Designers give shape to a product’s structure. For example, today cars have become an extremely important mode of traveling. Most of us have, in some points of our lives, used cars to reach some place. A product designer designs the exterior of the car to make it look good. If there were no designers to design and give shape to the engine, cars would be nothing more than giant paperweights.
When designing, a product designer must take everything under consideration, including size, weight, color, materials, estimated cost, estimated time of completion, and purpose. The product design must have a functional purpose and not be “just because”. The product should not only look good, but should also meet the need of the target consumer. A typical coffee maker, for example, should not only make coffee, but it should be designed in such a way that it could easily fit in an average consumer’s kitchen decor.
Certain companies have a specific design and image in their mind for a particular product. An example would be the automotive industry. Each automotive company’s car designs have their own individual look that makes them unique. An American car company wouldn’t design a car that looks similar to a BMW because that wouldn’t fit their style and image. The same can be said for the furniture companies. Many furniture companies have their own style and look to fit a particular taste of the consumer in their home interiors. Furniture companies may cater to specific types of furniture, such as contemporary, coastal, antique, formal, country, informal, and traditional.
While designing any product, whether it is a coffee maker, stereo, television, or toys, the product designer must be imaginative, innovative, and technically knowledgeable. It is wonderful to have a great idea for a new product, or improving on an existing one, but the designer should know all the aspects on how to build the product. Products don’t appear from the clear blue sky, they must be created, and all factors of the product must be accounted for. Product designers are also expected to possess excellent communication skills to communicate their vision to their clients or company directors correctly and effectively. Product designers must be open to share ideas and concepts to create the best product possible.
Overall, the demand for product designers is expected to increase over the next decade because of the need of improvement in existing products and the creation of rapidly changing technologies. Competition will be fierce in this field since many product designers want to create the best products in their related industry. Many product designers want to create the “next big thing” for consumers so designers who have the latest technical skills and are highly educated will have an advantage. Product designers must adapt to trends and styles of the changing industry phase. For example, with the invention of flat screen high-definition televisions, the designers won’t produce the obsolete wooden televisions. Instead, they need to think of more innovative ideas to create advanced versions of the flat-screen televisions.
With each product design field being different, the salaries might vary greatly. A product designer can make anywhere from $35,000 to $95,000 per year depending upon his/her experience, field, and education. However, product designers always have a scope of advancement in their fields. Many product designers who have years of successful experience in their field may become product managers, chief designers, and supervisors. They could give the final say on a specific design on what to change and how to improve the design. Those who are interested in teaching can become design teachers in colleges and universities.
