Career in Product Designing: Top Skills To Get You Hired and Succeed in Creative Field

Moving from the manufacturing industry to academia provides an interesting vantage point for examining design education in the context of real-world problems that designers are expected to solve. Aspiring product designers must cultivate a blend of creative, technical, intellectual, and communication skills to not only develop a real understanding of societal challenges but also to devise creative and sustainable solutions. Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, Dean - Foundation and Product Design, Pearl Academy, has shared some important skills that every budding product designer should develop.

Skills Every Product Designer Should Develop

Creativity and Innovation: The problems faced by society today are complex and require creative new approaches to solutions. Combining conventional wisdom with fresh ideas is often the most effective way to address these challenges. Designers must think outside the box to develop innovative solutions that meet user needs. Creativity is the driving force behind unique and compelling designs that stand out in the market.

Technical Proficiency: Technology, as both an enabler and a tool, becomes a strong asset for any designer. This includes knowledge of design software such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tools, 3D modeling, and rendering programs. Understanding materials, manufacturing processes, and prototyping techniques is crucial for converting ideas into testable concepts. Technical proficiency allows designers to efficiently bring their ideas to life. 

Integrated Design Thinking: Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Aspiring designers must learn to integrate this methodology into their workflow to create user-centric products. This means understanding the user’s needs, pain points, and behaviours, and designing solutions that enhance the overall user experience.

Sustainable Design Practices: In today’s world, sustainability is a critical consideration. Designers are key decision-makers in the early stages of the product development process, and their choices significantly impact the overall sustainability of a product and process. Designers must be aware of the ecological impact of their decisions on materials, processes, and applications, influencing the environment both locally and globally.

Effective Communication and Collaboration: Product design and launch is a team effort. Designers need to communicate their ideas to various stakeholders who either contribute to the product design process or use its outcomes. A product designer must interact with marketing, finance, engineering, sales, maintenance, and many other functions within the organisation. The ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and understandable form is crucial. Strong verbal and visual communication skills are essential for conveying design concepts, gathering feedback, and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Problem-Solving Skills: One of the main purposes of good design is to solve problems faced by users. Effective problem-solving requires both convergent and divergent thinking at various stages. Various problem-solving tools are developed and deployed at appropriate stages to envisage possible solutions or a range of solutions. The ability to generate multiple alternatives and choose the best option based on defined criteria is at the heart of any problem-solving endeavour.
Entrepreneurial Mindset and Design Management: Understanding the business aspects of design is becoming increasingly important. An entrepreneurial mindset helps designers think strategically about market needs, user demands, and economic feasibility. Knowledge of design management ensures that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality standards as defined by the end customer or user.

Global Perspectives and Cultural Sensitivity: In our interconnected world, product designers are often challenged to create designs for cultural settings different from their own. Cultural sensitivity and awareness of global trends help designers create products that resonate with a wider audience. This includes understanding cultural preferences, aesthetics, and user behaviours across different regions and cultures.

Continuous Learning and Adaptability: As in other fields, product design is constantly evolving with new technologies, materials, methodologies, and applications. Aspiring designers must embrace continuous learning and adaptability to stay relevant. This includes keeping up with industry trends and seeking updates through various means such as workshops, symposia, online education, and formal courses.

Aspiring product designers need a comprehensive skill set that encompasses creativity, technical proficiency, design thinking, sustainability, communication, problem-solving, business acumen, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to continuous learning. By developing these skills, designers can not only meet the demands of the industry but also contribute to shaping a better, more sustainable future through innovative product design.

(Disclaimer: Views expressed by Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, Dean - Foundation and Product Design, Pearl Academy, are personal. Republic World does not take any responsibility for it )