Design
Is Product Design in B.Des a Good Career in 2025–2030?
The article discusses if Product Design in B.Design is a Good Career in 2026 and what are the job opportunities are for B. Design students
17 November 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
Rapid technological shifts due to artificial intelligence induced automation, evolving market demands, slumps in production and conflict between major economies have clouded the current job market, and a miasma of uncertainty looms over the present and future of many careers today. Fortunately, some fields have emerged stronger to stand out as beacons of stability and growth. At the forefront of these is product design, a discipline that converges creativity, technology, and user-centric thinking to shape the objects, experiences, and systems of tomorrow.
As industries race to innovate and differentiate, the need for skilled product designers has only grown stronger, and the salaries on offer testify this. Simply put; product design is one of the most promising career paths not just for 2025, but the coming decade as well.
Check out how much a product designer can earn in India and abroad today, compare opportunities and explore career pathways for undergraduates, postgraduates, and other online courses in product design.
Growing Demand for Product Designers
Between 2025 and 2030, the field is projected to see exponential growth. The global product design and development services market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of around 10%, surpassing $30 billion by 2030. In India, the growth is anticipated to be even faster, with projections of an 11% CAGR as the country pushes forward with its digital transformation agenda and initiatives like Make in India and Startup India.
This growth signals a powerful opportunity for students currently pursuing or considering a B Design course, placing them at the forefront of an industry that continually creates and recreates how people interact with technology, products, and experiences.
Salary Outlook: India and Global
Here’s a broad overview of typical product designer salary expectations, based on experience level:
Experience Level | Product Designer Salary in India | Global Average Salary |
0–2 Years (Entry-level) | ₹4–8 LPA | $65,000–$80,000 |
2–5 Years (Mid-level) | ₹10–15 LPA | $85,000–$110,000 |
5–7 Years (Senior) | ₹18–25 LPA | $115,000–$150,000 |
7–10+ Years (Lead/Principal) | ₹30–60+ LPA | $150,000–$200,000+ |
While these are general benchmarks, compensation can vary based on portfolio quality, industry, and city. A standout portfolio and experience at top firms can push salaries far beyond these ranges. This excellent product designer salary in India outlook is a key reason many students are pursuing careers in this field.
Why Demand for Product Designers Is Soaring?
Several converging trends are fuelling the surge in product design jobs globally and within India:
1. Digital Transformation Across Industries
From healthcare to automotive, companies are undergoing digital overhauls, creating an urgent need for designers who can craft intuitive user interfaces, engaging customer experiences, and seamless physical-digital integrations.
2. User Experience as a Differentiator
Businesses are increasingly competing on the quality of user experience rather than just product features. This makes design a core strategic function, not an afterthought.
3. Sustainability and Ethical Design
Consumers are demanding environmentally responsible products. Designers who can integrate sustainable materials and circular economy principles into their designs are becoming indispensable.
4. Government Support and Indian Design Ecosystem
In India, schemes like the Design Clinic Scheme for MSMEs, Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission, and National Design Policy are encouraging innovation and design entrepreneurship. These initiatives are fostering a design-led culture that values original thinking and problem-solving.
Skills Needed to Succeed Between 2025–2030
The future product designer will need to blend creativity, technology, and business acumen. Here are key areas to focus on:
Core Design Skills
UX research and user testing
Interaction design and usability principles
Visual design fundamentals: typography, color theory, composition
Prototyping and wireframing (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch)
Technical Skills
3D modeling and CAD tools like Rhino, SolidWorks, Fusion 360
Familiarity with AR/VR design environments and IoT interfaces
Data-driven design using analytics and heat-mapping tools
Strategic and Soft Skills
Collaboration with cross-functional teams
Communication and presentation of design concepts
Business thinking and understanding of market dynamics
Empathy and cultural sensitivity to user needs
The combination of these skills will make graduates of product design courses stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Career Pathways and Roles in Product Design
Product design is a broad discipline that blends creativity, user empathy, business thinking, and technical skills. As professionals grow in the field, they typically move through a structured ladder of roles — each with expanding scope, responsibility, and influence.
A common progression looks like this:
Junior Product Designer
Who they are:
Fresh graduates or entry-level professionals just beginning their design careers, often coming from product design courses or design internships.
What they do:
Execute small, well-defined tasks like creating UI components, icons, or visual layouts
Follow design system guidelines and brand standards
Assist in wireframing, low-fidelity prototyping, and visual polish
Learn to use tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD under supervision
Core goal: Building strong foundational skills and gaining exposure to real-world design projects.
Associate Product Designer
Who they are:
Designers who have 1–2 years of experience and are ready to handle slightly more complex features.
What they do:
Collaborate with developers and product managers on small features
Conduct basic user research and usability tests
Refine prototypes into production-ready assets
Begin contributing ideas in design discussions
Core goal: Developing confidence and independent ownership over smaller parts of the product.
Product Designer
Who they are:
Mid-level professionals who can now own an entire feature or flow end-to-end.
