What does a Product Designer do?

Product Designers are responsible for creating and refining a range of products, from everyday goods such as mobile phones, household appliances and cars, to larger items such as industrial tools, equipment and machinery.

They are tasked with crafting user-centred design solutions that align with business goals and user needs.

Product Designer is a broader term that encompasses various design roles. A more specialised role that lies underneath this would be that of a Digital Product Designer. They focus on designing digital products such as websites, mobile apps, software interfaces, and digital services.

What are some of the soft skills needed?

  • Creativity
  • Good communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration

What about hard skills?

  • UI Design using design tools like Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, etc
  • UX Design, creating user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes
  • Understanding typography principles and layout design
  • Coding basics - A basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and even JavaScript
  • Familiarity with user research techniques, such as interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to inform design decisions
  • Knowledge of colour theory, composition, and visual hierarchy to create visually appealing designs

What is the typical progression pathway of a Product Designer?

Product Designers start their careers as Junior Product Designers. In this role, they will assist more experienced designers and learn the fundamentals of design principles, tools and methods.

As they gain experience, Junior Product Designers work more independently on design projects as a Product Designer. They create wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs. They also collaborate with user experience (UX) designers and developers to implement design solutions.

Progressing further, product designers can rise to the level of Senior Product Designer or Chief Design Officer. These roles provide leadership to multiple design teams and drive innovation within design practices.

What are some possible entry points into this field?

You can consider pursuing a degree in areas like Product Design, Graphic Design, UX Design, or Industrial Design.

Additionally, you can enhance your skills through courses such as Flipside, design courses offered by General Assembly, and the Google UX Design certificate. More design courses can be found at Domestika.

Furthermore, gaining pre-entry experience is highly desirable in this field, which you can acquire through industrial placements, freelance work, participation in design competitions, involvement in exhibitions, or working on specific design projects.

What is the starting salary for this profession?

Starting salaries typically range from £34,438 per year for Junior Product Designers to £56,925 per year for Product Designers, with Senior Product Designers earning around £78,880 per year.*

Which top industries are hiring Product Designers?

  • Technology
  • Fintech
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
  • Transportation

Figures sourced from Glassdoor.