Product Designer Career Path

Starting a career as a product designer requires understanding the key steps, skills, and experiences needed for success.

In this article, we will outline the typical journey for product designers, covering educational requirements, entry-level positions, potential advancements, and long-term opportunities.

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

TL;DR

A product designer is a professional responsible for creating user-friendly and visually appealing designs for products, particularly in digital applications like software and websites. They focus on the overall user experience (UX) and user interface (UI), ensuring that the product is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The average base salary for a product designer in the United States is around $112,151 per year, according to recent data from Glassdoor. However, the actual salary can vary significantly based on several factors such as experience, location, etc.
A career in product design typically involves progressing through various roles that build on each other in terms of responsibility, expertise, and leadership. Here’s a typical career progression for a product designer, from junior roles to senior leadership positions:
- Junior Product Designer
- Product Designer
- Senior Product Designer
- Lead Product Designer
- Product Design Manager
- Senior Product Design Manager
- Director of Product Design
- VP of Product Design
- Chief Design Officer (CDO)
To become a product designer, you should start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as graphic design, industrial design, human-computer interaction, or a related discipline. Coursework in these programs typically includes design principles, UX/UI design, prototyping, and user research. Additionally, learning design tools such as Sketch, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite is essential.
Leveraging the right tools can greatly enhance productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Here are ten essential tools for various aspects of product design:
- Best tool for User Onboarding and Engagement – Userpilot
- Best tool for Project Management – Monday
- Best tool for Product Management – Jira Software
- Best tool for Customer Experience – Zendesk
- Best tool for Customer Success – ClientSuccess
- Best tool for UX/UI Design – Figma
- Best tool for UX/UI Design – Sketch
- Best tool for UX/UI Design – InVision Studio
- Best tool for UX/UI Design – Adobe XD
- Best tool for Data Analytics – Tableau
Looking into tools for product designers? Userpilot is an all-in-one product platform with engagement features and powerful analytics capabilities. Book a demo to see it in action!

What is a product designer?

A product designer is a professional responsible for creating user-friendly and visually appealing designs for products, particularly in digital applications like software and websites.

They focus on the overall user experience (UX) and user interface (UI), ensuring that the product is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Product designers collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, developers, and stakeholders, to align design goals with business objectives.

Key tasks include conducting user research, developing wireframes and prototypes, and iterating on designs based on user feedback and testing.

What does a product designer do?

A product designer is responsible for creating intuitive and visually appealing digital product experiences.

They conduct user research to understand needs and pain points, develop wireframes and prototypes, and test these designs to gather feedback. Working closely with product managers and developers, they ensure that the final design aligns with both user requirements and business objectives.

By focusing on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, they aim to deliver products that are not only functional but also enjoyable to use.

Product designer’s main responsibilities

A product designer plays a vital role in the SaaS industry, focusing on creating user-friendly and visually appealing software products.

They collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the design meets user needs and business objectives.

Here are the main responsibilities and duties:

Conduct User Research: Gather insights on user needs, behaviors, and pain points through surveys, interviews, and usability testing.
Create Wireframes and Prototypes: Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize design solutions and iterate based on feedback.
Design User Interfaces: Craft intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces for web and mobile applications, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with product managers, developers, and other stakeholders to define and implement innovative design solutions that align with product goals.
Maintain Design Systems: Create and manage design systems and component libraries to ensure consistency and efficiency across all products.
Conduct Usability Testing: Test designs with users to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments to improve usability and user satisfaction.
Stay Updated with Design Trends: Keep abreast of the latest design trends, tools, and technologies to ensure the products are modern and competitive.
Advocate for User-Centric Design: Promote user-centered design principles and best practices within the organization to ensure all products meet high usability standards.
Iterate on Designs: Continuously refine and improve designs based on user feedback, analytics, and changing business requirements.
Document Design Processes: Maintain clear documentation of design processes, decisions, and guidelines to ensure transparency and consistency.

These responsibilities ensure that a product designer effectively contributes to creating exceptional SaaS products that meet both user needs and business goals.

Product designer salary

Product designers play a crucial role in creating user-friendly and visually appealing digital products.

Their salaries vary based on experience, industry, and location, with certain companies offering higher compensation.

Salary by Experience Level

Junior Product Designer: Typically earns around $72,277 per year.
Mid-level Product Designer: The average salary is approximately $98,676 per year.
Senior Product Designer: Generally earns about $129,579 per year.

