Product Designer vs. UX Designer: A Complete Guide to Their Roles and Differences

The demand for design professionals is skyrocketing, and it’s easy to see why. As businesses focus more on creating user-friendly products, roles like Product Designer and UX Designer have become some of the hottest positions in the industry. 

In fact, companies have found that increasing their UX budget by just 10% can lead to an 83% boost in conversions—proof that good design really drives success. Both aim to create seamless experiences, but the paths they take and skills they use can vary. 

In this blog, you’ll see the breakdown of the roles, responsibilities, and key differences between Product Designer vs. UX Designer—helping you figure out which path might be the best fit for you. Let’s get started!

What is a Product Designer? A Comprehensive Overview

A Product Designer is responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of a product's design, from conceptualization to implementation. They are responsible for performing research, ideation, prototyping, testing and ultimately shaping the product's aesthetic and functional aspects. 

Core Responsibilities and Daily Tasks

Here is a look at the daily tasks and core responsibilities handled by a product designer.

• Product Research: Conducting user and market research to guide design decisions.
• Wireframing and Prototyping: Creating wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize concepts.
• Visual Design: Designing visual elements like layouts, typography, and colour schemes.

Essential Skills and Expertise Required

Product designers should have the following skills and expertise to manage their tasks smoothly.

• UI/UX Design: Expertise in creating user interfaces and crafting positive user experiences.
• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and InVision for designing prototypes.
• Visual Design: Strong understanding of visual design principles.
• Research Methods: Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

If you are looking to learn all about research methodology, consider signing up for upGrad’s Introduction to Research Methodology course.

Notable Examples of Successful Product Designs and Their Influence

Here are some noteworthy examples of successful and insufficient product designs. 

• Apple iPhone: The product design of the iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry.
• Airbnb Website and App: Airbnb's intuitive platform design focuses on simplicity and ease of use.

To learn about design thinking, you can take up the Introduction to Design Thinking course offered by upGrad.

Also Read: Product Design in Operations Management: Overview, Skills & Salary  

Next, you can read about the core roles and responsibilities of a UX designer.                                                    

What is a UX Designer? Role and Responsibilities

A UX Designer is primarily focused on creating user-centric and frictionless digital experiences. Their goal is to ensure that the user experience (UX) is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, enhancing both usability and satisfaction. 

Also Read: How To Become a UI/UX Designer? A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide in 2024

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Have a look at the primary roles and responsibilities of UX designers. 

• User Research: Conducting surveys, interviews, and user testing to gather insights.
• Wireframing and Prototyping: Designing wireframes and interactive prototypes to create product structure.
• Iterating Designs: Continuously improving and refining designs.

Key Skills and Expertise Required

These are the main skills and expertise that every UX designer should possess.

• User Research: Ability to conduct thorough research to gather user insights.
• Prototyping and Wireframing: Skilled in creating low and high-fidelity wireframes, and prototypes.
• Collaboration Skills: Effective communication and teamwork with cross-functional teams.

Noteworthy Examples of UX Design in Websites and Digital Products

Here are some noteworthy examples of UX design in digital products and websites.

• Spotify: Focuses on ease of use and personalization.
• Apple: Clean, minimalistic design across products.

Now, you will learn about the differences between a product designer and a UX designer. 

Also Read: UI/UX Designer vs Front End Developer: Differences Between UIUX Designer & Front End Developer 

What is the Difference Between a Product Designer and a UX Designer?

Product Designer vs. UX Designer often overlap, but they focus on different aspects of the product development process. 

Here's a detailed breakdown of how Product Designer vs. UX Designer roles differ across various parameters.

In the next section, you can learn about the essential similarities between these two fields. 

Also Read: Product Designer Salary in India in 2024 [For Freshers & Experienced]

Product Designer vs. UX Designer: Essential Similarities 

Despite the distinct responsibilities of Product Designer vs. UX Designer, several key similarities tie these two roles together. 

Both Product Designer vs. UX Designer positions prioritize user-centered design and team collaboration. 

The ultimate goal for both Product Designer vs. UX Designer is to enhance user satisfaction and create seamless, intuitive experiences. 

To be a professional product designer or a UX designer, you need to first sharpen your skills through relevant academic courses. upGrad can help you to cultivate the skills you need for these types of roles.

Also Read: Enhancing User Experience with GenerativeAI: Personalization and Recommendation Systems

How Can upGrad Help You Build a Career in Design?

upGrad provides numerous courses on product design and UX design that can help you explore your creative skills in a design career. 

Here are some of the popular product design and UX design courses you’ll find with upGrad. 

• Master of Design in User Experience
• UI/UX Design Course  Pro 
• Object Oriented Analysis and Design for Beginners

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Reference 
https://uxcam.com/blog/ux-statistics/
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/user-experience-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm 
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/product-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm