Product Design, Management or Marketing: Which Is Right for You?

The Bulb Africa
5 min readMay 15, 2024

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The product industry is experiencing a digital revolution, with various digital products being integrated into our daily lives and workplaces. You might have heard the terms Product Design, Product Management and Product Marketing but never really understood the difference.

It’s important to note that these roles are not mutually exclusive. Many companies require these cross-functional teams that work together to create a successful product.

But which field is the best fit for you? Is it Product Management, Product Design, or Product Marketing? Let’s find out!

First, let’s define each of these roles.

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PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

A product manager is responsible for the product. A product manager’s responsibilities will often include owning the product’s strategy, developing and maintaining the product roadmap, and conveying the roadmap to the development team to ensure they build the product according to plan.

Watch a Day in a Product Manager’s Life➜

PRODUCT DESIGN

This focuses on creating a user-friendly and visually appealing product that aligns with the target audience’s needs. Making sure the finished product satisfies the design objectives entails doing user research, designing prototypes, creating wireframes, and collaborating closely with developers.

PRODUCT MARKETING

A product marketer’s primary responsibility is to communicate the product’s value to the market. A product marketer’s responsibility could include training the sales force on how to sell the product, creating marketing materials that communicate product features, and developing marketing tools and campaigns to attract new prospects and customers.

Now that we have a better understanding of each role, let’s explore which suits you best.

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Product Management is the glue that holds everything together.

Product Management is the art of balancing competing interests to create a product that customers will love. They collaborate with the product development team to make sure the product is developed with the needs of the consumer in mind, and they work with the sales and marketing teams to make sure the product is appropriately positioned and priced.

Think of them as the quarterback of the product team — they call the plays and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Those who enjoy analyzing data, making informed decisions, and working collaboratively with cross-functional teams might fit well into product management. This might be a good fit for those who enjoy working on projects from conception to completion.

Product Design is all about making things look good.

Product Designers are the creative force behind the aesthetics and feel of a product. They collaborate closely with the development team to guarantee that their concepts can be created and with product management to comprehend the demands of the consumer. They’re responsible for everything from the layout of a website to the colour of a button.

In other words, they make sure that the product is not only functional but also visually appealing.

If you are interested in exploring and pushing creative boundaries? Product design might be the right career move for you. You should consider this if you have an eye for detail, enjoy creating wireframes, and can work collaboratively with developers and stakeholders.

Product Marketing is the voice of the customer.

Product Marketing is responsible for telling the story of the product to the world. As a team, they work closely with Product Management to understand the customer, with the development team to understand the product, and with Sales to understand the market.

It is they who create the messaging and positioning that will resonate with the target audience. In short, they’re the ones who make sure that the right people know about the product and use it.

You might be the right candidate if you enjoy connecting with customers, understanding their needs and behaviours, and crafting messages that resonate with them, then product marketing might be the perfect career for you.

If you enjoy working with cross-functional teams, conducting market research, and crafting marketing strategies, you should consider this career path.

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The Battle of Product Management, Design, and Marketing: Which Suits You Best? Make a pick!

Product Management, Product Design, and Product Marketing all work together.

While each field has its unique focus, they all work together to create a successful product. Product Management ensures that the product meets customer needs, Product Design makes sure it looks good, and Product Marketing makes sure the right people know about it. Without one of these fields, the product wouldn’t be as successful. The right field for you depends on your skills and interests.

It is also estimated that product managers earn an annual salary of $44,087 on average. Product designers, on the other hand, make an average of $92,212. With an average salary of $79,179, product marketers also have good earning potential. These fields pay differently depending on factors like experience, location, and industry.

To sum up, regardless of your interest in product management, product design, or product marketing, each of these professions is essential to the success of a product.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each field, you can then make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

So, which role is best for you? Are you interested in becoming a product manager, designer, or marketer? Take advantage of our Fellowship Program and explore your options. Here at The Bulb Africa, we’re committed to helping you reach your tech career goals and empowering you to succeed.

Click here if you want to become a TECH BRO/SIS & start EARNING BIG

Things You Should Know

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The Bulb Africa
The Bulb Africa

Written by The Bulb Africa

The Bulb Africa is a platform for Africans leveraging technology. We provide training and incubation programs that help turn tech ideas into business realities.

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