Here's how you can highlight your transferable skills when transitioning to product design.

As a former Architect who transitioned into Product Design, I can say that previous skills learnt never go to waste. There are always a set of transferable skills that can be applied to one's current role. For me, studying architecture taught me the foundations of design and how to prefect storytelling. Architecture was also user-centric design and involved problem solving and visual communication. So the only difference I see between these 2 fields are that in architecture I focused on spacial design and in product design I focused on digital design! So map out skills that can be carried forward to your new role and i'm sure you'll be able to leverage them in your own unique way!

When transitioning to product design, highlighting your transferable skills is key. Focus on showcasing abilities such as problem-solving, creativity, and communication, which are essential in product design. Emphasize any experience with user research, project management, or collaboration across teams. Additionally, demonstrate your adaptability and eagerness to learn new tools and methods. Tailoring your portfolio to include projects that reflect design thinking, even from other fields, can also make your transition smoother and more convincing.

Listar as principais atividades do dia a dia do Designer de Produtos e criar um paralelo com suas experiências anteriores pode ser um bom come?o para entender onde você possuí uma experiência prévia. Afinal, quem nunca ajudou um amigo entendendo o problema, pensando em solu??es, analisando cenários similares e quebrando o problema em partes para testar diferentes abordagens? No inicio pode parecer um bicho de sete cabe?as, mas falar com pessoas do cenário, buscar mentoria e compartilhar suas experiências pode dar clareza para come?ar a organizar suas ideias e aproxima-lo de um framework de trabalho de um designer de produtos. Ah, leitura sobre o tema também é sempre bem vinda e ajuda demais ;)

I have owned and still own a creative firm that is specialized in Corporate Identity & Branding for 28 years. We have been creating brands & branding 3rd party products for decades. Recently in the past 5 years when we started on 3D modeling & creating products for clients we had two major advantages: Understanding the consumer and knowing how to market the product. Combine that with product design and our clients get now a fully fledged design ready for production

I think the most important skill in general for product designers (and many other jobs) is problem solving. A product designer is often required to negotiate opposing forces and come up with cohesive solutions that address all major needs in a way that is effective. They also have to be able to communicate how their solution solves the problems so that they keep their teams and direct reports on the same page.

Portfolio creation is essential in product design. This is how you can showcase your experience to recruiters and stakeholders. A good portfolio sets you apart from thousands of candidates applying for a role. It's a story, not just some pictures. A well-designed portfolio narrates your path in design. You can highlight the issue you resolved, your design strategy, and the effective result for each project. This storytelling is valued by employers. A portfolio also allows a recruiter to know if your experience is what is needed for the role you are applying for. Creating and keeping up a portfolio requires constant work. You can edit your portfolio to showcase your development as you take on new tasks and hone your abilities.

Accentuate your transferable skills by showcasing problem-solving abilities, user-centric thinking, and project management experience. Highlight your proficiency in research, data analysis, and collaboration from previous roles. Demonstrate how your background in areas like graphic design, marketing, or engineering provides a unique perspective in product design. Use specific examples to illustrate how these skills have successfully contributed to past projects and how they align with product design objectives.

It's all well and good talking about transferrable skills, but what you need to do is show that they're useful. Quit talking and start working on building that portfolio in the direction that you want to move into. So, if it's product design, start designing a product (even if it's only a concept) to make it amazing for users, then put it in your portfolio and build it up from there. If it's good enough, people will notice. Just get started.

One of the most overused portfolio techniques is showing every single step of the process - this almost certainly means that you're in school, just out of school or that you're amateur. Instead, give the big one-liners, the impressive short statements, the impactful stats that highlight the RESULT of your work. Process is very important and you can display your process, but it doesn't have to be by showing low res images that prove you know how sticky notes work. Give 3 bullets about how you identified issues and opportunties, how you approached them and how you ended up solving them.

A good portfolio is that that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and user-centered thinking. Even if your previous work wasn't directly related to product design, focus on the aspects that are relevant, such as research, wireframing, or usability testing, and make sure to include case studies that detail your process, highlighting how you approached challenges and arrived at solutions. Make sure your portfolio is well-organized and visually appealing, reflecting your design sensibility and attention to detail.

Before I speak of Storytelling Techniques, let us first consider the importance of having a story. A design without a theme or purpose vanishes into thin air or gets dissolved in the crowd of other products. When a story is mentioned it could be the story behind a product you designed earlier, a story to tell on a product you are working on or a story of how a product will be born, survive and fight for positioning.

