Lets face it, design plays a huge part in all our lives.
Simply put, design shapes the world we live in.
Its importance really cant be underestimated.
But how much do you really know about this exciting sector?
It would be silly to lump all designers together.
If you asked a product designer to create a user pathway they wouldnt know where to begin.
Likewise, if you tasked an experiential designer with creating a website, they would likely panic.
Product designer vs industrial designer
Product design is all about creating aesthetically pleasing products.
It can include anything from furniture to cutlery.
They are usually sold as designer items in small quantities.
Product design is sometimes seen as a subset of industrial design.
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Good industrial designers need to have a strong business head on their shoulders.
Key skills:Strong creative flair, commercial awareness, and excellent organizational skills.
Average salary:53,257
In a nutshell:Product design is more about creating products.
Industrial design is about creating solutions and taking them to manufacture.
To begin with, graphic designers will often work with print deliverables such as brochures, posters and invitations.
These can contain things like choosing logos, images or fonts.
Key skills:IT skills, typography, and attention to detail.
Average salary:32,821
On the other side of the coin you have visual designers.
Visual designers will often work with their clients to find out their goals and ideas.
Using this information, they then create design plans for any visual elements that the company needs.
Key skills:Experience with animation, problem-solving skills, and software knowledge.
Experiential designer vs interaction designer
Have you ever heard of an experiential designer?
Well, their job is actually pretty cool.
They create displays and environments that communicate a message.
This can include everything from marketing campaigns to art exhibitions or public installations.
To do this, they of course need amazing design skills but also an awareness of human behavior.
Key skills:Critical thinking, communication design, and organizational skills.
Usually these products tend to be software products like apps or websites.
They typically focus on elements like aesthetics, motion, sound, and space.
Key skills:Interaction design skills, people skills, and a strong portfolio.
UX designers shape and create the user journey to see to it its as easy and seamless as possible.
Key skills:Information architecture, wireframing, and visual communication.
In comparison, user interface designers decide what an interface should look like.
While interaction design determines whats on a website and how people use those elements.
Interface design determines what those elements look like.
Key skills:Design strategy, industry knowledge, and data analysis.
