Product Design vs UX Design: The Detailed Comparison

Design responsibilities are distinct for a variety of reasons. The growth of the digital design sector is accelerating along with the development of the digital world. There are currently numerous functionalities accessible to handle diverse difficulties with various company requirements. And the first distinction that comes to me is between product design and UX design.

Although they have similar appearances, these two design responsibilities serve distinct purposes. Whether it’s a single product or the entire website or app, designers typically keep the aesthetics in tact. Users do, after all, value aesthetics. Additionally, according to the most recent scientific study, 38% of visitors may leave a website if it has an unattractive layout.

However, the aesthetic design does not only mean layouts and images. It also implies user experience, which must be suitable for retaining users. Hence, designers play various responsibilities with several specializations.

But, every designer plays a distinct role. Although some skills are essential for all of them, specific functions need a particular skill set. Designers’ specialization decides how they can help you meet your business requirements.

What is UX Design?

UX Design (User Experience Design) refers to the design process of improving the overall quality of user interactions with digital products such as websites, mobile apps, and software applications. It involves understanding the target audience and their needs, creating wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs that are aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate and use, and provide a positive and satisfying experience for the end-user. The ultimate goal of UX design is to create digital products that meet the needs and expectations of users, ensuring they have a positive experience while interacting with them.

What is Product Design?

Product design is the process of creating, developing and refining the physical form, function and user experience of a product. It involves combining the principles of engineering, aesthetics, ergonomics, and marketing to create a functional and appealing product that solves a problem or fulfills a need. The goal of product design is to produce a product that not only looks good and functions well, but is also economically feasible to produce and attractive to consumers. This process involves a range of steps, from conceptualization to prototyping, testing, and eventually, mass production and distribution.

Is There Any Similarity Between Product Design and UX Design?

Let’s start by talking about how similar UX designers’ and product designers’ jobs are! In order to meet the needs of the end user, these two design job positions work to produce products that are pleasant and easy to use. The following examples explain how these two design job responsibilities are equivalent to one another:

• precise levels of customisation to make the office completely user-friendly
• streamlined processes and simplicity of use
• establishing real upgrade opportunities, customer feedback loops, and add-ons
  Interesting placement of icons, menus, and buttons used in the workflow.
  It is clear that product designers and UX designers share many common goals. What makes them different from one another then? Check it out below!

What is the Difference Between Product Design and UX Design?

The main difference between these two design job roles is in their aspects. A product designer is more calculated, whereas a UX designer is more strategic. So, how do they differ in every aspect?

1. Designing Methods

UX designers operate differently from product designers, as was already said. UX designers’ main duty is to describe the sensations that a product produces. They write product usage scenarios and interaction patterns to achieve this.

They design a user interface prototype. Additionally, they keep track of user actions using various testing strategies like A/B testing and email surveys.

On the other hand, product designers typically create the overall product’s feel and appearance. They provide details on the roles played by a few particular product components. They also identify a market niche and develop plans for putting the solution to use in solving the problems.

2. Targets and Responsibilities

The differences between a product designer and a UX designer are also determined by responsibilities and concentration. A product designer prioritises commercial requirements above a UX designer, who is initially focused on user demands. For instance, a product designer worries about how the process they use to build products will work with other corporate objectives.

A UX designer, however, only concentrates on the various usability problems that consumers may encounter. Therefore, choosing between a UX designer and a product designer requires careful consideration of duty.

3. Skill Set Needed

The skillset is the most significant difference between product design and UX design. Although the basic things will be similar, the specifications are different. Here’s how we can compare the skills needed for these two specializations:

A product designer should also be inquisitive. They must have strong analytical and logical thinking skills. A product designer must have a strategic mindset because their work involves planning and designing. In a nutshell, they should have extensive market and product understanding.

UX designers do not need to be as inquisitive or sympathetic. They must be adept at organising and studying data. They deal with UX copy frequently, therefore they should be proficient writers as well.

4. Tools Required

The tools that the designers utilise determine their differences as well. Generally speaking, they both rely on prototyping tools integrated into the same design programme. Additionally, UX designers employ interactive and wireframe design tools, whereas product designers use sketch and mind mapping tools.

The relationship between UX design and product design demonstrates the differences between their methods of operation, despite the fact that their fundamental goals are the same. Both of them are capable of meeting your company’s needs.

5. Qualifications Required for Designers

There is no significant difference between the qualifications of product designers and UX designers. They are even the same in this matter:

• Professional experience in the desired sector
• Degree with an appropriate specialization
• Precise knowledge of design methods (planning, instructing, and application)

The required qualifications for these two designers may vary from company to company; however, the mentioned qualifications are fundamental.

6. Salaries of Designers

Product and UX designers make a range of salaries depending on their qualifications, level of experience, workplace, and business. The pay scale for designers is constantly changing. As a result of their strong demand, their wages keep rising daily.

According to reports from many wage aggregation websites, product designers in the US make an average salary that is much higher than UX designers.

Final Words: Importance of Product and UX Design for Your Business

While UX design elaborates those business goals into user journeys, product design is about optimising products to help you achieve your business goals. You may improve the quality of your business and the way it is managed and developed by dispelling common misunderstandings and comprehending the similarities and differences between product design and UX design.

The value of product design and user experience goes beyond simply making users happy. Additionally, creating a strong market presence for your product can help you secure it while providing the best user experience possible. Effective design boosts customer loyalty, reduces development costs, improves ROI, and optimises conversion paths.