Physical Product Designer

Physical Product Designer qualifications to look for 

A physical product designer is all about the consumer product from concept to design and development. 

They may be tasked to improve existing product designs by analyzing working concepts from competitors. Or, they may be charged with designing a completely new product from conception. 

Your top hire may hold a bachelor's degree and should have solid work experience.

The best designers will know the ins and outs of computer-assisted design (CAD) and have an excellent concept to launch mindset. 

Look for candidates with a passion for design beyond the boundaries of their own specialties. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who are:

• Critical-thinkers
• Observant about everyday life and the objects that make it possible
• Naturally curious
• Innovative
• Always on the lookout for better ways of doing things 
  

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Behavioral interview questions

• What are you currently working on?
• What was your design process for this (portfolio piece selected)? What problems were you trying to solve? How did you make a certain design decision?
• How do you take ownership of the work in your portfolio? 
• What’s your prototype process like? How do you narrow down your best ideas?
• How do you relate to the end-user when designing a product? What research methods do you do when starting a new project?
• What do you do when a project doesn’t go as planned? How do you solve any problems?
• Do you have a side project you're working on?
• What was your favorite course or seminar you’ve taken? What aspect of your course did you find most engaging?
  

Role-specific interview questions

• Have them do a whiteboard exercise related to your company or a project your designers are currently working on.
• How would you design a [product you’d like to create]?
• What’s the process like when you critique your own work?