Product Designer job description template

4 steps to creating a product designer job description that fits your needs 

Now that you’ve seen a sample product designer job description, it’s time to write a job description for your business. It’s best to write out a detailed list of the job responsibilities and requirements ahead of time since this will make it easier to envision your ideal designer and write a description that describes them. The following points will guide you through the process of drafting your job description. 

1. Determine what type of product designer you need

Product designers can specialize in many different types of design, so it’s important to define the type of designer you need. Many product designers work on the development and creation of items that customers will physically handle, including technology devices, furniture, toys, appliances, and more. Some product designers focus on digital products, including websites and mobile apps, while others focus on processes, like traffic flow within a store. 

Each type of design requires that a designer is aware of specific nuances and industry best practices. If you’re focusing on physical products, then it’s best to find a designer who has experience working with similar types of products. 

2. Employee vs. independent contractor vs. agency

You’ll also need to think about the best work arrangement for your company. You can hire a product designer in-house, contract with one through an agency, or work with a designer operating as an independent contractor. An independent contractor can help fill your needs for a single project, or you might work with them on an ongoing basis. An agency might have connections with several product designers who cover multiple projects or different design elements. And if you hire someone in-house, you’ll be gaining another employee, but you’ll also need to have enough work to make that arrangement sustainable. 

Each work arrangement has its pros and cons, and you’ll want to think about the type and amount of work you have available. Worker classification can be tricky, so check out our compliance services resources page for more information and run any questions by your employment lawyer. 

3. Experience

Defining the amount of experience an ideal candidate has can help you connect with designers who are most qualified for the project. The more experienced a product designer is, the greater their skill set, allowing them to work more independently. But entry-level product designers can be helpful, too, since they can help with less complicated projects and, with supervision, you can train them into skilled, experienced designers. Think about your project scope, budget, and staffing needs to determine how much experience is best for the job. 

4. Industry 

Product designers work across many industries, and many designers also choose to specialize in a particular area. For example, a product designer who works for a consumer electronics company might specialize in designing mobile devices. A designer for a toy manufacturer might specialize in working with certain types of toys, like racing car sets or scooters. 

It’s often best to choose designers with experience working within your industry, and even better, with experience working with the types of products you’ll create. 

Next steps

Once you’ve written your product designer job description, check out our list of top product designers on Upwork. The designers’ experience and qualifications are all clearly listed, making it easy to find a designer who’s the right fit for your business needs.

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.