Product design is about designing new user-friendly products that solve problems for people. It’s a field that combines creativity with engineering and user experience to create products that are not only useful but also beautiful and user-friendly. If you’re curious about becoming a product designer, you need to understand what the job requires and what skills you need to be successful. This career guide will give you an overview of what product designers do, the skills they need, and how to start your career in product design.
Types of Product Designers
Product design in the software space involves creating the overall user experience and interface for a software product, such as a website, mobile app, or desktop application. Many different types of product designers focus on various aspects of this process, including the following:
- UX designer: A UX (user experience) designer is focused on understanding users’ needs, motivations, and behaviors and designing solutions that meet those needs seamlessly and intuitively. This often involves conducting user research, creating user flows, wireframes, and prototypes, and testing the design with users.
- UI designer: A UI (user interface) designer focuses on the visual and interactive aspects of a product, creating the look and feel of the product and the design of the interactions and transitions that users experience. This often involves skills in visual design, layout, and typography, as well as an understanding of user-centered design principles.
- Product designer: A product designer is responsible for the overall design of a product, from the initial concept and strategy to the final design and implementation. This often involves working closely with cross-functional teams, such as product managers, developers, and researchers, to create a cohesive and effective product.
- Motion designer: A motion designer focuses on creating a product’s animations, transitions, and other dynamic elements. This often involves skills in motion graphics and video editing, as well as understanding how motion can enhance the user experience and communicate the product’s brand and message.
- Visual designer: A visual designer focuses on the visual aspects of a product, such as the color scheme, typography, imagery, and overall aesthetic. This often involves skills in graphic design, as well as an understanding of how visual design can support the user experience and brand of the product.
There are many different types of product designers in the software space, each with their unique skills and focus. The type of product designer you become will depend on your interests, experience, and the needs of the product or team you are working with.
Types of Product Design Skills
Digital product design involves creating the overall user experience and interface for a software product, such as a website, mobile app, or desktop application. To be successful in this field, a digital product designer should possess the following skills:
- User-centered design: A successful digital product designer understands the needs, motivations, and behaviors of the users of the product and designs solutions that meet those needs seamlessly and intuitively. This requires conducting user research, creating personas and user flows, and testing the design with users.
- Visual design: A successful digital product designer has a strong understanding of visual design principles, such as color theory, typography, and layout, and can create designs that are visually appealing and effective at communicating the product’s message and brand.
- Interaction design: A successful digital product designer understands how to design the interactions and transitions that users experience when using a product and can create user flows, wireframes, and prototypes that visualize and test these interactions.
- Collaboration and communication: Digital product design is a team sport so a successful digital product designer can work well with others, including cross-functional teams such as product managers, developers, and researchers. They can also communicate their design decisions and rationale to stakeholders effectively.
- Continuous learning: The field of digital product design is constantly evolving, so a successful digital product designer is a constant learner who stays up-to-date with the latest design trends, techniques, and tools. This can include staying active in the design community, attending conferences and workshops, and experimenting with new design software and methods.
A successful digital product designer has a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Developing these skills allows a digital product designer to create effective and engaging products that meet users’ needs.
Product Design Tools
There are many tools available for product designers, including the following:
- Sketch: Sketch is a popular vector graphics editor for creating user interface designs, wireframes, and prototypes. It offers a variety of features for creating and organizing design elements, collaboration, and version control tools.
- Figma: Figma is a cloud-based design tool that offers teams real-time collaboration and version control. It provides a range of features for creating user interface designs, wireframes, prototypes, and integration with other tools such as Jira and InVision.
- Adobe XD: Adobe XD is a design and prototyping tool that offers a range of features for creating user interface designs, wireframes, and prototypes. It integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud tools, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, and offers collaboration and version control features.
- InVision Studio: InVision Studio is a design and prototyping tool that offers a range of features for creating user interface designs, animations, and prototypes. It integrates with other InVision products, such as InVision Cloud and InVision Craft, and offers collaboration and version control features.
- Marvel: Marvel is a design and prototyping tool that offers a range of features for creating user interface designs, wireframes, and prototypes. It integrates with other tools, such as Trello and Slack, and offers collaboration and version control features.
The best tools for product designers will depend on their individual needs, preferences, and project requirements.
Best UX Schools for Product Design
User experience (UX) design/product design is a field that focuses on creating positive and seamless experiences for users of a product or service. Many great schools offer programs in UX design, including the following, according to U.S. News and World Report:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of California – Berkeley
- Cornell University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Washington – Seattle
- University of Texas – Austin
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
- University of Maryland – College Park
It’s important to note that a school’s ranking is one of many factors to consider when choosing a program in UX design. Other factors, such as the specific program curriculum, faculty, and opportunities for hands-on experience, should also be considered.
Best UX Bootcamps for Product Design
User experience (UX) design boot camps are intensive training programs designed to teach the skills and knowledge needed to become a UX designer quickly. Some of the top UX design boot camps, according to reviews on Course Report and Switchup, include:
- General Assembly
- Career Foundry
- UX Boot Camp – Denver University
- Designlab
- The UX School
- UX Design Institute
As with choosing a college or university program, it’s essential to consider factors such as the curriculum, faculty, and job placement support when selecting a UX design boot camp. It is also helpful to talk to boot camp alums and read reviews to get a sense of their experience.
Online Learning Resources
Many online resources can help you learn digital product design, including the following:
- Coursera: Coursera offers a wide range of online courses and programs in digital product design taught by instructors from top universities and companies.
- Udacity: Udacity offers a variety of self-paced and project-based courses in digital product design and nano degree programs that provide a more structured learning experience.
- Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free online courses and tutorials in computer science and design, including topics in digital product design.
- edX: edX offers online courses and programs in digital product design from a variety of institutions, including MIT, Harvard, and the University of California – Berkeley.
- Skillshare: Skillshare offers a wide range of online classes and workshops in digital product design taught by industry experts and professionals.
In addition to these online resources, many books, videos, and tutorials are available on digital product design. Choosing the right learning resources for your individual learning style and goals is essential.