Salary by Industry

Technology: Product designers in the tech industry can earn between $90,000 and $140,000 per year, depending on the company’s size and location.
Finance: Product designers in financial technology (FinTech) often see salaries ranging from $80,000 to $130,000 annually.
Healthcare: Salaries typically range from $75,000 to $125,000 per year in the healthcare industry.
Retail: Product designers in the retail sector might earn between $70,000 and $110,000 annually.

Salary by Location

San Francisco, CA: Average salaries range from $81,000 to $200,000 per year.
New York, NY: Salaries typically range from $64,000 to $168,000 per year.
Seattle, WA: Product designers earn between $68,000 and $157,000 annually.
Toronto, Canada: Salaries range from CA$51,000 to CA$108,000 per year.
London, UK: Average salaries range from £23,000 to £93,000 annually.

Highest Paying Companies

Meta (Facebook): Known for offering high salaries, with product designers earning between $150,000 and $250,000 annually.
Stripe: Provides competitive compensation, often ranging from $140,000 to $230,000 per year.
Pinterest: Product designers at Pinterest can earn between $130,000 and $220,000 annually.
LinkedIn: Offers salaries typically ranging from $120,000 to $210,000 per year.

These figures highlight the significant variation in salaries based on experience, industry, and location, providing a comprehensive overview for aspiring and current product designers.

For more detailed and updated information, visiting specific salary websites like Glassdoor and PayScale is recommended.

A career in product design typically involves progressing through various roles that build on each other in terms of responsibility, expertise, and leadership.

Here’s a typical career progression for a product designer, from junior roles to senior leadership positions:

Junior Product Designer – Assists senior designers, creates basic design components, and supports user research. Focus on learning design tools, building a strong portfolio, and seeking feedback to improve your skills.
Product Designer – Involved in designing product interfaces, conducting usability tests, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Take on more complex projects, deepen your understanding of UX principles, and start leading smaller design initiatives.
Senior Product Designer – Leads major design projects, mentors junior designers, and plays a key role in strategic design decisions. Enhance leadership skills, contribute to design systems, and build strong relationships with product managers and developers.
Lead Product Designer – Oversees the design team, ensures design consistency across projects, and aligns design goals with business objectives. Develop project management skills, drive innovation within the team, and engage in high-level strategic planning.
Product Design Manager – Manages the design team, coordinates design projects, and ensures alignment with business goals and user needs. Enhance leadership and managerial skills, stay updated with industry trends, and focus on optimizing team performance and design processes.
Senior Product Design Manager – Manages larger design teams, oversees multiple projects, and plays a critical role in company-wide design strategy. Develop a vision for the design department, influence company design culture, and mentor upcoming leaders within the team.
Director of Product Design – Sets the overall design direction for the company, collaborates with top executives, and ensures the design vision aligns with the company’s mission. Focus on strategic leadership, expand your influence across departments, and drive the company’s design innovation.
VP of Product Design – Responsible for the entire design organization, driving design excellence and contributing to the overall business strategy. Strengthen executive leadership skills, maintain a forward-thinking design vision, and foster a culture of creativity and innovation.
Chief Design Officer (CDO) – Top-level executive overseeing all design aspects of the company, ensuring cohesive design strategy across all products and services. Focus on visionary leadership, drive company-wide design integration, and champion design as a core business value.

Each step in this career path builds on the previous one, emphasizing continuous learning, leadership, and strategic thinking to progress to higher levels of responsibility and influence in the field of product design.

How to become a product designer

To become a product designer, you should start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as graphic design, industrial design, human-computer interaction, or a related discipline.

Coursework in these programs typically includes design principles, UX/UI design, prototyping, and user research. Additionally, learning design tools such as Sketch, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite is essential.

Gaining practical experience through internships is crucial. Look for internships at tech companies, design firms, or startups where you can work on real projects and build a portfolio. A strong portfolio showcasing your best work and demonstrating your design process is vital when applying for jobs.

After your formal education, consider participating in online courses or boot camps to further refine your skills and stay updated with the latest design trends and tools. Networking through industry events, design communities, and online platforms like LinkedIn can also open doors to job opportunities and mentorship.

For more comprehensive guidance, you can refer to resources like CareerFoundry and Interaction Design Foundation.

Best resources for product designers

To stay ahead in the dynamic field of product design, leveraging a variety of resources is crucial.

