Who is a Product Designer?

To all those who has ever squinted at me when I say, “I’m a Product Designer.” Yes, you’ve heard it right. But wait a minute, what in the world does that mean? Is it about designing products? What kind of products? Let’s break it down, shall we?

It’s Not Just About “Products”

First things first, let’s tackle the word “product.” When you hear “product,” you might think of a shiny new gadget, a car, or maybe a fashionable handbag. And you’re not wrong. But in the world of product design, a product can be almost anything — a physical object, a software application, a service, or even a process. Essentially, it’s anything that can be offered to a market to satisfy a want or need.

Product Design in a Nutshell

Product Design — it’s the process of identifying a market opportunity, clearly defining the problem, developing a proper solution for that problem, and validating the solution with real users. Simply put, it’s about creating new products or improving existing ones to enhance user experience and meet specific needs.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Go ahead and search ‘Product Designer’ on LinkedIn. You will see UI/UX designers, Industrial Designers, Interaction designers and on and on and on. The role of a product designer can vary wildly depending on the industry and company. Let’s take a peek into two vastly different worlds where product designers play a vital role.

Tech Company Product Designers: Wizards of the Digital World

Imagine working for a tech giant like Apple or Google. As a product designer in a tech company, you’re like a wizard whose spellbook is filled with knowledge of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design. You’re not just making things look pretty; you’re ensuring that apps and software are intuitive, user-friendly, and solve real problems. It’s like being an architect, but instead of buildings, you’re designing digital experiences.

Automotive Company Product Designers: Sculptors of Speed

Now, shift gears and think about an automotive company like Tesla or BMW. Here, product designers are more like sculptors, but instead of chiselling away at marble, they’re shaping the future of transportation. They combine aesthetics with aerodynamics, and comfort with functionality. They work on everything from the curve of the steering wheel to the layout of the dashboard, ensuring that driving is not just a task, but an experience.

What Exactly Does a Product Designer Do?

Okay, so we’ve established that product design can be about a lot of things. But what do product designers do? In simple terms, they identify problems, brainstorm solutions, create designs, and test them out. It’s a cycle of understanding what people need, imagining how to meet those needs, bringing those ideas to life, and then tweaking them until they’re just right.

The Many Faces of Product Design

Product design isn’t a one-size-fits-all career. It’s a kaleidoscope, each piece reflecting a unique aspect of this diverse field. Here are some of the key types:

UI/UX Designers / Interaction Designers: The digital maestros. They focus on creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interfaces for apps and websites. Their goal is to make your digital experience as intuitive and enjoyable as possible.

Think of the designers at Spotify. They work tirelessly to ensure the app is not only visually appealing but also easy to navigate, allowing you to find your favourite music effortlessly. Their role is pivotal in making your digital interactions enjoyable and intuitive.

Industrial Designers: The tangible creators. These designers are all about physical products — from your sleek new smartphone to the ergonomic chair you’re sitting on. They blend art, science, and technology to create products that are not only functional but also appealing.

Consider the team behind the Dyson vacuum cleaners. Their innovative designs have revolutionized a mundane household tool into a piece of sleek, efficient, and user-friendly equipment. They blend aesthetics with practical functionality to improve everyday life.

Service Designers: The big-picture thinkers. These designers look beyond individual products and design entire systems or services. They consider the user’s journey from start to finish, ensuring a seamless and satisfying experience.

Take the example of Airbnb. Service designers have meticulously crafted the customer journey from browsing listings to booking stays, ensuring a seamless and satisfying experience that extends beyond just a digital interface.

The Swiss Army Knife of Skill Sets

Being a product designer is like being a Swiss Army knife — you need a bunch of different tools (skills) at your disposal. These include:

• Creativity and Imagination: You need to dream up innovative solutions to everyday problems.
• Technical Skills: This includes everything from sketching to 3D modelling to coding (especially for digital products).
• User Empathy: You’ve got to put yourself in the shoes of the person using your product. How will they use it? What will make their life easier?
• Problem-Solving: You’ll face challenges and need to figure out how to overcome them.
• Communication: You’ll be explaining your ideas to your team, clients, and maybe even the end users.

Why Consider a Career in Product Design?

Now, you might be wondering, “Why should I consider product design as a career?” Well, let me give you a few compelling reasons:

Creativity Unleashed: If you love thinking outside the box and bringing innovative ideas to life, product design is your playground.

Impactful Work: As a product designer, you have the power to shape the way people interact with the world around them. Your designs could make someone’s life easier, more enjoyable, or even more sustainable.

Diverse Opportunities: With so many specializations, product design offers a plethora of paths. Whether you’re passionate about digital products, physical goods, or sustainable design, there’s a niche for you.

Collaborative Environment: Product designers often work in multidisciplinary teams, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment. You’ll interact with engineers, marketers, UX researchers, and more, ensuring no two days are the same.

Ever-Evolving Field: The world of product design is constantly changing, especially with technological advancements. This means continuous learning, growth, and the chance to stay at the forefront of innovation.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it. Being a product designer means you’re part inventor, part artist, and part psychologist. Whether you’re crafting the next hit app or designing a car that could be in the next sci-fi flick, your goal is the same: to create something useful, usable, and desirable.

Now, next time someone asks you what a product designer does, just tell them it’s like being a magician — but instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, you’re pulling ideas out of thin air and turning them into real, tangible things that make people’s lives a little bit better.

And who knows, maybe one of these days, you’ll be designing something they can’t live without!