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Learn about product design

Product design can determine whether new business offerings succeed or fail. Good product design puts a user’s needs first. Learn how to design a product with online courses delivered through edX.

What is product design?

Product design is the multistage process of planning, conceptualizing, and developing new products or services. The initial phase of the process emphasizes research. Team’s not only conduct a market analysis to identify gaps that need to be filled, they also conduct field research to understand their potential customers’ needs. With that understanding, they can begin to ideate and conceptualize creative solutions. The best solutions move into a prototyping phase where teams build out the concept to test it with users. Based on observations and feedback, the concepts will be adjusted, retooled or scrapped depending on whether they serve their purpose. Designs are iterative, with many being cut along the way, so that only the best reach the market. Product design can be applied in businesses large and small, across various industries.

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How to learn product design online

Whether they are simply interested in the topic or they plan to begin a career in the field, learners can study product design with online courses offered through edX. Curriculum can include a range of subjects, such as design thinking, the principles of manufacturing, and emerging technologies. From foundational tutorials to advanced courses, a variety of educational opportunities are available that can fit different learners’ needs.

Careers in product design

Product design can lead to a fulfilling career for creatives, engineers, and researchers, alike. The field is not solely focused on developing the most interesting design. It emphasizes meeting the needs of people. Having a keen eye and being able to spot problems that people experience in their everyday lives can help inform the best solutions. 

Professionals can also find product design jobs in a range of industries. A product designer for a tech company may help create the next generation of a phone or laptop. Meanwhile, a professional in the food industry may spend their time designing new soda cans, cereal boxes, or frozen meals. Explore how learning product design can advance your career with courses delivered through edX and begin your educational journey today.