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What Is a Product Designer? Job Overview and Salary Details

What Is a Product Designer? Job Overview and Salary Details

Updated on 21 December, 2024

2.3K+ views

• 8 min read

Table of Contents

What is a product designer?
What Are a Product Designer's Responsibilities?
Essential Skills for a Product Designer
What Is a Product Designer's Salary?
Career Growth Opportunities for Product Designers
Industries Hiring Product Designers
How to Become a Product Designer
How upGrad Can Help You Build a Career in Product Design

Did you know that the apps, websites, and gadgets you love are shaped by product designers? These professionals make apps like Instagram, gadgets like your Fitbit, or even packaging for products like Apple’s AirPods easy to use.

What is a product designer?

A product designer is someone who creates and improves products. They think about how a product works and looks. Their focus is to make it useful and easy to understand.

Here’s what product designers do:

Design user-friendly products: Think about how tools like Google Maps look and feel.
Conduct research: Understand what users need and where they face challenges, like improving the Swiggy app interface.
Create prototypes: Test early versions of ideas, like a new layout for Flipkart’s shopping app.
Collaborate with developers: Work closely with teams to bring designs to life, as seen in Xiaomi’s gadgets.

Their work helps people in industries like technology, healthcare, and e-commerce. A product designer also designs physical items, like Samsung’s smartwatches or even Nike’s packaging.

What Are a Product Designer's Responsibilities?

A product designer has many responsibilities that help create products people love. Their job involves creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Here’s what they do:

Responsibility	What It Means
User Research	Study users’ needs through surveys, interviews, and testing.
Prototyping	Build early versions of products to test ideas and get feedback.
Designing User Interfaces (UI)	Focus on how a product looks, including layouts, colors, and fonts.
Improving User Experiences (UX)	Make the product easy and enjoyable to use.
Collaborating with Teams	Work with developers, marketers, and project managers to turn designs into reality.
Iterative Design	Refine and update designs based on user feedback and test results.
Solving Problems	Find creative solutions to improve the functionality of a product.
Staying Updated on Trends	Keep learning about new design tools, technologies, and industry practices.
Testing Products	Test how well the product works and fix any issues before launching.
Documenting Work	Create detailed design guidelines to help teams implement the design correctly.

Essential Skills for a Product Designer

To be a great product designer, you need a mix of technical skills and personal qualities. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Hard Skills

These are technical skills you need for the job:

UX/UI Design: Creating designs that look good and are easy to use.
Prototyping and Wireframing: Building rough models to test ideas and layouts.
Design Systems: Using tools and frameworks to keep designs consistent.
Basic Coding: Knowing some HTML, CSS, or JavaScript can help when working with developers.
Software Expertise: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.

Soft Skills

These are soft skills that make you good at your job:

Creativity: Coming up with fresh ideas to solve problems.
Collaboration: Working well with other team members.
Time Management: Meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects.
Attention to Detail: Spotting small issues to make the design flawless.
Empathy: Understanding what users need and designing for them.

What Is a Product Designer's Salary?

Product designers earn competitive salaries based on their experience, location, and the industry they work in. Companies value their ability to create user-friendly designs, making this a rewarding career choice.

Here’s a breakdown of salary ranges:

Experience Level	Salary Range (Annual)	Influencing Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	₹4,00,000 - ₹8,00,000	Basic design skills, small startups, or freelance work.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	₹8,00,000 - ₹15,00,000	Advanced UX/UI design skills, larger companies, team experience.
Senior-Level (6+ years)	₹15,00,000 - ₹30,00,000+	Expertise in prototyping, leadership roles, and top industries.

Source: Glassdoor

Location Matters

High-Paying Cities: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune.
Smaller Cities: Lower salary ranges but more entry-level opportunities.

Industry Variations

Tech Companies (e.g., Google, Microsoft): Offer the highest salaries.
E-commerce (e.g., Flipkart, Amazon): Competitive pay with opportunities to design customer-centric platforms.
Startups: May offer lower pay initially but include benefits like stock options or flexible work.

Skill Boost

Specialized skills like coding, advanced prototyping, or knowledge of tools like Figma and Sketch can increase your earning potential.

Career Growth Opportunities for Product Designers

Did you know the demand for product designers has grown by over 20% annually in industries like tech, e-commerce, and healthcare? With experience, you can move into leadership roles, explore new industries, or even work independently.

Here are some exciting career paths for product designers:

1. Senior Product Designer

This is the next step after gaining a few years of experience.
Senior designers handle more complex projects and mentor junior team members.
Example: A senior product designer at Flipkart may lead the redesign of their mobile app interface.
Average Salary in India: ₹12-18 LPA

2. UX Strategist

Focuses on creating long-term design strategies to improve user experiences.
Works closely with business teams to align designs with company goals.
Example: At Zomato, a UX strategist might plan how to make food ordering faster and easier for users.
Average Salary in India: ₹10-16 LPA

3. Design Manager

Leads a team of designers and ensures projects are completed successfully.
Involves project planning, team management, and quality control.
Example: A design manager at Microsoft might oversee the design of new features for Office 365.
Average Salary in India: ₹15-25 LPA

4. Freelance Product Designer

Work independently and take on projects from multiple clients.
Offers flexibility and the chance to work on a variety of products.
Example: A freelance designer could work on a website for a local business and a mobile app for a startup simultaneously.
Average Salary in India: ₹8-15 LPA (project-based, varies based on workload).

