Staatlich geprüfter Assistent/Staatlich geprüfte Assistentin für Produktdesign

Product design assistants receive their Ausbildung (vocational training) in schools. Learning locations include Berufsfachschule/Berufskolleg (vocational schools): classrooms (instruction in class groups), school's own computer rooms, and workshops. For practical training, learning takes place in the offices and workshops of design studios, for example.

This is a vocational training profession (Ausbildungsberuf). The type of training is school-based, conducted at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) and Berufskollegs (vocational colleges), regulated by state law (landesrechtlich geregelt). The training duration is 2 years. Learning locations are Berufsfachschule/Berufskolleg and practical training companies. What does one do in this profession? Product design assistants are involved in the development and design of the external appearance of all kinds of products – from tableware to vehicles and means of transport, tools, and medical equipment. They contribute to designing and planning design concepts, including alternative solutions, in consultation with the client, and to defining a product's appearance. For this, they define the exact task and set the framework conditions in advance. Then they select surfaces and colors, form and material, create idea sketches, and draw models on the computer. They also consider the level of manufacturing costs. In addition, product design assistants...

Job title: Assistant for Product Design. Profession type: Berufsfachschule (vocational school) profession. Training duration: 2 years. Entry requirement: Usually a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss). What does one do in this profession? Product design assistants are involved in the development and design of the external appearance of all kinds of products – from tableware to vehicles and means of transport, tools, and medical equipment. They contribute to designing and planning design concepts, including alternative solutions, in consultation with the client, and to defining a product's appearance. For this, they define the exact task and set the framework conditions in advance. Then they select surfaces and colors, form and material, create idea sketches, and draw models on the computer. They also consider the level of manufacturing costs. In addition, product design assistants may organize logistics and material deliveries, and prepare presentations.

2 years

Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) and Berufskollegs (vocational colleges) select applicants according to their own criteria. If necessary, a selection process or aptitude test is conducted, which may include, for example, a subject-related creative task and a subject-related interview.

Recommended time values according to the KMK (Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) agreement: Cross-vocational learning area: 320 hours. Vocational learning area: 2,240 hours. Total hours: 2,560 hours. The division into subjects, learning fields, or projects is regulated in the Berufsfachschule (vocational school) ordinances of the Bundesländer (federal states). Example for the distribution of hours: Compulsory lessons: 1. General area: German: 1 weekly hour in the 1st year, 1 weekly hour in the 2nd year. English: 1 weekly hour in the 1st year, 1 weekly hour in the 2nd year. Economics and Social Studies: 1 weekly hour in the 1st year, 2 weekly hours in the 2nd year. General area total: 3 weekly hours in the 1st year, 4 weekly hours in the 2nd year. 2. Vocational area: Mathematics: 2 weekly hours in the 1st year, 2 weekly hours in the 2nd year. Presentation Technology: 1 weekly hour in the 1st year, 2 weekly hours in the 2nd year. Design: 4 weekly hours in the 1st year, 3 weekly hours in the 2nd year. Technology: 2 weekly hours in the 1st year, 2 weekly hours in the 2nd year. Business Administration: 2 weekly hours in the 1st year.

Ausbildung (vocational training) at public schools is generally free for students, but admission and examination fees may apply. Private schools, on the other hand, usually charge tuition fees. Additionally, further costs may arise, such as for learning materials, professional clothing, travel to the training facility, or external accommodation. Under certain conditions, students participating in vocational training can receive funding under the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG). More information: The BAföG: all information at a glance.

During theoretical and practical lessons, you will learn, for example: how to create market analyses for products (research, compare, and evaluate); how to design products considering aesthetic, functional, and ergonomic aspects; how to present designed products considering business management and marketing; how to apply manufacturing and processing techniques for wood, glass, metal, and plastic technology; how to select suitable materials and process them considering sustainability and customer orientation; how design concepts are analyzed, developed, and realized; how to apply and implement knowledge of design theory and design principles; what to consider when planning and designing three-dimensional objects on a PC; how to use computer-aided graphic systems to solve design problems; and how to use various presentation methods and design techniques.

You should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: In theoretical lessons: classroom instruction, possibly project work, reviewing content at home. In the school's own practical rooms and in the internship company: practical collaboration (under guidance): making design drawings, selecting materials, developing designs to production readiness, presenting models or designs. Environment: screen work in offices, changing workplaces. Requirements: creativity and a sense of aesthetics (e.g., for developing and designing products), dexterity (e.g., when assembling models, working with different materials), drawing skills (e.g., for sketching designs), technical understanding (e.g., for incorporating product functions into the design), customer orientation (e.g., creating designs according to customer specifications and wishes).