What they do:
Lead the design process for full product features (from concept to launch)
Perform user interviews, journey mapping, and competitive research
Define UX architecture and visual language for new modules
Collaborate deeply with engineering to ensure feasibility and quality
Present work to stakeholders and iterate based on feedback
Core goal: Delivering real impact on the product and business through strong design solutions.
Senior Product Designer
Who they are:
Designers with 4–6+ years of experience who operate at a strategic level.
What they do:
Set design direction for major product areas
Drive user-centered design thinking across teams
Mentor junior and associate designers
Partner with product management on roadmaps and long-term vision
Integrate AI tools, analytics, and experimentation frameworks into workflows
Core goal: Balancing creative innovation with business objectives while leading complex projects.
Lead / Principal Product Designer
Who they are:
Veteran designers who shape the design strategy of the entire product or company.
What they do:
Define long-term product vision and design philosophy
Influence company-wide design systems, processes, and culture
Work closely with executives, data scientists, and business strategists
Champion innovation, experimentation, and user empathy at scale
Sometimes manage large design teams or lead cross-functional initiatives
Core goal: Guiding the future of the product, the brand, and the user experience at a strategic level. At senior levels, professionals often lead design teams, shape company-wide design systems, and drive innovation strategy.
Product Design Career Progression in India
Role | Typical Experience | Key Responsibilities | Average Salary (India) |
Junior Product Designer | 0–1 years | Assist with UI assets, wireframes, visual polish, follow design systems | ₹4–6 LPA |
Associate Product Designer | 1–2 years | Handle small features, run usability tests, refine prototypes | ₹6–9 LPA |
Product Designer | 2–4 years | Own features end-to-end, do research, collaborate with engineers, present to stakeholders | ₹9–14 LPA |
Senior Product Designer | 4–6+ years | Lead major product areas, mentor juniors, drive design thinking | ₹14–22 LPA |
Lead / Principal Product Designer | 7–10+ years | Define product vision, influence strategy, oversee design systems & culture | ₹25–40+ LPA |
*(LPA = Lakhs Per Annum)
Salaries vary by company size, sector (tech startups often pay higher), and location (metros like Delhi-NCR, Bangalore and Mumbai offer higher pay).
Beyond this ladder, some designers also branch into specialized tracks as they grow, such as:
UX Researcher – Focus on deep user studies and behavioral insights
UX Writer / Content Designer – Specialize in language and microcopy
Design Operations (DesignOps) – Optimize team workflows, tools, and collaboration
Product Design Manager / Director – Move into leadership and people management
Entrepreneur / Founder – ‘Designpreneurs’ can launch their own products or startups using their design expertise
Industries Hiring Product Designers
Product design jobs exist across diverse sectors, each offering unique challenges:
Tech & SaaS: Designing enterprise software, mobile apps, and digital platforms.
E-commerce: Optimizing user journeys and conversion flows for online marketplaces.
Automotive & Consumer Electronics: Building smart interfaces for vehicles and connected devices.
Fintech & Healthcare: Simplifying complex services into accessible digital products.
Sustainability & Green Tech: Innovating eco-friendly products and services.
These industries not only offer strong job security but also provide exciting opportunities to shape the future of how people live and interact with technology.
Education Pathways: Building a Product Design Career
For students looking to enter this field, there are multiple educational routes that build the foundational skills and portfolio required.
Undergraduate Degrees
B.Des (Bachelor of Design) in Product Design: A four-year B Design course offering in-depth training in design principles, ergonomics, materials, CAD, and real-world projects.
Bachelor of Product Design: Focused specifically on the end-to-end process of designing consumer products.
Diploma in Product Design: Shorter, more hands-on programs (around 3 years) emphasizing technical skills.
Admissions typically require clearing design entrance exams like UCEED or NID DAT.
Postgraduate Degrees
Des (Master of Design) in Product Design: A two-year advanced program for specialization, strategic design, and leadership roles.
Masters in Product Design: Focused on research, innovation, and areas like sustainable or digital product design.
Entrance exams like CEED are often required.
Online Certifications and Bootcamps
Google UX Design Certificate (Coursera)
IIIT-Bangalore x Simplilearn UI/UX Advanced Certification
IBM Product Manager Certificate (Coursera)
Unified Mentor UI/UX Design Course (with job guarantee)
Numerous modular courses on platforms like Udemy, edX, and Skillshare
These programs are ideal for building practical skills or transitioning from another discipline.
Between 2025 and 2030, the field is projected to see exponential growth. The global product design and development services market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of around 10%, surpassing $30 billion by 2030. In India, the growth is anticipated to be even faster, with projections of an 11% CAGR as the country pushes forward with its digital transformation agenda and initiatives like Make in India and Startup India.
This growth signals a powerful opportunity for students currently pursuing or considering a B Design course, placing them at the forefront of an industry that continually creates and recreates how people interact with technology, products, and experiences.
