The on-site nature of the business facilitates direct, face-to-face communication and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture prioritizes a dynamic, collaborative, and empowering environment that drives rapid product development and innovation. This is underpinned by a strong operational focus on speed and efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed with Quality: The imperative to bring products to market quickly while maintaining high standards of design and manufacturing can be a significant challenge.

• Supplier Management Complexity: Navigating international supplier relationships, pricing, logistics, and quality control requires strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.

• Integrating Business Acumen: For a graduate, translating academic design knowledge into practical business applications and understanding the commercial impact of design decisions can be challenging.

• On-site Requirement: The necessity of a daily commute to Malmesbury may present logistical challenges for some candidates.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Hands-on Product Realization: Gain invaluable experience in taking designs from concept through to market-ready products, understanding the entire operational lifecycle.

• Industry-Specific Expertise: Develop deep knowledge in architectural detailing, material science, and manufacturing processes relevant to high-end interiors.

• Business Acumen Training: Receive direct training in the business side of industrial design, enhancing commercial awareness and strategic thinking.

• International Exposure: Opportunities to travel for supplier meetings and gain insights into global manufacturing practices.

• Mentorship: Benefit from guidance from experienced professionals like David Gray and a collaborative team environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a steep learning curve, particularly in bridging design theory with operational realities and business strategy, but offers substantial growth potential within a supportive and innovative environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• How do you balance design aesthetics with manufacturing constraints and cost-effectiveness? (Prepare examples from your portfolio.)

• Describe a time you had to solve a technical or design problem under pressure. What was your process and outcome?

• How would you approach researching and vetting a new supplier for a critical component? (Consider factors like cost, quality, lead times, and reliability.)

• What is your understanding of the product development lifecycle, and where do you see the biggest operational challenges? Company & Culture Questions:

• Why are you interested in Corston Architectural Detail specifically, and what excites you about our products? (Research their website and product range thoroughly.)

• How do you approach collaboration with team members, especially when working on fast-paced projects?

• Describe your ideal work environment and how you contribute to a positive team culture.

• What does "bringing designs to market fast" mean to you, and how would you contribute to this objective? Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation to tell a story for each project: the problem, your innovative solution, the operational considerations, and the final outcome.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out where your portfolio demonstrates Solidworks/Onshape proficiency, Adobe Suite skills, problem-solving abilities, and any experience with project planning or supplier liaison.

• Quantify Achievements: If possible, use numbers to showcase impact – e.g., "Reduced design iteration time by X%," or "Identified Y potential suppliers for Z component."

• Engage with Questions: Be prepared for in-depth questions about your design choices, technical approaches, and how you would handle specific operational scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview will focus on practical application of design skills, problem-solving capabilities, and an understanding of the operational aspects of bringing products to market, all within the context of Corston's specific industry and culture.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graduate Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Corston Architectural Detail careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to highlight projects demonstrating product design, engineering problem-solving, and any operational considerations (e.g., material sourcing, cost awareness, supplier communication).

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize relevant academic projects, technical skills (Solidworks, Onshape, Adobe Suite), and any work experience that showcases initiative, problem-solving, and an interest in product development operations. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical skills, and problem-solving approaches. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to answer potential interview questions. Research Corston's products and company values.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review the Corston Architectural Detail website to understand their product lines, market position, and company culture. Be ready to discuss why you are a good fit for their specific operational environment and design philosophy.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.