For an Ausbildung (vocational training) abroad, there are, for example, the following options: Austria. Training offers: AMS Ausbildungskompass (e.g., with the search terms "Produktdesign" or "Produktgestaltung").

No remuneration is paid for this Ausbildung (vocational training).

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for successful Ausbildung (vocational training): Art: e.g., to design products using color and form theory. Mathematics: e.g., to calculate surfaces and angles of inclination. German: e.g., to make agreements with customers and suppliers.

The following Ausbildung (vocational training) alternatives are available for the profession of Product Design Assistant: Design and Creation Field: State-certified Assistant for Interior Design, State-certified Designer - Applied Design, Jewelry and Devices, Technical Product Designer specializing in Product Design and Construction. Commonality: working on the development and design of products.

2 years

For the State-certified Assistant for Product Design (Glass), theoretical and practical lessons cover general topics such as glass and manufacturing technology, history of style and design, glass fusing and glass finishing (e.g., glass painting, grinding, engraving, flat glass finishing). Additionally, creative content such as drawing, form design, and surface design, design analysis and process, sketching and drafting phases, implementation of designs and constructions in a 3D-CAD system, and product presentation are taught. For the State-certified Design Technology Assistant with a focus on Product Design, theoretical and practical lessons cover general education subjects like German, social studies, English, ethics, scientific fundamentals, material science, and chemistry, as well as vocational subjects such as materials, graphics, descriptive drawing, constructive drawing, and lettering.

Assistant for Product Design is a school-based Ausbildung (vocational training) regulated by state law at Berufsfachschulen (vocational schools) and Berufskollegs (vocational colleges). It lasts 2 years and leads to a state examination.

This Ausbildung (vocational training) is legally regulated only in the mentioned Bundesländer (federal states) and leads to the following Abschlussbezeichnung (qualification title): Baden-Württemberg: State-certified Assistant for Product Design. Bavaria: State-certified Assistant for Product Design (Glass). Note: This qualification title is based on a school regulation of the educational provider approved by the Ministry of Education. State-certified Design Technology Assistant, with a focus on Product Design.

Prospective Product Design Assistants can improve their chances during their Ausbildung (vocational training) by acquiring additional qualifications, such as the Fachhochschulreife (university of applied sciences entrance qualification) as a basis for a later Studium (university degree). After their training, Product Design Assistants work in design studios and in the design or development departments of consumer and capital goods manufacturers. They can secure their employability by keeping their specialist knowledge up-to-date or bringing it to the latest standard through Anpassungsweiterbildung (adaptive training). The range of topics extends from product design to CAD. An Aufstiegsweiterbildung (advanced training) helps to Beruflich weiterkommen (advance professionally) and achieve leadership positions. It is logical to complete further training as a Gestalter (designer) in the field of Product Design. With a Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (higher education entrance qualification), one can also pursue a Studium (university degree).

In the Bundesland (federal state) of Baden-Württemberg, this Ausbildung (vocational training) lasts 2 years.

During theoretical and practical lessons, knowledge is imparted in areas such as: Compulsory subjects in the general area include religious studies, German, English, economics, and social studies. In the vocational area, topics covered are presentation techniques, mathematics, design (e.g., color and form theory, typography and layout, design analysis, process and history, usability visualization), technology (e.g., analysis, design and production of products, ecological and economic aspects, ergonomics), and business administration (e.g., types of businesses, manufacturing processes, basics of marketing, market research, cost and performance accounting). Project work and a design internship to develop manual-technical skills in handling various materials (e.g., wood, glass, plastic, textile), as well as computer technology/CAD (e.g., basics of data processing, website conception, image processing), are also included.

This Ausbildung (vocational training) is regulated by state law in some Bundesländer (federal states). For example, in Bavaria, it is regulated by the Vocational School Ordinance (Berufsfachschulordnung - BFSO) of May 25, 2023, last amended by the ordinance of August 07, 2025. In other Bundesländer such as Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia, there are no state-specific legal regulations.

At least a secondary school leaving certificate (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss) is required for this Ausbildung (vocational training). Further requirements may vary depending on the Bundesland (federal state) and the educational program.

In Bavaria, educational prerequisites include a Realschulabschluss, Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur), or Fachhochschulreife. An additional requirement is passing a 2-day artistic-design aptitude test.

In Baden-Württemberg, educational prerequisites include a Realschulabschluss or eligibility to attend the gymnasiale Oberstufe (upper secondary school).