When interviewing for product design roles or any roles at that, storytelling is an essential aspect of successfully landing the position. Many designers from different roles transition to product design. Roles like graphic designer, game designer, illustrator, multimedia design, and UX/ UI design. The key to making that jump to product design is detailing how your previous roles molded you into a product designer. Speak on the skills learned in other roles that qualify for what product design entails. Mention project stories that were considered a success, also list any challenges encountered.

Telling your story is incredibly important when looking to transition careers. There are always valauble epxeriences and skills that are transferable to other industries and disciplines. I studied architecture and designed skyscrapers professionally and the problem-solving process I used in architecture is now the core foundation for our AI within our SaaS product. Look for the connections, the tie-ins, the overlaps that others wont see because you have a unique perspective. Take advantage of it and make it a unique value point rather than something you need to explain.

When discussing your experience, frame your narrative around the skills you've developed and how they apply to product design. For instance, if you come from a background in graphic design like I do, emphasize how your understanding of typography, visual hierarchy and aesthetics translates to creating intuitive user interfaces. Use specific examples to illustrate your points, and relate your past achievements to potential contributions in a product design role.

When transitioning to product design, effectively showcase your transferable skills by identifying core competencies that align with design requirements, such as problem-solving, creativity, and user empathy. Highlight relevant experiences from past roles, demonstrating how these skills contribute to user-centered design processes. Emphasize adaptability and your ability to learn and apply new design principles swiftly.

Networking is often seen as the most valuable activity because of the doors that it opens. Building trust with other people and spreading the word about who you are and what you do can lead to more job offers, easier sales and more social proof. I'd recommend expanding your network beyond the product design community because they are your direct competitors and it's often most valuable to be connected to those on the fringe of your industry or focus. When the time comes for needing product design services, you'll be the first person to come to mind.

Tailor your resume and portfolio to showcase relevant projects and experiences, and clearly articulate how these skills have contributed to past successes, making you a strong candidate for a product design position.

Networking as a product designer should be a top priority if you want to grow significantly in your career. You get to meet designers from different industries at meetups, via design blog posts and design communities. Meeting new designers expose you to endless possibilities in the aspect of collaborating with developers, other designers to build tools and referrals for jobs as many positions are filled through referrals and personal connections. Networking also plays a major role in being updated with the design trends, tools and technologies in use. As a product designer your visibility and awareness within the field of design can be enhanced by actively taking part in conferences, industry events, and online communities

Continuous learning is incredibly important for many reasons. For one, you'll get bored if you aren't learning new things, so in general, you'll be a happier person if you're excited and inspired. Continuous learning also has a significant positive benefit in your work as you uncover new tools, methods, connections that can help you propel your work in various ways. Never get too comfortable with where you're at and always remember you don't know what you don't know. It'll help you find new things that broaden your horizon.

Bridges Skill Gaps: Embracing continuous learning helps you identify and address skill gaps in your transition to product design. Courses in design thinking, user experience (UX), or relevant software can fill these gaps and enhance your transferable skills, making you more versatile and competent in your new role.

Carefully read the job description to understand the required skills, responsibilities, and expectations. Learn about the company’s products, design philosophy, and recent projects to tailor your responses accordingly. Review key design principles such as color theory, typography, layout, and usability. Understand user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design fundamentals, including wireframing, prototyping, and user testing. Practice whiteboard design challenges to get comfortable thinking and sketching out ideas on the spot.

Highlight experiences that show your ability to understand user needs, iterate designs based on feedback, and manage projects effectively. Tailor your resume and portfolio to demonstrate these skills, ensuring they align with the specific requirements of product design roles.

Interviews can be overwhelming at times as a product designer but with adequate preparation you can ace your interviews. When preparing for an interview with a company make sure you make research about the company's vision if they align with yours, take out time to check their products and read about them. Discuss about the product during the interview and point out what interest you the most about the product and why your skillset will play a vital role in the success of that product. This will show your sense of interest in the success of the company. Remember to talk about your experience at your previous company and the success you achieved there. Explain the value you are bringing into the company as a product designer.

When transitioning to product design, highlight transferable skills such as problem-solving, empathy, and user-focused thinking. Demonstrate your experience in collaborative environments and your ability to adapt and learn new tools. Tailor your resume and portfolio to showcase projects that reflect design thinking and user experience principles, even if they're from different fields.