Best Resources for Product Designers

Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, stay updated with industry trends, or find practical tools to enhance your workflow, the right resources are essential for continuous growth and success.

This guide will introduce you to the best resources available for product designers, providing you with a curated selection of valuable materials to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Let’s get started!

TL;DR

This is a professional responsible for creating user-friendly and visually appealing designs for digital products, focusing on the overall user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). They collaborate with cross-functional teams to align design goals with business objectives.
A product designer conducts user research, develops wireframes and prototypes, and tests designs to gather feedback, ensuring the final product is both functional and enjoyable to use.
To excel, leverage resources like books (e.g., “The Design of Everyday Things”), webinars (Userpilot, Nielsen Norman Group), blogs (Userpilot Blog, Smashing Magazine), podcasts (“The Design Better Podcast”), and certifications (Google UX Design Professional Certificate, Interaction Design Foundation Membership).
Essential tools for product designers include Userpilot for user onboarding and engagement, Monday.com for project management, Figma for UX/UI design, etc.
Interested in creating personalized in-app experiences and improving user engagement? Consider Userpilot. Book a demo today!

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.

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 certifications for product designers

While there aren’t many widely recognized certifications specifically for product designers, the following are often valued by employers:

Google UX Design Professional Certificate (Coursera): This beginner-friendly program covers the fundamentals of UX design and provides a solid foundation for aspiring product designers. It’s well-regarded for its practical approach and job-ready curriculum.
Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) Membership: While not a certification per se, an IDF membership offers access to a wide range of UX design courses and resources, including specialized courses on interaction design, user research, and information architecture. The IDF is highly respected in the UX design community and its courses are often cited as valuable learning resources.
Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification: This certification program, offered by the renowned Nielsen Norman Group, covers a range of UX topics, including user research, information architecture, interaction design guidelines, and usability testing. It’s known for its rigor and focus on evidence-based design practices.
Certified Usability Analyst (CUA): Offered by Human Factors International, this certification focuses on usability testing and evaluation, a critical skill for product designers. It demonstrates your ability to conduct effective usability tests and analyze user feedback to improve product design.

These certifications and memberships are not strictly “necessary” for product designers, but they can significantly enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

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

Professional growth is a continuous journey, and investing in your development is key to staying competitive in the field.

We hope this guide has equipped you with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in your role.

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!

Best Resources for Product Designers

TL;DR

UX/UI Design and Research Teams Can Use Userpilot to:

What is a product designer?

What does a product designer do?

Product designer’s main responsibilities