Be the Artistic Engineer with a Career in Product Designing

Do you ever daydream about making products that could do simple tasks for you and make your life easier? Have you ever looked at an ordinary everyday product and thought that there was so much more that could have been done with it? Do you want to do engineering and still not let your creativity die out? Well then, this blog talks about a career in product design and how you can pursue it.

A Product Designer is someone who designs innovative and creative products from scratch. They make products that are not only designed well but also make a targeted task much easier to do by using the product.

Product Designers stand on the border between art and engineering: they use their artistic capability to conceptualize and draw a blueprint of a product and then use their knowledge of engineering and science to actually make it. They take a product beyond just performing a simple task to being extremely efficient, functional, and easy to use as well as visually appealing to the target consumers of the product. A career in the field of product design could be for those who have a creative and innovative approach to life.

Why become a product designer?

Becoming a product designer can be an excellent career choice for individuals who are interested in creating innovative and useful products that solve real-world problems. Here are some reasons why you might consider becoming a product designer:

1. You get to solve real-world problems: As a product designer, you have the opportunity to work on products that can solve real-world problems. You can design products that make people’s lives easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
2. You can express your creativity: Product design is a highly creative field where you can use your imagination to come up with unique and innovative solutions. You can apply your creativity to the design of products that look beautiful, are easy to use, and meet user needs.
3. You can work with cutting-edge technology: Product design is a field that is constantly evolving, and you will have the opportunity to work with the latest technology and tools to design products that are both functional and beautiful.
4. You can work in a variety of industries: Product designers are in demand across a wide range of industries, including technology, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods. This means that you can work in an industry that interests you and find a product design job that aligns with your passions.
5. You can make a positive impact: Product design has the potential to make a positive impact on people’s lives. By designing products that are sustainable, accessible, and inclusive, you can make a real difference in the world.

What does Product Designer do?

As a product designer, you will be required to fulfill the following roles and responsibilities.

• You will consult with your client regarding the designs and for any changes to further modify them.
• You will try to minimize the cost of manufacturing and production and examine the quality of the material to be used in making the product.
• You will either focus on a particular product category or may involve in many product lines.
• You will conduct the testing of the product.
• After getting the approval of the design, you will create the physical model of the design.
• You will ensure the proper functioning of the product and evaluate its safety and appearance.
• As a product designer, you will be required to use various tools and machines to create the product.
• You will use software to create the 2D and 3D Computer Aided Designs (CAD) and Computer Aided Industrial Design (CAID) to help the manufactures and production departments.
• You will conduct the research in the market to develop or innovate new ideas.
• You will prepare the reports and samples of the various stages of the designing process to present before the clients.
• You will be required to have the technical knowledge to work with industrial tools, machines, and equipment.
• Sometimes, you will be required to travel to the client’s production centers to make a presentation for design proposals.
• You will coordinate with the sales, marketing, and production department for negotiating the contracts.

Popular Specializations in Product Designing

Product design is a broad field that encompasses a wide range of specializations. Here are some of the most popular specializations in product design:

1. Industrial Design: Industrial design focuses on the design of physical products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, furniture, and toys. Industrial designers use their knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and user needs to create products that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective.
2. User Experience (UX) Design: UX design focuses on the user’s experience with a product, such as how easy it is to use and how it meets their needs. UX designers conduct user research, create user personas, and develop user interfaces to ensure that the product is intuitive and easy to use.
3. User Interface (UI) Design: UI design is the visual design of a product, including the layout, typography, and color scheme. UI designers create visual prototypes and style guides that are used by developers to build the product.
4. Packaging Design: Packaging design focuses on the design of product packaging, including the shape, color, and materials. Packaging designers consider the product’s branding, target audience, and distribution channels when creating packaging that is functional, attractive, and sustainable.
5. Automotive Design: Automotive design focuses on the design of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Automotive designers consider factors such as aerodynamics, safety, and ergonomics to create vehicles that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.
6. Medical Device Design: Medical device design focuses on the design of medical equipment, such as prosthetics, diagnostic tools, and surgical instruments. Medical device designers work closely with healthcare professionals to create products that are safe, effective, and easy to use.

How to Become a Product Designer – Eligibility Requirement

Post Graduate students can pursue Product Design course at UG as well as PG level.

1. If a student wants to pursue a product design course at the graduation level, he/she must have completed 12th in any stream (Arts, Science, or Commerce) from a recognized board.
2. Applicants are also eligible for admission if they have completed a three-year full-time engineering diploma or a one-year foundation course in design from a recognized college.
3. In order to secure admission to the Product Design course at the PG level, candidates must be graduates in Arts, Science, Commerce, or Engineering.

Skills required to become a product designer

Studying a degree course in design and creativity requires different skills from the person doing the course. Product Design is a technology and design-based course subject that requires applicants to have good drawing skills as well as the ability to understand consumer needs.

As a product designer, you must have skills in problem-solving, generating solutions to various problems, communication, fundamentals of computing, computer-aided design, and creativity, and must be organized. As the subjects of their courses are based on practical learning tools rather than theory, they should have a good knowledge of the course basics.

In addition to skills, the course requires attention to detail and dedication to the course.

