Keeping your skill set up is very important for product designers. There is always new technology, software, tools, and tips popping up for designers to learn and implement into their projects. Being able to stay up to date on product design is critical, and when done effectively, your career could advance much faster.
Most efficiency comes from new software tools product designers can utilize to crank out aspect of project as much faster than ever before. This could be why more than half of manufacturing jobs are now in the design field. Manufacturing companies are seeing the value of having top-notch designers at the ready to increase production and bring more products to market faster than competitors.
More design jobs, however, means more competition in your craft. So being ready to work with the latest tech, software, and tools is a must. The following software tools tips can make a big difference in your next product design project. Let’s take a closer look.
Understand How To Design For IoT — It’s The Future
IoT devices are everywhere in today’s digital age. We have smartphones, smart watches, advanced GPS add ons in our cars, drones, and so much more. As a product designer you need to have the design skills relevant to the time. Right now, we are in the time of IoT.
Knowing how to utilize the best PCB design software can make a big time difference in how you put your electrical design together. Just knowing the material to source, how to label it in your design, and how it will work with multiple electronic components can put you above so many others in the design space.
Spend More Time On Drawing Your Product
This is an often overlooked design tip that many might think is not as relevant. However, it most certainly is. And drawing your product out is not just a pen to paper affair anymore. There is tech that allows product designers to sketch product on Apple Macs and iPads, with the ability to bring those drawing to life afterward.
This takes a few once annoying steps out of sketching products, since your entire design process can be digital. Ready to sketch in the digital era? You can buy software for your iPad, and you can take a few online courses to get some base knowledge when it comes to sketching on a screen using a digital pencil.
Design? There May Be An App For That
While we are still on the digital age topic, let’s talk about using applications to further your design skills. Mobile apps are certainly commonplace for just about everyone. But, did you know that there are apps for getting design ideas in industrial design? Yes, there is, and they are affordable.
There are apps like Red Dot, that are made just for design in the industrial design space. You can use Red Dot to get new ideas and grow your design business in new and exciting ways. This is also a great mobile app for any newbie designers out there looking to get inspired too.
Do Not Sell Yourself Short
This is a very important product design tip that has a mental and technical application. One of the biggest issues designers have is getting paid what the project is actually worth. This can be attributed to the boom in product design over the last decade. Let’s face it, tech innovation is great, but it also allows everyone to get a taste for design, even if he or she is not a good designer.
So, pricing projects and your time could prove challenging these days. The good news is that there are ways to easily price design project using tech and help from other designers. Software platforms like Innovative Product Design can help you come up with a price for future work. You can also get updates on patenting, prototypes, and more.
Are You Using The Best Design Software Tools For The Job?
The above design software tools and tips may help you maximize your skills. They are, however, not the only software tools and tips product designers need to have to grow. There is a lot out there to help. The best way to know what’s new is to keep your thumb on the pulse of your industry.
Network, read, listen to podcasts, and go to events in order to stay informed. This can help your grow your skills and give you a leg up when you come head-to-head with the competition, bidding for a project. Are you ready to take your design to the next level?
