Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

There are a number of different design areas. These can be grouped in the following way:  

• Fashion and textile design (clothing, jewellery, shoes, carpets)

• Graphic design (using illustration, print and photography to convey a message)

• Product design (furniture, domestic appliances, cars, ceramics)

• Interior design (homes, offices, exhibitions).

• In each of these areas designers might work in industry, designing things for mass production, or on small scale projects in workshops, either on their own or with just a few other people (sometimes called designer-craftwork).  
   
  Whatever area they work in, all designers go through similar stages in their work. The first stage therefore is to do some research to ascertain what other products are on the market, what are the best materials to use, how much will it cost to make and how easy will it be to produce?  
   
  When they have all the information they need, the designer produces a series of drawings and rough sketches to show to the client. If these are accepted, they come up with a finished design and sometimes a working model or prototype. If the designer is working in industry these will be passed onto production staff that use them to make the finished product. Designers working on small scale projects often have to make the finished item themselves.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
• Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
• Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
• Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
• Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, sise, malleability and other characteristics.
• Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
• Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
• Plan and attend craft shows to market products.
• Create prototypes or models of objects to be crafted.
• Confer with customers to assess customer needs or obtain feedback.

Further Information

• Designer/maker- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

The usual route into design work is through a relevant degree or diploma course options. These are provided at a number of colleges and institutions throughout the country. People can develop their craft and business in tandem with other careers, or as their main job.

Design Skillnet 

Design Crafts Council Ireland

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: engineering operations, manufacturing, quality management, business, start up, general management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: art, portfolio prep, art craft, design, furniture, jewellery, ceramics, enterprise.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Engineering.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: design, furniture, interior, creative.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: arts, design, creative specialism.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €70k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience. Some design items are sold via a person own stad, stall, or site as a sessional career side line or main design role. 

Data Source(s):
CPL / Prosperity/ Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Weavers and knitters; Upholsterers; Footwear and leather working trades; Tailors and dressmakers Textiles; garments and related trades n.e.c.; Pre-press technicians; Printers Print finishing and binding workers; Glass and ceramics makers; decorators and finishers Furniture makers and other craft woodworkers; Florists Other skilled trades n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here

• Institute of Designers in Ireland

  • The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Thomas St., Dublin 8
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here