Product Design As A Career
AKA: Definition: Anything that is physical or non-physical in nature that solves user’s problems or address specific needs in a specific market
Process includes: Imagining, creating and Iteriaration
Examples of Product Design
- iPhone: A product that revolutionized communication and digital interaction.
- Coca-Cola Bottle: One of the most iconic examples of packaging design.
- Post-It Notes: A simple but brilliant solution for quick note-taking.
- Camera: Constantly evolving to meet user needs in photography and video.
- Pens: A basic tool, yet designed for comfort, efficiency, and style.
A Few Facts About Product Design
- The Global product /services design market is $11,087.88 Billion
- The Indian Product/ service design Market is $ 2713.9 Million
- Initiatives by the government of India Includes Indian design Council, Design India, India Design ID
- The Leading countries in design in the world are USA, Italy & Japan
- The Indian design Industry is witnessing growth between 23-25% Y-Y
- There are a total of 25 lakh designers employed in India
- There are a total of 200 Design studios in India
- Majority of the design studios are located in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru
- Typical buyers of design services include Appliance manufacturer, Machine tool manufacturers, Automotive Industry , Furniture Manufacturers, Retail Industry , Hospitality Industry, Telecom & IT , FMCG ,Banking & Insurance, Publishing houses, Apparel and Footwear, Pharma companies, Education Institutions, Real Estate etc
At Mad School, success is more than just a goal - it’s a tradition. Over the years, we have proudly trained and mentored hundreds of aspiring designers to clear design competitive entrance exams like NID (National Institute of Design) and UCEED(Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design). With our focused coaching, personalized guidance, and fun practice sessions, many of our students have successfully secured admission into India's top design institutes through NID Coaching and UCEED Coaching with us. By setting the foundation for their bright careers as Product Designers. Whether it’s mastering design fundamentals, building an impressive portfolio, or developing strong problem-solving skills, Mad School has been the trusted family partner for students passionate about making their mark in the world of design.
A Career in Product design
Imagine Simple products such as Pens, Pencils how they are made and the significant impact they create in our daily Life. Have you ever thought about how they are made? What would the world be like without it? Would you like to be in a career that you would like to create a direct life changing impact in other life and leave a mark? A personal yet significant signature in the society, that’s what you can resonate in other peoples life as a Product designer. So, are you ready to change the world with this potential Skill?
The question here is:
- How do I get started?
- What to study?
- Skills required being a part of this industry?
Product design has always been associated in India with Engineering. It’s also known as Engineering. My opinion personally is to keep these disciplines not as one but In silos as the Approach and practice are different when it comes to Execution. While a product designer comes up with Ideas in solving potential problems through stakeholders engineers figure out a way in executing them in the best possible manner. A core focus for the product designer will be the Form, Functionality and the context to which is applied, an engineer will focus on Mechanism, precision and safety. A common fact that bridge between engineer and a designer is the solution that is arrived through the form of Experiments. A Product designer’s role also includes that of a project manager in overseeing the product development from Ideation to Execution stages.
A conventional thought that is circulated among masses about a designer is the role of an artist. Let me at this stage quote a statement shared by Steve Jobs. He is reported to have said in one of the presentations that the common notion about design is Decoration. He says it was the farthest meaning he had heard about design. Design as a discipline is all about creativity considering its fluid nature; it's a discipline wedged between Art and Science. Design is a Modern construct dating back to its importance from the 1960s. It follows a definite process and does carry the standard laws of regulation. This process in Design is called Design Thinking which may be a new concept to many. It’s nothing but a simple, structured and scientific process that is followed in creatively solving problems through a process of teamwork. It includes Define-Ideate-Prototype-testing –Execution. Interestingly to say the success of this Design thinking formula has now been applied across several disciplines in coming up with creative solutions to several problems across the board.
Skills Required
A person who decides to step into the world of PD should definitely carry passion, Interest and creativity. I know creative is a loaded word. But here creativity need not just be limited to Drawing skills. Not all of you are equipped with everything. You can inherently be good problem Identifiers and solvers, you can have an excellent vision, some of you might have the natural observation skills, and some of you may be good constructive critics ….Anyone who possess this skills and dream of creating an impact in the society through their ideas can destined to be a part of this creative Industry. One of the things that will take you a long way and would be to consider your skills seriously if you possess formal training in this area. There are several UG/PG/PHD programs available in India and Abroad in this regard. A background in any of the science subjects would add as a vantage point.
Additional Skills Required
- Visual designing skills
- UI /UX Design skill
- Research & Observation skills
- Empathy
- Collaborative & Team work
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Curiosity and Tinkering skills
- Computer & Software
- Selling & Marketing skills
- Fulfilling Commitment & Promises
What’s a Day in the Life of a Product Designer?
- Market collaboration : Working with a team of developers, Marketers, Designers, in brainstorming ideas on a product
- Continuous Testing , building and assessing prototypes of different build
- Continuously evolving the training parameters for developers and designers alike
- Ensuring proper feedback from the end user and for further development
Career Options for Product Designers
- UI/UX Designer
- Product Manufacturer
- Advertising director
- Design consultant
- Marketer
- Product manager
- Furniture designer
- Automotive designer
- Interior designer
- Color technologist
- Exhibition designer
- Industrial designer
- Production designer
- Senior product designer
- Product Engineering
- Clothing and textile technologist
Salary Structure of a Product designer in India ( Depending on Experience ( 1 year -10 years )
| Position | Salary ( Per Annum ) |
|---|---|
| Product Design Associate | Rs 4 -9 lakh |
| Product designer | Rs 3 to 9 lakh |
| Sr Product designer | Rs Rs 8-19 lakhs |
| Principal Product designer | Rs 29 to 42 lakh |
| Chief product Officer | Rs 30 to 50 lakh |
| Chief Product Designer | Rs 25 to 30 lakh |
Leading Institutes Offering Product Design Programs
- National Institute of Design
- Indian Institute of Technology
- Meers Institute of Technology
- World University of Design
- UID
- Strate School of Design
- Dy Patil University of Design
Admission to these Universities is for students who successfully clear the prescribed Admission guidelines through entrance exams, Interviews and tests. The UG programs are for a period of 4 YEARS and PG programs consist of 2 years.
There are several coaching Institutes that facilitate students for an all-round preparation in successfully clearing the examinations. An Ideal time for any student to commence preparation will be post their board examinations. This will give them ample time to prepare and maintain a healthy balance between their regular studies and Coaching.
Contact MAD School for expert coaching in NID and UCEED entrance preparation.
Available in Chennai and Ernakulam
Call: 995 975 0006