Product design courses

There are many institutions in India that offer product design courses at various levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programs. Here is a list of some of the popular product design courses in India:

1. National Institute of Design (NID) – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design
2. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design
3. Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design
4. MIT Institute of Design – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design
5. Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay – Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Mobility and Vehicle Design
6. DSK Supinfocom International Campus – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design
7. DJ Academy of Design – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design
8. World University of Design – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design
9. Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) in Product Design, Master of Design (M. Des.) in Product Design

Top Institutes offering courses in Product Design

Now that you know how to become a product designer let’s have a look at some of the Indian as well as international institutes which offer courses in product designing.

Indian Colleges offering courses in Product designing

Here is a table of 10 popular Indian colleges offering courses in Product Design, along with their location:

Colleges	Location
National Institute of Design	Ahmedabad
Industrial Design Centre, IIT-B	Mumbai
Instrument Design and Development Centre, IIT Delhi	New Delhi
Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing (CPDM), IISc	Bangalore
Department of Design- IIT Guwahati	Guwahati
MAEER’s MIT Institute of Design	Pune
Srishti School of Design	Bangalore
DSK International School of Design	Pune
IILM School of Design	Gurgaon
Raffles Millennium International	Delhi

International Colleges offering courses in Product Designing

Following are some of the top International Colleges offering courses in Product Designing along with their location

Institutes	Location
Pratt Institute of Art	New York City, USA
Art Center College of Design	Pasadena, California, USA
Florence Design Academy	Italy
Carnegie Mellon University	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Royal College of Art	London
California College of the Arts	San Francisco, California, USA
Savannah College of Art and Design ‘SCAD’	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design	Hong Kong, China
UMEA Institute of Design	Umea, Sweden
Domus Academy	Milan, Italy

What Does It Takes to Become a Design Engineer

Fees structure

The fee structure for a career in product design can vary significantly between Indian institutes and international institutes. It’s important to note that the information provided here is general, and specific fees can vary based on the institution, location, program level, and other factors. Here is a general overview:

Indian Institutes:

1. Undergraduate Programs: The fees for a bachelor’s degree program in product design at Indian institutes can range from approximately INR 2 lakh to INR 10 lakh per year. The fees can vary based on the reputation and ranking of the institute.
2. Postgraduate Programs: For a master’s degree program in product design in India, the fees can range from approximately INR 2 lakh to INR 15 lakh per year. Again, the fees can vary depending on the institute.

International Institutes:

1. Undergraduate Programs: The fees for a bachelor’s degree program in product design at international institutes can vary significantly depending on the country and institution. In some countries, such as the United States, the annual tuition fees for international students can range from around $20,000 to $50,000 or more.
2. Postgraduate Programs: The fees for a master’s degree program in product design at international institutes can also vary widely. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, the annual tuition fees for international students can range from approximately $20,000 to $60,000 or more.

Job Opportunities

As an Industrial/Product designer, you will get various job opportunities in manufacturing firms, designing consultancy firms, retailing trades, studios, factories, industries, the R&D sector, private consultancies, government departments, and colleges/universities.

1. At the entry-level, you can join for an internship working as a junior or assistant product designer working under senior designers.
2. Many private manufacturing firms will hire you as a design engineer or software engineer.
3. You will get an opportunity as a research analyst.
4. You will get the job as a graphic/web designer in various studios.
5. After your PG, you will be hired as an Assistant Manager in production departments of many engineering, daily products, etc. manufacturing firms.
6. Most of the universities and colleges will hire you as a professor in the position of junior professor or assistant professor.
7. You will be hired as a freelance designer.

Top Product Designing Companies in India

India is well known as the largest IT outsourcing resource in the world. Based on the IBEF report, Indian IT companies have established more than 1,000 global delivery centers in around 80 countries around the world

Here are some top product design recruiters in India:

1. Tata Elxsi
2. Infosys
3. Wipro
4. HCL Technologies
5. Mindtree
6. Accenture
7. IBM India
8. Tech Mahindra
9. ThoughtWorks
10. Zensar Technologies
11. Cisco Systems India
12. Honeywell Technology Solutions
13. SAP Labs India
14. Oracle India
15. Adobe Systems India

Product Designer salary in India

The average salary of a product designer in India is INR 6.13 lakh per year including bonuses, gross profit, and commission. A product designer with 0 to 1 year of experience can earn an average of INR 498,809 per year (including tips, bonuses, and overtime pay). An early career product designer with 1-4 years of experience can earn around INR 582,877 on average.

A product designer with an established career and 5-9 years of experience can earn an average of Rs 1,243,357. A highly experienced Product Designer with a well-established career and experience of around 10-19 years can earn an average of Rs 1,024,085.

Career progression in Product Designing

Still, wondering if product designing is a good career? Then read this section.

As a junior designer will move to the senior positions such as senior product designer, senior graphic designer, senior technical designer, etc. After the experience of 10-12 years, you will move to the managerial positions such as project manager, production manager, general manager, plant manager, etc.

Career growth in university and college states from the assistant professor and then associate professor, professor, and professor emeritus. Professors can also get administrative positions such as Director/Dean/Vice Chancellor, etc.

Conclusion

A career in Product design offers immense career opportunities and therefore there is tremendous scope in this career field. Product Designers are demanded by industries as they require fresher ideas and newer innovative products and designs to make sure consumers are always interested in buying their products. The profession is the right mix for those who possess technical knowledge and a creative streak.

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Also Read:

• Designing Courses After 12th
• Best Interior Designing Colleges in India
• Best Interior Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Career as a Visual Communication Designer
• Career as Fashion Designer
• Become a Design Engineer
• Fashion Designing Colleges in Delhi
• How to Become a Fashion Designer

Career in Product Design: FAQs