Product Designer

While you may know that product designers create products, did you realize they rely on science, technology, engineering, and math to make these products function flawlessly? From 3D printing to CAD software, STEM is bringing product design into the 21st century with tools that enable anyone to get started in product design. Are you ready to explore how you can create the next big idea?

Personal Connection

A product designer is someone who creates industrial or commercial products. Becoming a product designer is all about attention to detail and applying science, technology, engineering, and math to create beautiful and functional products:

Do you like creating things?
Do you tend to think creatively?
Do you have an interest in art?
Do you want to make something everyone will use?
Do you enjoy working with technology?

Other Connections

Even if you don’t end up becoming a product designer, several different career paths also require attention to detail and design, including:

Creating financial models to make predictions as a financial analyst

Calculating heating and cooling loads to design efficient, environmentally-friendly HVAC systems as a mechanical engineer

Bringing products to life by modeling ideas using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software as a CAD technician

Building structures out of wood or other materials as a carpenter

Designing the next generation of robots to explore space, assist in factories, and perform surgeries as a robotics engineer

STEM Connection

Here are just a few ways that new and emerging technologies are changing product design:

3D printing brings designs to life:

While 3D printing is being used in a variety of industries, perhaps its most important use is in the product design industry. 3D printers are somewhat of a necessity in product design, allowing designers to cheaply and rapidly prototype concepts. This helps to communicate ideas, explore concepts iteratively, and discover design flaws. As 3D printing advances, this technology will be increasingly important in all phases of product design. Read more:

CAD software changes the design process:

While 3D printing is excellent, you can’t print designs without first drawing them in CAD software. CAD software is often taken for granted, but until a couple of decades ago, product design was quite different – plans were drawn with pencil and paper, and any revisions meant redrawing the entire product. With CAD software, models are more accurate, more efficient to revise, and easier to communicate with. And even more recently, CAD software has advanced further with animations, finite element analysis, and many other features. Read more:

Software calculates new design possibilities:

How complicated can it be to design a bracket? Apparently, it can be very complicated as researchers at PARC have shown. By using custom-designed software, these researchers were able to combine various materials in intricate ways to maintain the integrity of a solid bracket while reducing the weight by 95%! Read more:

DFMA methodology takes off:

Although you can design anything, product designers use established procedures like Design for Manufacturing and Assembly. This particular methodology didn’t take off until the 1980s but is critical to product designers today. Essentially, it outlines good design practices to make products easier to manufacture and assemble with machines, which in turn reduces the cost of the product. Read more:

Journeys to Becoming a Product Designer

The path to working as a product designer may seem like a faraway dream, but did you know that you can get started on that path even in high school?

Read about one product designer who specializes in industrial design:

Chad Davis is an established industrial designer, but getting there was no easy feat. Like many students, Chad struggled to decide what he wanted to pursue in college. He started by studying mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati but transitioned to product design when he saw what seniors studying product design were working on. This was a significant risk as Chad had already spent time and money pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, but in the end, he took the plunge and dropped all his engineering classes.

As an industrial designer, Chad focuses on the aesthetics and ergonomics of products. One of the biggest challenges Chad faces is describing his design intent to clients, which involves explaining why each design decision was made and how these decisions combine to the overall look. Like most product designers nowadays, Chad relies on 3D printing to prototype designs and ensure they work with the look he’s going for. Chad’s career is an excellent example of how students can succeed as product designers, even if they are unsure of what they want to do in college.

Articles, Videos, Podcasts of Interest

he Bureau of Labor Statics provides accurate information on salary, job growth, work environment, and more:

O*NET provides an in-depth look at the skills you’ll need and the technology you’ll use:

Read an interview with a product designer for Instagram:

Listen to experts discuss some of the thought that goes into product design:

Watch Now

Hear from a product designer and see what a typical day is like:

Watch Now

Fun Facts

Some fun trivia about product design:

More Than Looks:

Did you know that there is more to product design than looks and functionality? Product designers need to account for safety and legal issues as well. For example, product designers need to make sure a product doesn’t accidentally pinch or cut the user by its joints, as this can lead to a lawsuit. Similarly, product designers must check patents to ensure their designs do not infringe on protected ideas. Read more here:

A Diverse Field:

Did you know that product designers can work in a wide variety of industries? Fashion, graphics, machinery, household products, HVAC systems, and websites all need product designers. It can take time to find a niche you love, so it’s never too early to start exploring your passions! Read more here:

The Importance of Design:

Did you know that design can have a massive impact on a company’s success? In terms of web design, 44% of visitors will leave if contact information is not included. And 44% of users leave websites due to poor mobile navigation. But, if the designs are too involved and cause websites to load slower, there can be an 80% decline in website traffic. Read more here:

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