How to Become a Product Designer in India?

Product Designer is a fascinating and fulfilling career choice. The blend of logic, creativity, value and financial earning it offers makes it a lucrative option. If you are someone who is on path of becoming a Product Designer or someone who is considering Product Design as a career, this article is for you where we explore all the necessary details you need to take an informed decision towards your dream career.

What Is a Product Design?

Product Design is making or improving a product in a way that it is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Product Design blends the foundation of design, functionality, design thinking, and prioritizes enhancing user experience. Products can range anything from a small industrial accessory to large industrial products, from a website to a phone etc.

What Does a Product Designer Do?

Product Designers usually wear multiple hats to establish a comprehensive design process. The general responsibilities they juggle can be broadly classified into:

1. Research and Analysis

The first and foremost step of design process is research and analysis of the issue or idea. An in-depth research and analysis help refine requirements, cost, timeline and feasibility.

2. Ideation

This if where the creative horses are on loose and strategic thinking comes out. A series of ideas are brainstormed.

3. Designing

The ideas formed start taking shape here. Usually sketching or CAD is utilized in this part of job.

4. Prototyping

Once the design is ready, prototyping brings it to life. Final mock-ups of the product are created in this.

5. Testing

Once the prototype matches the desired attributes, product designers test then for any error or missing functionality.

Product Designer Responsibilities

Responsibilities of a Product Designer varies from role to role, company to company and often project to project but they are mainly:

• Conceptualizing a new product, feature or improvement.
• Designing new products/features.
• Improving the design of existing product/feature.
• Market, product, material or technology research.
• Understanding the requirements and feedback.
• Making prototypes and testing them.

What is the Importance of Product Designers?

Product Designers are essential for success of any product whether its physical or digital. Their importances comes from their ability to bring user needs and business goals together while keeping the product looking the part. They bridge the gap between a smooth user experience, lasting business value, reflecting brand identity, appealing design, functionality and innovation. Product Designers are crucial to not only make the product work well but to also stand out from the competition and build a connection with users, leasing to the success and popularity.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a Product Designer?

The diverse skillset required to become a Product Designer are as follows:
• Design and Strategic Thinking
• CAD Proficiency
• Visualization and Sketching
• Graphic Designing
• User Experience Designing
• Prototyping
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Technical Knowledge
• Communication and Collaboration
• Adaptability

How to Become a Product Designer?

The ideal path to becoming a Product Designer is usually:

Step 1: Complete 10+2 education

Step 2: Entrance Exam for the Bachelor’s Degree in Design

Step 3: Bachelor’s Degree in Design,

Step 4:

Option 1: Pursue Master’s Degree in Design.

Option 2: Courses or workshops to hone specific skills.

Option 3: Take an internship or start working.

The best suitable path for you will depend on the individual’s current education, skill, interest, and career goals. It is advised to thoroughly research before taking on any of these paths to your career.

Product Designer Salary and Job Outlook

A career in Product Design is promising and rewarding owning to the diversified demand across industries and geographies. While the entry-level pay is not always a huge amount, it surely and progressively increases with added years of experience and skills. Demand and opportunities are everywhere from manufacturing industry to tech and fashion, from small towns to big cities, from India to globe.
Average salary range for Product Designers in India is from ₹ 4 lakh to ₹ 26 lakh depending on level of experience, location, expertise, etc. Major hubs and certain industries pay a higher salary compared to smaller towns. Similarly, larger companies and design heavy companies pay higher.
The era of digitalization and social media where everything is out in open for a way wider audience to see, the focus on design has increased leading to a global level increase on demand for product designers. Hence, opening a world of global opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are Some Job Titles for Product Designers?

The job titles for Product Designers may vary as per the industry, company and specific job requirements, most common are:
Product Designer
Industrial Designer
Design Engineer
Product Manager

2. What Is the Average Salary for a Product Designer?

The average salary for a Product Designer ranges between ₹ 4 lakh to ₹ 26 lakh depending on experience and industry.

3. What qualifications do I need to be a product designer?

There are two kind of qualifications – formal education such as a Bachelor’s and/or a Master’s degree in Design or specific courses related to product design.

4. What course should I do to become a product designer?

The relevant courses can be divided in 3 categories.
• Bachelor’s degree in design from institute like STRATE
• Master’s degree in design from institute like STRATE
• Specific Courses or Workshops for specific aspect of product design such as sketching, CAD or design thinking.

5. Is it hard to become a product designer?

Becoming a product designer requires hard work and can be challenging but if you are passionate and dedicated you can overcome it.

6. How long does it take to become a product designer?

The time it takes to become a product designer will depend on factors like where you stand at present and what path you choose. A bachelor’s degree takes 3 years, Engineering takes 4, master’s 2 and specific courses could be few weeks to few months long. You can start with internship or entry level roles after any of these.