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How to Become a Product Designer? – A Complete Guide

Products and services available to consumers today must be thoughtfully designed, taking into account structural integrity, functionality, user safety, and various other critical factors.

APS Admission Panel 4/28/2025 13 min read 4/28/2025
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How to Become a Product Designer? – A Complete Guide

Products and services available to consumers today must be thoughtfully designed, taking into account structural integrity, functionality, user safety, and various other critical factors. Product designers are the experts who imagine new concepts and create prototypes that bring these ideas to life. With numerous specializations to explore, product designers are in high demand, playing a vital role in improving user experiences and elevating overall quality of life.

The field of product design is broad, diverse, and welcoming to individuals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds. Its accessible entry points, attractive career prospects, and competitive salary packages make it an appealing option for many. In this blog, we explore these factors in detail to help you determine if a career in product design is the right choice for you.

What Makes Product Design a Great Career Choice?

Product design is a broad career field that welcomes both technical and non-technical individuals. It offers numerous professional benefits, making it an appealing option for many. Below are some of the key reasons why pursuing a career in product design can be a highly rewarding choice.

    Product Designer's roles and responsibilities

    After exploring the reasons to pursue a career in product design, let's now examine the key responsibilities tied to this role. As the title implies, a product designer is engaged in the different phases of creating a conceptual design for a product (whether technical or non-technical), overseeing its transition into a physical product, and continuously refining the prototype to address user issues and pain points. The diagram below highlights some of the primary responsibilities associated with this role.

    Key Skills Needed for Product Designing

    The ideal candidate for this role should possess a blend of technical expertise and essential soft skills. Product designers need both creative vision and technical acumen to thrive, and this section highlights the key competencies necessary for success in this position.

    1. Essential Technical Skills and Knowledge for Thriving as a Product Designer

    While non-technical professionals can explore careers in product design, having a basic level of expertise is crucial for success. This involves proficiency in design software to develop attractive 2D and 3D designs. Below are the essential technical skills needed for this role.

    Key Skills 

    Specifications

    Designing Softwares

    I possess advanced proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, and others.

    Prototyping & Wireframing 

    Proficient in creating both 3D and physical prototypes for design testing and development.

    UI & UX

    Possessing a deep understanding of core areas within user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, as well as aspects such as human-centered design, usability testing, and more.

    Manufacturing Processes 

    Having a deep understanding of material properties, common manufacturing techniques, and industry best practices is essential for industrial product and physical designers.

    Graphic Designing 

    Skilled in using design software and tools to craft visually engaging and impactful product prototypes.

    Frontend Development

    Having a solid understanding of coding fundamentals and frontend development is essential for Digital Product Designers when working on digital products.

    User Testing 

    Utilizing different testing methods such as A/B testing, heatmaps, user surveys, and other tools to collect user feedback and insights, ensuring the design aligns with user requirements and expectations.

    2. Soft Skills to Succeed as a Product Designer

    In addition to technical expertise, a product designer must also have essential soft skills. Creativity and innovation are fundamental to this role, along with strong interpersonal communication abilities. More details on the important soft skills required for this position are outlined below.

    Key Skills 

    Specifications

    Creativity & Innovation 

    The ability to imagine solutions and generate innovative and creative concepts for product designs, which in turn fosters innovation.

    Problem-Solving Aptitude 

    Skilled at analyzing challenges, generating creative solutions, and executing them efficiently to ensure successful outcomes and smooth delivery.

    Collaboration & Teamwork 

    Collaborating and communicating seamlessly across different teams to improve the effectiveness of problem-solving in a cohesive manner.

    Communication Skills 

    Skilled at effectively conveying design concepts to stakeholders and convincing them to gain their support.

    Attention to Detail

    Focusing on both the fine details and broader elements of product design, swiftly spotting mistakes, and maintaining accuracy and precision in the creation of product prototypes.

    Time Management 

    Handling multiple deadlines for product deliverables while simultaneously managing several product designs, all without sacrificing the quality of the results.