Here are some top recommendations for books, webinars, podcasts, and blogs that every product designer should explore.

Best books for product designers

Reading books by industry experts can provide deep insights and practical knowledge about product design and management.

“The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman – This classic book offers deep insights into the principles of good design and human-centered design.
“Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” by Nir Eyal – Explores the psychology behind user habits and how to create products that keep users engaged.
“Lean UX: Designing Great Products with Agile Teams” by Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden – Provides practical advice on integrating UX design with Agile methodologies.
“Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love” by Marty Cagan – A comprehensive guide on product management and creating products that delight customers.
“Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days” by Jake Knapp – A step-by-step guide to solving problems and testing ideas quickly.

Best webinars for product designers

Participating in webinars can offer real-time learning and insights from industry experts.

Userpilot Webinars – Focused on user onboarding, engagement, and product growth.
Nielsen Norman Group Webinars – Expert insights on various UX topics, including usability, user research, and interaction design.
UX Design Institute Webinars – Covers UX design principles, methodologies, and career advice.
Adobe XD Webinars – Tutorials and deep dives into design tools and best practices using Adobe XD.
InVision Webinars – Discussions with industry experts on design, collaboration, and product management.

Best blogs for product designers

Following blogs can help you stay updated on the latest trends, tips, and best practices in product design and management.

Userpilot Blog – Insights on user onboarding, product growth, and UX design.
Nielsen Norman Group Blog – In-depth articles on usability, user experience, and design research.
Smashing Magazine – Covers a wide range of topics, including UX design, web development, and product management.
UX Collective – Community-driven platform with articles on UX design, product design, and industry trends.
IDEO Blog – Shares stories and insights from one of the leading design firms.

These resources provide valuable knowledge and practical advice, helping you stay current and excel in your role as a Product Designer.

Best podcasts for product designers

Listening to podcasts is a convenient way to stay informed and inspired by industry leaders while on the go.

“The Design Better Podcast” by InVision – Interviews with design leaders discussing the craft and business of design.
“High Resolution” – In-depth conversations with design leaders from top companies.
“The UX Podcast” – Discusses UX design, strategy, and how to integrate UX into business practices.
“Product to Product” – A podcast for product people, by product people, covering various aspects of product management and design.
“Product Love” – Focuses on product management and features interviews with product leaders.

Best tools for product designers

Leveraging the right tools can greatly enhance productivity, creativity, and collaboration.

Here are ten essential tools for various aspects of product design:

Best tool for User Onboarding and Engagement – Userpilot: Userpilot helps product designers create personalized in-app experiences and effective onboarding processes, improving user engagement and retention.
Best tool for Project Management – Monday: Monday.com offers a visual and flexible platform for managing projects and tasks, aiding teams in efficient collaboration and keeping projects on schedule.
Best tool for Product Management – Jira Software: Jira Software is a robust tool for tracking and managing development tasks, sprints, and releases, ensuring seamless collaboration between designers and developers.
Best tool for Customer Experience – Zendesk: Zendesk provides comprehensive customer support solutions, enabling teams to manage customer inquiries, feedback, and support tickets effectively.
Best tool for Customer Success – ClientSuccess: ClientSuccess helps manage and measure customer relationships, ensuring customers achieve their desired outcomes with the product.
Best tool for UX/UI Design – Figma: Figma is a cloud-based design tool that allows for real-time collaboration, making it ideal for teams working together on UX/UI design projects.
Best tool for UX/UI Design – Sketch: Sketch is a vector graphics editor focused on digital design, offering a wide range of plugins and integrations to streamline the design process.
Best tool for UX/UI Design – InVision Studio: InVision Studio provides advanced prototyping and animation capabilities, enabling designers to create interactive and high-fidelity prototypes.
Best tool for UX/UI Design – Adobe XD: Adobe XD is a powerful design and prototyping tool that offers seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps, enhancing the overall design workflow.
Best tool for Data Analytics – Tableau: Tableau provides powerful data visualization capabilities, allowing teams to analyze and present data in an intuitive and visually appealing way.

These tools collectively enable product designers to create user-centric designs, manage projects efficiently, and collaborate effectively with their teams.

Conclusion

We hope our article has given you a good overview of the career path for product designers.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, the key is to stay curious, keep learning, and remain open to new opportunities along the way.

Looking into tools for product designers? Userpilot is an all-in-one product platform with engagement features and powerful analytics capabilities. Book a demo to see it in action!