Product Designer Job Description Template [2023]

Product designers play a crucial role in the product development process, working closely with product managers to bring innovative ideas to life. As a hiring manager looking to build a strong product development team, finding talented product designers with the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the role is important. To attract the best candidates, you need a job description that clearly outlines the responsibilities of the position, as well as the required skills and qualifications.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive product designer job description template to help you create a job listing that stands out to top talent in the field.

Product Designer Responsibilities

Product designers conceptualize and create user-centric solutions that meet the customer’s needs during the product development process. They are accountable for designing and developing products that offer seamless user experiences and that solve real-world problems. This includes conducting user research to identify user needs, goals, and pain points. Additionally, they are responsible for crafting user flows, wireframes, and prototypes that demonstrate their design solutions.

Product designers conceptualize and create user-centric solutions that meet the customer’s needs during the product development process.

Product designers work collaboratively with cross-functional teams such as product managers, developers, engineers, and marketers to ensure that their designs align with the product vision and strategy. They must balance the needs of users, the company’s brand, and business objectives. Their designs must be visually appealing and fit within the brand guidelines while solving user problems. Product designers also conduct usability testing and continually analyze user feedback to improve their designs.

Here are some of the key responsibilities of a product designer:

• Conduct user research and set design requirements based on findings.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (including development, design, and marketing) to create beautiful consumer experiences and products.
• Identify opportunities for product or feature enhancements.
• Remain up-to-date on industry trends, market conditions, and consumer preferences.
• Iterate existing designs to meet industry or consumer needs.
• Present product design ideas to leadership and external partners and take direction whenever necessary.
• Use appropriate software to produce prototypes and test functionality.
• As a hiring manager, it’s important to remember that a product designer’s specific roles and responsibilities may vary depending on the company, industry, and project.

What’s the difference between UX design and product design?

While there is often confusion between the roles of UX Designer and Product Designer, they have distinct responsibilities. UX Designers focus on creating user-centered designs for websites and mobile apps, conducting research and testing to ensure products meet users’ needs. They develop wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs that align with user needs and business goals.

On the other hand, Product Designers are responsible for designing and developing digital products that solve customer problems. They focus on creating intuitive and user-friendly solutions that make products easier to use and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet customers’ needs while aligning with the company’s brand guidelines.

Product Designers may also work on user interfaces, but their scope is broader, covering the entire product development process.

Product Designer Job Description Template

Providing a short paragraph describing the company and its mission statement is essential when creating a job listing. This information should include details about the company culture, benefits and perks of working there, office hours, remote working options, and other exciting opportunities or claims to fame.

As hiring managers, creating a job description that effectively communicates the responsibilities and requirements of a position is crucial for attracting the right candidates. To help you in this process, we’ve provided a Product Designer Job Description Template that you can use as a starting point for your own job postings. This template includes a company overview, job description, roles and responsibilities, and desired skills and qualifications. 

Using this template, you can provide a clear and concise job description that will help you attract the best talent for your team.

Company Overview

Providing a short paragraph describing the company and its mission statement is important when creating a job listing. This information should include details about the company culture, benefits, perks of working there, office hours, remote working options, and other exciting opportunities or claims to fame.

For example, [Company Name] is a fast-growing startup committed to revolutionizing the [your industry] industry. Our mission is to provide our customers with the best possible experience by creating innovative products that meet their needs. We value creativity, teamwork, and continuous learning. Our employees enjoy flexible work hours, remote options, and a competitive salary package.

Pro Tip: Keep it simple and provide relevant links to company pages or social profiles.

Job Description

The Product Designer at [Company Name] will work closely with cross-functional teams to design and develop products that meet customers’ needs.

The successful candidate will be passionate about creating intuitive solutions that make our products more accessible. They will collaborate with other designers and use qualitative and quantitative data to make informed, design-related decisions.

You should be proficient at converting requirements into practical product features and have a keen eye for color and shape.