    What are the Career Opportunities in Product Designing (Types of Options available in Product Designing)

    Product designers have the flexibility to specialize in various domains, such as technology, automotive design, interior design, manufactured products, software design, and more. This wide range of options creates numerous career opportunities within the field. Both technical and non-technical sectors offer attractive compensation for both fresh graduates and experienced professionals, making product design an appealing and lucrative career choice.

    The field offers open opportunities, allowing creative individuals with the necessary technical expertise to pursue roles in product design across various industries. Below are some key job areas in this field that aspiring product designers can explore.

    Career Option

    Average Salary (Per Annum)

    Industrial Designer 

    INR 7.45 LPA

    Product Designer

    INR 11 LPA

    UI/UX Designer 

    INR 5.5 LPA

    Interaction Designer (IxD)

    INR 9.5 LPA

    Visual Designer 

    INR 7.5 LPA

    Design Researcher 

    INR 15 LPA

    Design Consultant

    INR 7 LPA

    CAD Technician 

    INR 4.49 LPA

    Interior Designer

    INR 3.07 LPA

    Career Analysis: Scope of Product Designing

    In addition to understanding the job's nature, it's equally important to consider the industry trends and demands related to the role before selecting a career path. This section explores the scope of a career in product design, focusing on its industry demand, the financial investment required to become a product designer, and the long-term growth potential in this field.

    1. Fees & Cost Involved in Becoming a Product Designer

    There are numerous open-source and full-time courses available to enhance skills in product design. Several prestigious institutions and organizations offer online courses for free on MOOC platforms, while colleges and universities nationwide provide full-time degree programs such as B.Des and M.Des in this field.

    The financial investment needed to become a product designer depends on factors such as the type and level of the course, the institution offering it, and the chosen mode of study. In India, several online degree programs in UI/UX design, product management, product design, game design, and more are available, often at more affordable rates compared to traditional in-person options. Below are some of the popular online courses in product design.

    Product Designing Courses 

    Approximate Course Fees

    Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Product Designing 

    INR 3,50,000

    Master of Design (M.Des) in Product Designing 

    INR 6,00,000

    Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate

    Free to Enroll

    Online certification in the ‘Product Ideation, Design, and Management Specialization’ offered by the University of Maryland.

    Free to Enroll

    Advanced Certification in UI UX Design by IIIT Bangalore

    INR 1,06,200

    Professional Certification in Product Management by SPJIMR

    INR 1,64,999

    Online UX/UI Bootcamp by CalTech 

    INR 1,06,000

    Online Executive MBA for Digital Product & Design

    INR 2,00,000

    Online M.Des in User Experience 

    INR 6,50,000

    Online Master’s Certificate in Game Design

    INR 1,40,000

    Google UX Design Professional Certificate

    Free to Enroll

    2. Career Growth Trajectory of Product Designing 

    The career path of a product designer is highly promising, with potential salary increases of up to 100% over the span of a decade. As professionals gain more experience and deepen their specialization, they can anticipate significant boosts in compensation. The expected growth in this field is outlined below, based on current compensation data.

    Career Navigator: What Course to Pursue for a Career in Product Designing?

    Both technical and non-technical students and aspirants can explore opportunities in product design, with various UG and PG level courses available. At the undergraduate level, individuals can pursue degrees in relevant specializations such as design (for both technical and non-technical backgrounds), engineering, or technology (for technical backgrounds). Furthermore, postgraduate options like M.Des, online certifications, executive programs, or PG certifications also offer pathways for further specialization in this field.

    The career pathway to venture into product designing has been outlined below for students and aspirants. 

    The career pathway to venture into product designing has been outlined below for students and aspirants.

    India boasts a diverse range of design institutions offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses for both students and working professionals. These institutions, including both public and private ones, offer programs such as B.Des and M.Des for those seeking to further their design education.

    Conclusion

    Product design is an interdisciplinary and evolving field that provides students and aspiring professionals the chance to combine their creativity and technical expertise to create innovative products that improve user experience and quality of life. This career path is ideal for those seeking financial stability, growth opportunities, and a platform to express their creativity.

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