Are you thinking of becoming a product designer or working in the design and development space? Does the idea appeal to you, but you’re not sure exactly what the market, or how to get into it?
There’s not a huge amount of information out there for those looking to get into the product design and development space. So, if you’re interested in this profession, you might be wondering what the next step for you is – or even if you have what it takes.
Chances are, you’re already quite good at art and you may be a very creative person. But there’s more to the product design and development market than simply coming up with creative ideas – You can learn about this from a company in UK, known as Bluewhalemedia.
Before you start, ask yourself:
Do I really want to design and develop products? Many students in this area drop out during the first year of their degree because they enrolled on the program thinking it was an easy choice. In reality, to be good at developing and designing products, you will need to be skilled in business, marketing, sales, science, electronics, mechatronics, manufacturing, user experience, and a whole lot more. To make your brand Outshine Everybody visits Dawn Creative Official website.
And, above all you need to be adaptable. The definition of product design and development is always changing, due to technological advances and rapidly changing markets. In a nutshell, product designers and developers are tasked with connecting with both engineers and consumers to create useful, well-thought-out products and services.
So, do you have what it takes?
Education
The minimum educational requirement for this market is typically a bachelor’s degree. Common majors include:
- Industrial design
- Architecture
- Engineering
Many programs also require that students complete at least one year of basic art and design programs during their freshman year, such as the basic principles of design and sketching. You may also find it useful to complete a program in computer assisted design (CAD), production methods, engineering, 3D design, or industrial materials and processes, which may be useful if you are considering a career in CNC machines services, sheet metal fabrication, or prototype molding.
During your undergraduate years, you may also find it useful to complete a relevant internship that allows you to gain real world experience for your future career and build a portfolio of work, enabling you to become a stronger candidate once graduated.
Tools Worth Becoming Familiar With
It’s a common misconception that product design and development is all about doing practical stuff. The truth is that an education or career in this area covers a broad range of subjects that you will need to read about, too. You’ll be expected to read books and journal articles on:
- Design history
- Design
- New design movements
- Design trends
Reading design blogs and following popular design websites is an ideal way to stay up to date in this rapidly changing field. In addition, it’s worth becoming accustomed with the following design tools:
- Illustrator
- Photoshop
- Premier Pro
- After Effects
- AutoCad
- InDesign
- Alias StudioTools
- Solidworks
- Microsoft Excel
- Web Applications – HTML, CSS, ASP, Flash, PHP
But, bear in mind that your most powerful tool as a product designer or developer is your paper and pencil. It is rare that you would ever start up your computer to begin designing a product without sketching an idea first. Most of the time, you’ll find that struggling to put an idea down on paper means that you’ll struggle to put it into CAD.
Getting Experience
When looking for a relevant degree program, it’s worth trying to find one that offers at least one years’ industry-related experience. A degree program that allows you to take one year out between your second and third, or third and final years to get experience working in the industry is ideal, not only for developing your skills and knowledge, but also when it comes to finding employment in the future.
If you’re struggling to get a work placement, another option that you might want to consider for gaining experience is to enter as many design competitions as you can. Even if your work doesn’t win, it’s the experience that counts; many design agencies are no stranger to rushed projects, and this can quickly prepare you for working as a product designer in the real world.
Networking
Along with getting the desired education and experience behind you to work in product design and development, building your network in the design world is also crucial. Keep networking as much as possible; you can start small by networking with your classmates and then begin to branch out by attending industry networking events.
LinkedIn is also a great tool to use for networking, regardless of your industry. This social network will become your professional profile and can be used to find job opportunities, find new connections and keep up to date with the latest from the product design industry. Make sure to join several design groups and connect with as many people as you can. And stay as active as possible on LinkedIn.
The Skills You Need
To be successful in this market, you need more than simply good design skills. According to UX Collective, you will also need the following personal and professional traits:
- Communication
- Articulation
- Collaboration
- Problem solving
- High work ethic and standards
- Professional development
In addition, you will also find the following leadership and teamwork skills useful as a product designer:
- Coaching and peer development
- Decision making and accountability
- Strategic planning
- Organizational skills
So, what are the top ten skills and traits desired from a good product design and development specialist?
In order of importance, they are:
- Interaction/UX design skills
- Visual design skills
- Communication and articulation
- Collaboration
- UX design skills
- High work standards
- Efficiency
- Decision making skills
- User research and user testing
- Customer and user focus.
Understand The Importance Of Testing Out Your Products
Products need to be tested before they go to market, so it’s important that you learn about this as part of your work in the product development and design market. Try working collaboration with companies such as RapidDirect, who provide rapid prototyping services through CNC machining. Having quality protypes will be essential to your role in the product development and design market in terms of user testing. There is information on this type of machining here. RapidDirect also offer user-friendly support such as online quotes, real-time order tracking and more, so you can quickly and efficiently create your prototypes and have them ready to test and experiment with. Using RapidDirect’s quick and easy service will allow you to swiftly identify practical flaws or issues with your designs and adapt it to meet the needs of your target market.
Finding a Job In Product Design And Development
Once you’ve graduated from university, it’s time to find a job. Bear in mind that you’re likely to be starting from the bottom, but as with most career options in IT and tech, the opportunity to work your way up through hard work, dedication, and proving your skills will always be there.
Landing your first job:
You’ll need to demonstrate that not only do you have the required education for your ideal role, but also the range of skills that most companies require. One of the best ways to find your first job in product design and development is through your professional network, so keep in touch with classmates, attend industry events as regularly as possible, and stay active on LinkedIn.
Or start your own business:
As an experienced individual with knowledge of the product design and development space, you also have the freedom to freelance or start your own business. Product design and development is an aspect that’s often outsourced, so it can be a very lucrative business idea. However, bear in mind that you’ll be up against a lot of competition. In order to succeed with your own business, you will need to put a lot of time and energy into fine-tuning your entrepreneurial, business and marketing skills.
Have you decided that a career in product design and development is right for you?