If you wish to start your career
as a product designer, then you are on the right page. Today, we are going to
discuss what it entails to become a product designer. In the job market, a
product designer may also be referred to as user experience, customer experience
architect or user interface designer. All these designations may vary from
company to company. At the end of the day, a product designer identifies real
people with real problems and using design thinking, he or she comes up with
solutions to those problems. Be it iPhone or Google Maps, they are all result
of product designers taking a strategic approach to come up with solutions to
your problems.

1. 1. Know your tools: To come with the best product from the users’ point of view, you need knowledge of various tools that would help you sketch, illustrate and visualise. There is no single software that would help you do that. There are different software available that cater to different design aspects. To kickstart your product design, you need to be conversant with software like Figma, Illustrator, Invision, Sketch, just to name a few.
   2. Gain necessary skills: While it is important for you to have technical skills, it is equally important that you possess presentation skills, communication skills, the ability to work to deadlines and problem-solving skills. These skills are valued by prospective employers. Remember when it comes to product design, it’s all about paying attention to the users’ journey. The ability to empathise with users is the most important skill that you need to come with an interface of your product.
   3. Build your portfolio: It’s a good idea to have a portfolio to showcase your skills to prospective employers. Having work experience can help you build your portfolio. However, if you are a student and new to product design, setting up a blog or website can be helpful. You can also take part in industrial design competitions.

1. Study product design: A qualification in the field of product design can help you give your career a great kickstart. Doing a product design course will help you gain a deeper understanding of concept development, applied creativity, prototyping, and experimentation. Learning these skills in a structured way can help you to have an organised train of thought. Just through your portfolio, the other person will be able to understand how a problem was assessed and how it was addressed. All this possible if you have an organised workflow.