Notes on Product Designer Career

Introduction

• Speaker: Shirish
• Overview of product design as a career
• Importance of product design in the modern world
• Video covers key points about product design and career preparation

What is Product Design?

• Definition: Creating new products for businesses to sell to customers
• Examples of product design:
  • Perfume bottles
  • Home furniture
  • Electronics (iPhone, AirPods, laptops)
  • Food products (Oreo cookies)
• Role of a product designer:
  • Creates and refines products for user experience
  • Works with engineers, marketers, product managers, etc.
  • Focuses on understanding customer needs and behaviors

Future Scope and Job Opportunities

• Demand for product designers is increasing
• India needs over 62,000 designers, but only 7,000 are certified
• Product design career growing at a CAGR of 10.36% (2021-2028)
• Potential career paths:
  • Associate Product Designer
  • Senior Product Designer
  • Principal Product Designer
  • Staff Designer
  • CAD Technician
  • Marketing Manager
• Companies hiring: Amazon, Meta, IBM, Apple, Google, etc.

Salary Expectations

• Entry-level salary in India: 5 to 10 lakh rupees
• International average salary: $92,000 to $130,000
• Senior positions can earn up to $200,000

Skills Required for Product Designers

1. Aesthetic Skills
   • Creativity and an eye for design
   • Understanding of materials and production methods
2. Technical Skills
   • Proficiency in CAD software
   • Ability to create 3D models
   • Knowledge in UI/UX design
3. Organizational Skills
   • Coordination between teams
   • Planning workload and budgets
4. Communication Skills
   • Effective communication with technical and non-technical individuals
   • Ability to produce written reports
5. Other Skills
   • Curiosity, growth mindset, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, creativity, leadership

Roles and Responsibilities of Product Designers

• Identify new product opportunities
• Analyze market needs and customer preferences
• Set design requirements based on briefs
• Sketch drafts and use CAD for designs
• Research materials and techniques
• Produce prototypes and test functionality
• Improve existing product designs
• Manage projects and lead teams

Roadmap to Becoming a Product Designer

1. Education
   • Knowledge through online research and courses
   • Recommended subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Math or Computer Science
   • Recommended degrees:
     • Bachelor's in Product Design
     • Industrial Design
     • Visual Arts
2. Postgraduate Education
   • Advanced degrees may deepen knowledge
3. Online Courses
   • Enroll in introductory and advanced courses (Coursera, Udemy)
   • Recommended reading: "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman
4. Experience
   • Internships for practical experience
   • Freelancing to build a portfolio

Conclusion

• Product design offers creative challenges and growth opportunities
• Essential skills: research, problem-solving, communication, technical knowledge, organization
• The field is expanding and becoming increasingly vital in various industries

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