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.

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.

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 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.

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.