Product Designer

About MAKE

MAKE is a part workshop, lab, studio, and garage, offering a diverse range of programs focused on building creative skills and process learning in making, design, engineering, and art. It is supported by a wide range of professional-grade machinery, tools, and facilities.

MAKE is home to a community of entrepreneurs, experimenters, designers, artists, DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, learners, and creators. Our mission is to support and grow a culture of making in Abu Dhabi, providing makers with the resources and knowledge needed to turn ideas into reality.

Our mission is built on two key pillars:
• Enabling the makers' community through our makerspace and services
• Building community capabilities through educational programs

We welcome makers of all ages and experience levels - from beginners to professional designers. MAKE is a place where people with different creative abilities come together to explore, learn, and create.

Job Summary

The Product Designer role is suited for a practice-led designer who is comfortable working across concept development, prototyping, and design communication.

The role will contribute to design-led projects, support the development of design thinking within MAKE’s programs and services, and provide design input across both community-facing and client-facing initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Product Design & Applied Development

• Contribute to product design development across in-house initiatives, research-led explorations, and client-supported projects
• Develop and prototype design concepts independently and in collaboration with technical consultants
• Support the translation of design concepts through prototyping, testing, and refinement
• Apply user-centered and context-aware design principles in all design work

Knowledge-Sharing & Educational Contributions

• Lead the day-to-day execution of assigned educational programs
• Develop and deliver presentation-led sessions, including lectures, talks, or seminars related to product design
• Participate in design critiques, reviews, and Q&A sessions
• Contribute to strengthening MAKE’s community learning environment

Consulting & Design Support Services

• Support design development within consultation services and prototyping projects
• Participate in client-facing discussions, translating project briefs into design approaches
• Advise on design feasibility, materials, and production considerations
• Collaborate with fabrication teams to ensure design intent is successfully executed

Workshops, Collaboration & Safety

• Work comfortably within workshop environments and lead prototyping activities
• Collaborate with consultants across disciplines such as ceramics, woodworking, metalwork, fashion, and digital fabrication
• Follow and support workshop safety protocols and responsible material use

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Design
• Professional experience in product design and concept development
• Strong understanding of design methodologies and production processes
• Hands-on experience with prototyping tools and techniques
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Experience contributing to applied or research-led design projects is preferred
• Experience delivering talks, lectures, or design critiques is preferred
• Familiarity with packaging design or product systems is an advantage