5. Head of Design

Leads the entire design department in a company.
Sets design standards, manages teams, and influences company decisions.
Example: A Head of Design at Apple might oversee the design of both hardware (like iPhones) and software (like iOS).
Average Salary in India: ₹25-50 LPA

6. Design Consultant

Advises companies on how to improve their design processes and products.
Often works with multiple industries to bring fresh ideas and solutions.
Example: A design consultant might help a healthcare company improve their patient portals.
Average Salary in India: ₹12-20 LPA

7. Creative Director

Focuses on the creative vision of products and branding.
Combines product design with marketing and storytelling.
Example: A creative director at Nike might design how products are presented online and in stores.
Average Salary in India: ₹18-30 LPA

8. Product Manager

Shifts into managing the entire product lifecycle, from design to launch.
Uses design knowledge to collaborate with engineers and marketing teams.
Example: A product manager at Swiggy could oversee the development of a new in-app feature.
Average Salary in India: ₹15-28 LPA

Industries Hiring Product Designers

Product designers are in high demand across multiple industries as companies focus on creating better user experiences.

Tech and Software Development:
Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Adobe need designers to create innovative apps, software, and tools.
E-commerce:
Businesses such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra hire designers to create user-friendly shopping platforms and mobile apps.
Healthcare:
Hospitals and health-tech companies like Practo and Medibuddy rely on designers to create patient-friendly apps and healthcare tools.
Gaming:
Gaming companies like Ubisoft and EA Sports hire designers to enhance gameplay visuals and interfaces.
Consumer Goods:
Companies like Nestlé and Unilever need designers to create appealing product packaging and branding.

How to Become a Product Designer

If you want to become a product designer, here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Earn a Relevant Degree or Certification

Start with a degree in design, user experience, or a related field.
Enroll in certification programs from portals like upGrad.

2. Master Design Tools

Learn tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch.
Understand prototyping tools like InVision and Marvel.

3. Build a Portfolio

Create a collection of your best design work.
Include user interface designs, prototypes, and problem-solving projects.

4. Gain Practical Experience

Work on internships or freelance projects.
Collaborate with developers to understand the design-to-development process.

5. Stay Updated with Trends

Follow design blogs and communities like Behance or Dribbble.
Learn new tools and techniques to stay competitive in the field.

How upGrad Can Help You Build a Career in Product Design

upGrad offers specialized programs in UI/UX design and product design, tailored to meet industry needs.

Whether you’re starting your journey or looking to upskill, upGrad’s courses are designed to help you succeed in the competitive field of product design.

Explore upGrad’s programs today and kickstart your career in product design!

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Browse our Popular Management Courses and select the ideal program to boost your expertise.

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Post Graduate Certificate in Product Management	Human Resource Analytics Course from IIM-K	Professional Certificate Programme in HR Management and Analytics
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Source:
https://www.ibef.org/industry/ecommerce
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/product-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/senior-product-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/user-experience-strategist-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/design-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/freelance-product-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a product designer and a UX designer?

A product designer focuses on the entire product journey, including visuals, functionality, and user needs. A UX designer mainly works on the user experience, ensuring the product is easy and enjoyable to use.

2. Do you need a degree to become a product designer?

Not necessarily. While a degree can help, many product designers succeed with the right skills, a strong portfolio, and certifications in design tools or UX principles.

3. What is the most popular software for product designers?

Some of the most widely used tools are:

Figma
Sketch
Adobe XD
InVision

4. How do product designers collaborate with developers?

Product designers work with developers by:

Sharing design files and prototypes.
Communicating design ideas clearly.
Using tools like Figma and Zeplin to bridge the gap between design and code.

5. What industries have the highest demand for product designers?

Industries with high demand include:

Technology and software.
E-commerce.
Fintech.
Healthcare.

6. Can a graphic designer transition into product design?

Yes! Graphic designers already have strong visual skills. To transition, learn UX/UI principles, practice with design tools like Figma, and create a portfolio with product design projects.

7. What is the future of product design in 2025?

Product design will continue to grow, especially in fields like AI-driven interfaces, voice design, and augmented reality. Designers who adapt to these trends will have an edge.

8. How do I build a strong product design portfolio?

Include 4-6 of your best projects.
Show the process behind your designs, not just the final result.
Highlight problem-solving and user research.
Use tools like Behance or a personal website to showcase your work.

9. What challenges do product designers face?

Some common challenges include:

Balancing user needs with business goals.
Keeping up with new tools and trends.
Communicating design ideas to stakeholders.

10. Are certifications enough to get a job in product design?

Certifications help, but they’re not enough on their own. Employers look for hands-on experience and a strong portfolio. Certifications can complement your practical skills.