How to Get Good at Product Design?

What is essential to be a great product designer?

Recently, I’ve celebrated the 10th anniversary of being a Product Designer. Time flies! Reaching that 10-year moment of my career, I thought I’d answer some of the most common questions junior designers ask me at conferences and events. It also reminds me how lost I’ve been starting work on my very first project.

I’d love to share some of my experiences since it’s quite hard to start a career path in Product Design now. I can clearly remember my beginnings — it wasn’t easy. Or pretty.

So, I began to think — if I could travel in time, what advice would I give myself? What would be helpful? What would prevent me from making some imprudent decisions?

I made a short list for you.

Here are ten crucial things I’ve learned (most of them the hard way). They range from formal education, learning to work with others, and standing your ground when you believe in your ideas.

A design degree is not necessary.

This question is one of the most commonly asked by junior designers. Should I get a degree? Should I do courses, classes and online workshops?

For me design studies were a complete waste of time and money. I learned almost nothing new. The educational program that my university was offering was a complete disaster. Most of the software I worked on was outdated. Instead of a solid dose of information about product design, UI, UX, and research, I had to paint still life and listen to my marketing teacher bragging about his car collection.

After three years of terror and (finally) getting my dream degree, they offered me a job as a teacher. And I never got any questions about my degree in a job interview. Yeah.

Conclusion: You don’t need a degree. You can easily learn by yourself. Spend money on some quality books, e-courses, and webinars. Be smart!

Get a real job as soon as possible.

This might be scary at the beginning, but you learn the most while working, talking to your team members, and designing real products.