A Product Design Manager reports into the Head of Product Design. Usually a Product Design Manager is only responsible for their individual workload, but may have a small team of Junior Design Managers to oversee, depending on the size of the company and its hierarchical structure.
Product Design Manager roles
If you are looking for a Product Design Manager job role or would like to find out how to become a Product Design Manager, what skills you need, and what salaries are on offer, you will find a complete guide below.
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What is a Product Design Manager?
Product Design Managers play a critical role in the development of any product. They oversee the entire design process from ideation to production and ensure that the final product meets the needs and desires of the target audience. In essence, Product Design Managers are responsible for the overall look, feel, and functionality of a product.
To understand the role of a Product Design Manager, it’s essential to define what product design entails. Product design involves the creation of products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The process typically starts with an idea, which is then refined through research, prototyping, and testing.
Product Design Managers are responsible for overseeing this entire process. They work with a team of designers, engineers, and other professionals to ensure that the final product meets the desired specifications. They are responsible for setting project timelines, managing budgets, and ensuring that the design team is working efficiently.
Read our guide to a Product Design Manager.
What does a Product Design Manager do?
One of the critical tasks of a Product Design Manager is to ensure that the product meets the needs of the target audience. To do this, they must have a deep understanding of the market, including customer needs, preferences, and trends. They work with the design team to create user personas, conduct user research, and gather feedback throughout the design process. This information is used to inform the design decisions and ensure that the final product is user-friendly and meets the needs of the target audience.
Another critical aspect of a this role is to ensure that the final product meets the company’s goals and objectives. They work closely with stakeholders, including product managers, marketing teams, and executives, to ensure that the product aligns with the company’s vision and mission. This involves balancing the needs of the target audience with the company’s business objectives, such as revenue targets and profitability.
Product Design Managers are also responsible for managing the design team. This involves hiring and training new designers, managing team dynamics, and ensuring that the team is working collaboratively and efficiently. They also provide guidance and feedback to designers, helping them to improve their skills and grow in their careers.
Product Design Manager salary
In today’s market, a salary of £65,000 to £80,000 would be expected at Product Design Manager level.
Product Design Manager job description
A typical Product Design Manager job description will read something like the below:
Reporting to the Head of Product Design, the Product Design Manager will join an innovative and growing product team to own product design for a core product area of the customer journey.
The Product Design Manager will include some line management responsibility including supporting 1-2 product designers through their growth and development plans.
The Product Design Manager will work to:
- Guide execution of the product design team objectives, managing all areas of the product lifecycle
- Uphold all design standards, showcasing best practise design processes and applying these where required
- Lead designers through design work by being well versed in design methodology
- Drive user centric design solutions and processes, understanding how design drives key business KPIs such as conversion and retention metrics
- Ensure good lines of communication are open with senior stakeholders, across different functions
- Cut through the noise to prioritise the commercial decisions that are going to add real value
To be successful in this Product Design Manager role, you will:
- Have a Master’s degree in Product Design
- Have at least 5 years experience as a Product Designer within a similar business, with experience working across the relevant sub-disciplines including service design, visual and motion and interaction design
- Have demonstrable experience within product design, with a good portfolio of previous work
- Have previous experience of releasing successful applications
- Have a highly analytical mindset, driven by metrics and KPIs
- Implement a fact-based decision-making across the design team
- Expert use of Figma, Miro and prototyping software
Product Design interview questions
Read our guide to the top 50+ Product Design interview questions, often asked by employers at interview.
What Product Designer skills are employers looking for?
Innovation: be able to push the boundaries of design and come up with innovative ideas that differentiate their products from competitors. They should have a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies and be able to incorporate them into their product designs.
Analytical skills: be able to analyse and interpret data to make informed decisions. They should have experience with market research, user testing, and product analytics to understand the user experience and improve the product.
Attention to detail: have a strong attention to detail to ensure that every aspect of the product meets the required specifications. They should be able to identify and resolve design issues and ensure that the final product is of the highest quality.
Adaptability: be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in their approach to design. They should be able to pivot quickly if necessary and make adjustments to the design process based on new information or feedback.
Customer focus: have a customer-centric approach to design and be able to put the needs of the customer first. They should have a deep understanding of the customer journey and be able to design products that solve their problems and meet their needs.
Marketing skills: Product design managers should have a good understanding of marketing principles and be able to create designs that resonate with the target audience. They should be able to work closely with the marketing team to create compelling product messaging and branding.
Cultural awareness: Product design managers should have a good understanding of cultural differences and be able to design products that are sensitive to diverse cultural perspectives. They should be able to work effectively with global teams and adapt their designs to different markets.
In summary, employers look for Product Design Managers who possess a combination of innovation, analytical skills, attention to detail, adaptability, customer focus, marketing skills, and cultural awareness. These skills help product design managers to create products that are innovative, customer-focused, and culturally sensitive, driving growth for the company.
Product Design Manager FAQs
- What is a Product Design Manager?
- A Product Design Manager guides execution of the product design team objectives, managing all areas of the product lifecycle. They are responsible for upholding all design standards, showcasing best practise design processes and applying these where required.
- What qualifications do you need to be a Product Design Manager?
- To be a successful Product Design Manager, you may have a Master’s degree in Product Design.
- What is the role of a Product Designer?
- A Product Design Manager guides execution of the product design team objectives, managing all areas of the product lifecycle. They are responsible for upholding all design standards, showcasing best practise design processes and applying these where required.
