Want to break into Product design? Here is all you need to know

Every product created went through a design process, and this refers to the systematic procedures used to build a product from scratch to finish. The design process involves multiple stages which include brainstorming, research, prototyping, testing, and improvement. Seeing that more and more people are swaying towards tech, one of the most interesting tech fields to explore is "product design." If you are unsure about product design, you have probably not gotten enough information about the field, and here in this article, is all you need to know.  

What is product design?

Product design is the essential aspect of a product development process that meets the needs and expectations of the users. This typically means creating the visual and functional components of a product. While the final look of a product can be aesthetically pleasing, the most important facet to consider is if the product is usable and sustainable. 

Responsibilities of a product designer

• Research opportunities for a new product.

• Produce and test prototypes.

• Improve and enhance the functionality of existing designs.

• Use design software to design products and components.

• Understand the users' needs

• Conduct usability tests.

What problem does product design solve?

Products are designed because people have needs. People need to eat, schedule a task, get to a meeting, gain expression, and experience pleasure. So, technically, product design contributes to enhancing people's lives by providing them with new opportunities and experiences. People who view public transport as too much of a hassle can settle for Bolt or Uber, and individuals who do not have the luxury of time or energy to cook can opt for fast meals from Eden Life or Jumia Food. The goal of product design is to build products that are not only user-friendly but also marketable and easy to distribute. 

Who is a product designer?

A product designer is an individual who, with the right skills, tools, and expertise develops products that meet the needs of the users while also considering the technical, economic, and environmental limitations. 

The Core Components of Product Design

If you're looking to explore the fullness of product design, you need to understand that there are two essential components of the field: the "User Experience - UX" and "User Interface - UI" designs. Both concepts are commonly used in the product design field, so most product designers are referred to as UI/UX designers. Although product designers are expected to have a deep knowledge of both concepts, not all of them are UI/UX designers. While some of them may choose to specialize in only UI, others may be interested in being UX designers depending on their skills and interest. 

Types of Product Design Jobs

Based on the type and size of a project, product design can consist of different jobs and some of them include: 

User Researcher

A user researcher conducts a survey that will reveal users' needs, behavior, and preferences. The research can use different methods, including distributing questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Results from these methods are collated to gather ideas that will inform an effective design process. 

UI designer 

A user interface (UI) designer is responsible for creating all the interactive elements of a product. This includes the entire screen which usually has the style, tone, frame, and buttons. They design all interfaces a user can come in contact with and they include:

• Graphical user interface

• Voice-controlled interface

• Gesture-based interfaces

The overall feel of the design and how pleasing the product may look to the user is a very important detail a UI designer must pay attention to.

UX designer

UX designers are more concerned with how users feel while using the product which may include ease of use, accessibility, and satisfaction. They receive information from user researchers to identify vital points and implement proper usability and accessibility. 

UX Writer

Texts and words help users navigate a digital product better; UX writers are professionals who create these words and text in a clear, concise, and user-friendly language. Their content may contain copies of navigation menus, error messages, welcome messages, instructional texts, and several other product content. They work as a team with product designers to bring a product to life. 

Prototyper

A Prototype is a sample of what a product is supposed to look like. Usually, it is created, tested, and undergoes modification before it is presented as the final product. The responsibility of a prototyper is to build the prototype, test it and apply improvement where necessary. 

Product Engineer

The technical issues of any product are handled by a product engineer. Also, the technical requirements and specifications essential to complete a product design are fixed by the product engineer using computer-aided designs (CAD) and other related software. This means that it is important for them to work with the designers to execute this effectively. 

UI/UX designer

You can decide to work in both areas of the design process. Both roles are interwoven, and most product designers are usually skilled in both aspects. While some other designers may choose to specialize in only one aspect of the design, it is also possible to take up both. 

Important skills for a career in product design

• Creativity

• Design

• User Interface design

• User Experience design

• Good communication skills

• Basic writing skills

• Research skills

• Collaboration

• Maximum attention to detail

• Visual communication

Tools for product design

• Wireframing apps

•  Graphics design apps

• Journey mapping apps

• Prototyping tools

• Computer-aided design software (CAD)

• Project Management apps (Notion, Trello)

• Product Road map apps

Starting a product design journey

Embarking on a product design journey is more interesting and effective when you join a community. But, to start, several online course providers offer several product design courses you can explore. If you do better when you learn on-site with some guidance and directions, you can get enrolled in one of the several tech schools around. Wherever you choose to learn, it is important to note that joining a community will help you connect better with your skills. You can learn to be a product designer by learning on these platforms: 

• Coursera

• Udemy

• UX Academy

• LinkedIn Learning

• Edx

• ITD (Innovation through design)

Also, you can join the following online communities: 

• Dribble

• Designer News

• UX Mastery

• Site point

• Hacker news

• Design calendar

Here are also tech schools you can enroll to and attend physically to get the direction you need: 

• Techstudio Academy

• Stutern

• Digital bridge institute

• Grazac Academy

• Tech4Dev

Wondering if Product Designers are paid well?

According to the information obtained from Glassdoor, the average monthly salary for a product designer in Nigeria is NGN225,500. 

Product design is an engaging and lucrative career for anyone interested in it. However, it is important to note that creativity and problem-solving are the core of the field.