{"id":9604,"date":"2025-04-05T17:42:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T17:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/?p=9604"},"modified":"2025-10-24T13:09:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:09:42","slug":"what-does-a-product-designer-do-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/what-does-a-product-designer-do-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What does a product designer (UX\/UI) do? Role, skills and salaries – a complete guide [2025]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before digital products came into the picture, \u2018product designer\u2019 was just another name for an industrial designer: someone who designs manufactured products, like cars or office supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, product designers are also responsible for creating digital products like websites, apps, and software.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Product design is a multidisciplinary field, and most product designers have at least some expertise in UX and UI design, project management, business, and even frontend development. Indeed, product designers wear many hats, and the job title can be a source of confusion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what exactly does a product designer do? And how does the role differ from that of a UX designer?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Consider this your ultimate guide. Here\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n

What is a product designer (UX\/UI) and what do they do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A product designer is a problem-solver at heart. Paying special attention to product form, touchpoints, and functionality, they work through all phases of the product lifecycle from inception to completion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crucially, a product designer focuses on both <\/span>user needs and business goals<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As such, their role spans everything from <\/span>user research<\/span><\/a> and competitor analysis at the start of the product development process, to creating key deliverables such as <\/span>site maps<\/span><\/a>, wireframes, prototypes, and UI style guides, and overseeing product testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Product designers also play a role in the marketing and branding of a product. They collaborate with marketing teams to develop compelling product narratives, create engaging product presentations, and ensure that the product aligns with the brand\u2019s identity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does the role of a product designer vary from company to company?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This sounds like a lot for one role, but bear in mind that product designers rarely work alone. In bigger companies especially, product designers tend to sit within a dedicated product team\u2014a team that also includes project managers, <\/span>UX designers<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>UI designers<\/span><\/a>, and developers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At small companies and startups, however, the scope of a product designer\u2019s role tends to be much broader. In the absence of dedicated UX and UI designers, the product designer may be the only one covering UX, UI, coding, and project management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter where a product designer works, their primary responsibility is to champion the product, ensuring that it\u2019s user-friendly, cost-effective, and aligns with business objectives.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

We mentioned that product designers may branch into UX and UI design\u2014which, on paper at least, represent separate roles and disciplines. This can be confusing! So let\u2019s explore further.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the difference between a product designer and a UX designer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s true that \u2018product designer\u2019 and \u2018UX designer\u2019 constitute distinct roles and job titles. In theory, at least, they\u2019re not the same thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But, as we mentioned previously, the reality is often a little more blurred, and the distinction (or lack thereof) between the two roles ultimately depends on the company and the context.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To better understand how the roles differ, let\u2019s first define the role of a UX designer.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does a UX designer do?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

UX designers focus primarily on optimising the overall usability and user experience of the product. Their main goal is to create products that are intuitive, enjoyable, and easy to navigate\u2014and they champion the end user every step of the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UX designers:<\/span><\/p>\n