Roles & Responsibilities

As you partner with our cross-functional teams, you will turn your insight into beautiful and functional products in an environment where leadership skills and creativity are essential. The product designer will report directly to the Lead Product Designer working under the product team.

In more detail, here are your responsibilities:

• Conduct user testing and evaluate the effectiveness of the product design
• Conduct competitive research and analysis to ensure the product is competitive in the market
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create beautiful consumer experiences and products
• Communicate with external partners such as developers, manufacturers, and suppliers
• Create and maintain design guidelines and brand standards
• Ensure that design materials meet accessibility standards and are compliant with industry regulations
• Identify opportunities for product or feature enhancements
• Remain up-to-date on industry trends, market conditions, and consumer preferences
• Iterate existing designs to meet industry or consumer needs
• Present product design ideas to leadership and external partners and take direction whenever necessary
• Use appropriate software [list your stack] to produce prototypes and test functionality. 
• [Include any other duties and responsibilities you can think of…]

Desired Skills & Qualifications

At [Company Name], we prioritize experience over education for our Product Designer candidates. We’re looking for individuals with a well-rounded understanding of the entire design process, including user research, copywriting, wireframing, prototyping, design, interaction, and usability testing.

We’re specifically seeking candidates with the following:

• 1-5 years of professional experience on a product design team
• Intuitive experience identifying customer needs beyond the prominent features and functionality
• A strong track record of collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Ability to conduct, interpret, and present qualitative and quantitative feedback and research
• Exceptional communication skills for conveying design concepts and roadmaps
• Strong problem-solving and delegation skills
• Understanding of client objectives and execution of said objectives
• A well-rounded product design portfolio with result-driven case studies
• Excellent time and project management skills
• [List any relevant education, certifications, or specific program experience/computer tools]

How to find the right product designer for your company

The success of your product depends on finding the right designer. By using the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can streamline your hiring process and ensure that you find a talented and qualified product designer who can help take your products to the next level. 

Remember to prioritize experience and a well-rounded skill set over education and consider factors beyond technical skills, such as cultural fit and collaboration. With these considerations in mind, you can build a strong team of product designers who can drive innovation and growth for your business.

FAQ

What’s the difference between UX design and product design?

While there is some overlap between UX design and product design, the two are distinct. UX design, or user experience design, focuses on the user’s overall experience while interacting with a product, including its usability, accessibility, and efficiency. Product design encompasses a broader range of responsibilities, including UX design, visual design, prototyping, and product strategy.

What is the best way to become a product designer?

There is no one set path to becoming a product designer, but there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success. Start by gaining experience in the field through internships, freelance work, or personal projects. Build a strong portfolio that showcases your design skills and creative process. Additionally, consider pursuing a degree in design or a related field, such as human-computer interaction, psychology, or engineering. For more information on how to become a product designer, check out resources such as career guides, online UI/UX courses, and design conferences.

Is product design a high-paying job?

Product design can be a lucrative career path, with salaries ranging from entry-level positions to executive roles. The salary of a product designer can depend on several factors, such as location, industry, experience, and education level. According to Payscale, the average salary for a product designer in the United States is around $79,000 annually, but it can vary widely depending on the abovementioned factors.

What does a product designer do day-to-day?

The day-to-day responsibilities of a product designer can vary widely depending on the company, industry, and project. A product designer might spend their day conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, collaborating with cross-functional teams, presenting design concepts to stakeholders, and staying up-to-date on industry trends and technologies. Additionally, they might spend time iterating on existing designs or working on multiple projects simultaneously. An exciting and dynamic career choice, product design never looks the same twice.

What’s the difference between product design and industrial design?

Product design and industrial design are closely related but have some distinct differences. Industrial design focuses on designing physical products such as consumer goods, furniture, or vehicles. The goal is to create functional, visually appealing, and manufacturable products. Product design, on the other hand, focuses on developing digital products such as software, websites, or apps. While there is some overlap in skills and processes, each field requires specific knowledge and expertise.