Building Experience: Product Design Internships and Portfolios
Building Experience: Internships and Portfolios
Landing a strong product design internship during college can significantly accelerate career growth. Internships offer:
Real-world project exposure
Collaboration with cross-functional teams
Insights into industry workflows and timelines
Opportunities to build a professional portfolio
A well-crafted portfolio that documents the design process, user research, and measurable outcomes can often matter more than grades when applying for product design jobs.
Why 2025–2030 Is a Golden Era for Product Design Professionals and Pspirants
The next five years will be transformative for design. Several trends make this an ideal time for students to enter the field:
Design as Strategy: Companies are elevating designers to strategic decision-making roles.
AI Collaboration: Automation of routine tasks will free designers to focus on creativity and innovation.
Global Opportunities: Remote and hybrid work has opened international roles for Indian designers.
Sustainability Mandate: Eco-conscious design is becoming a competitive advantage, creating a whole new category of design roles.
As the line between physical and digital products continues to blur, designers will be the ones shaping how humans experience technology, cities, health, finance, and everyday life.
Real-World Examples of AI in Product Design
AI isn’t just a theoretical future — many leading companies are already integrating it into their product design pipelines to speed up workflows, unlock creativity, and personalize user experiences.
Some notable examples:
Airbnb
Uses AI-driven design systems to automatically generate and test variations of user interfaces. Their internal tool “Sketch-to-Code” converts design sketches directly into front-end code, reducing the gap between design and development teams.Nike
Incorporates AI for hyper-personalization in product design — using machine learning on user data to create custom shoe designs and recommend materials, colors, and fits. Their Nike By You line leverages this approach to scale bespoke products.Spotify
Employs AI design tools and predictive analytics to personalize UI elements, playlist covers, and recommendations for different user segments, helping designers optimize layouts based on user behavior data.Adobe (Adobe Firefly + Sensei)
Adobe’s own design teams use their AI engines to automate repetitive layout tasks, generate visual assets on demand, and instantly adapt designs to multiple device formats — drastically accelerating production cycles.Canva
Integrates AI-powered features like Magic Design and Magic Write that generate entire visual concepts from a short text prompt, enabling rapid concept exploration for new product or campaign ideas.Autodesk
Uses generative design algorithms to explore thousands of potential product forms and material combinations — something used in industries from consumer electronics to automotive.
Industry Leaders at Rishihood: Designing with Empathy for India
Great product design isn’t just about creating something entirely new — it’s often about making what already exists better, more intuitive, and more meaningful for people’s everyday lives.
This perspective was powerfully echoed by Jagjit Rana, Design Head at Maruti Suzuki, the creative mind behind two of India’s most enduring and beloved cars — the Maruti Alto and Wagon R. These models have become household names, thanks to their practicality, reliability, and user-friendly design.
During a recent visit to Rishihood University, Rana interacted with B.Des students and shared his philosophy on what makes design impactful. He spoke about:
Designing with empathy — understanding how people live, what they need, and what challenges they face
The role of design in daily life — how even small design improvements can significantly enhance user experience
Evolving existing designs — sometimes, improving upon a stable, trusted product can be more valuable than creating something entirely new
Catch a glimpse of his session with students on Instagram: Watch here.
Hearing from leaders like Rana shows aspiring designers how product design shapes the real world and how empathy-driven thinking can lead to designs that stand the test of time.
The Impact of AI: Transforming the Role of Designers
AI is not replacing product designers — it is transforming how they work.
Rather than spending countless hours on repetitive tasks like wireframing, prototyping, or creating multiple visual iterations, designers are increasingly using advanced AI tools to accelerate these processes and shift their focus to strategic, creative decision-making.
Some widely used AI tools include:
Uizard – Instantly converts hand-drawn sketches or written prompts into clickable UI mockups, drastically cutting down early prototyping time.
Figma’s AI features – Offers automated layout suggestions, content generation, and real-time design adjustments within collaborative workflows.
Runway ML – Allows designers to generate and edit high-quality visuals, animations, and product mockups using generative AI.
Framer AI – Creates fully responsive website and product interface layouts from simple text descriptions.
Midjourney and DALL·E – Help conceptualize and visualize product aesthetics quickly, giving form to early design ideas.
ChatGPT / Copilot – Assist with writing UX copy, generating user flows, and brainstorming design solutions.
Key AI-driven shifts include:
From Craft to Strategy: Designers are moving away from repetitive execution to concentrate on research, conceptualization, and long-term product vision.
Hyper-Personalization: AI enables data-driven customization of products to suit individual user preferences and behaviors.
New Skill Sets: Future designers will need literacy in AI design tools, data analytics, and ethical design principles alongside traditional visual and technical skills.
These shifts make the career of product design not only more efficient but also more intellectually rewarding and impactful than ever before.
A Future-Proof Product Indeed
Between 2025 and 2030, the world will need more design thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators than ever before.
For students passionate about creativity, technology, and impact, pursuing a B Design course in product design is one of the most future-proof and rewarding career decisions they can make.
It offers not just financial stability through a great range in product designer salary, but also the rare chance to shape the way countless people will experience the world. A career that is made to build the future, will have to be future proof, won’t it!
