How to Become a Product Designer

In an increasingly complex business environment, product designers play an important role in driving innovation, improving the user experience (UX), and creating products that achieve organizational goals. Product designers are hired to work on everything from educational tools to health care technology, and their efforts can result in consumer satisfaction, production efficiency, and business success. They can even enhance the lives of users by creating accessible products made with their needs in mind.

Individuals seeking information about how to become a product designer should explore what skills are needed for the role, what to expect in terms of salary and job outlook, and the steps to take to qualify for jobs in the field. Since product design is a competitive field, investing in an education program, such as a graduate-level design and innovation program, can be beneficial.

What Is a Product Designer, and What Do They Do?

Product designers use principles of design strategy to create simple solutions to complex real-world problems through user-centered products. They consider a blend of a product’s usability, aesthetics, and technical requirements as they craft solutions that are functional and ready to go to market.

When working on a project, product designers follow an iterative process that involves defining a goal or a problem that needs solving, conducting research, interviewing users and subject matter experts, brainstorming a solution, and making a prototype using design software. They then test their prototype, often with real users, and refine their design solution based on the prototype’s usability and users’ feedback before implementing and deploying the final product. 

Many product designers work at the intersection of creativity and technology, embedded in product teams for companies that offer software as a service (SaaS). However, they also work in a variety of other industries, including entertainment, retail, e-commerce, education, health care, manufacturing, and fashion.

Steps to Become a Product Designer

To start a career as a product designer, individuals need to have knowledge of UX design, business strategy, and research tactics, and a basic understanding of web coding as well as market analysis. They also need to have professional and technical communication skills, including presenting and persuasive writing capabilities. Aspiring product designers can acquire this knowledge and these skills by completing a degree program and building their portfolio of work through design challenges and on-the-job experience. 

Earn a Degree

While not all employers require product design candidates to hold a degree, many prefer that candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field such as design, fine arts, computer science, or engineering. While microcredential programs such as UX design boot camps are available, these don’t always cover the in-depth business and technical knowledge required of product designers. 

Those who have completed an undergraduate program can elevate their industry skills and competitive edge by earning a relevant advanced degree, such as a master’s in design and innovation. Earning a graduate degree can help individuals develop the knowledge and expertise needed to move into strategic design roles and even design management. 

Gain Job Experience and Develop Key Skills

Prospective and early career product designers can develop skills in the real world by participating in internships, externships, freelance work, design challenges, or volunteer projects, such as designing and launching an app for a nonprofit. Degree programs often help students develop their skills through hands-on work, including internships and group and independent projects. 

This experience prepares individuals to pursue entry-level positions in user experience and product design. These roles often require candidates to be skilled at conducting testing, such as A/B testing, heuristics, and usability testing, and at gathering insights from sales data, feedback surveys, and user satisfaction scores. Product designers also should be proficient in using technology such as design software to create user journey maps, mock-ups, and prototypes. 

Product designers need strong communication and collaboration skills as well, as many projects are worked on by a team of professionals, such as product managers, marketing managers, UX researchers, technical writers, and engineers who make sure the product works as designed. 

Additionally, product designers need empathy and emotional intelligence, as they’re more successful when they’re able to consider the perspectives of the intended product users. They should understand accessibility standards for designing products for people with disabilities, as companies in certain industries can face fines if they don’t comply with accessibility requirements. 

Build a Portfolio and Network

A product designer’s portfolio is a powerful asset that allows them to display their completed work and achievements and helps them secure more projects in the future. Product designers should collect their best work and compile it in a way that showcases their talent and design process. 

Building a network can help product designers stay connected and relevant as industries inevitably change. Keeping in touch with classmates, instructors, and coworkers — or joining a community of designers — not only is beneficial for references and landing job opportunities but also can be a source of support and resilience in a competitive job market.

Salary and Job Outlook for Product Designers

Talented product designers are in demand across all types of industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for web and digital interface designers in May 2024 was $98,090. Job growth for these professionals from 2024 through 2034 is projected to be 7%, which is faster than the average growth projected for all occupations. Industrial designers had a median annual salary of $79,450 as of May 2024, according to the BLS, and a projected job growth of 3% from 2024 through 2034.

Product designers typically work as full-time employees, as contractors, or on a freelance basis for tech corporations and businesses of all sizes. After expanding their abilities beyond the associate level, product designers may even be ready to move into a design consulting position or a leadership role, which may command a higher salary.

Pursue a Degree That Prepares You to Excel

Launching a career in product design calls for the ability to scope work, research, strategize, innovate, demonstrate, and collaborate with employees and stakeholders to address complex user and business needs.

Future product designers can boost their skills and marketability by earning a relevant degree, such as the Master of Arts in Design and Innovation from Tseng College at California State University, Northridge. The fully online degree program empowers midcareer professionals by enabling them to gain the creative expertise and business insights necessary to excel as product designers and thrive in evolving industries.

Students of this graduate program complete three stackable certificates in the following areas:

• Design Strategy and Systems
• Design Experiences and Interactions
• Design Leadership and Impact

Each certificate’s coursework is designed to help students develop practical and relevant skills and grow into professionals who can confidently oversee design strategy, development, and creative leadership. Earning all three certificates culminates in a master’s degree that demonstrates students’ expertise and commitment.

Learn more about the program and how it helps professionals prepare for a rewarding career as a product designer.