Product vs. Consultancy
Where Should You Work as a Designer?
As a designer, choosing between a product company and a consultancies can significantly impact your career path. Each environment offers unique challenges, learning experiences, and ways of working.
I attended W Summit Bangalore on March 8, 2025, where a panel discussion explored the differences between working as a designer in a consultancy versus a product company. The conversation was insightful, shedding light on the unique challenges, opportunities, and expectations in both environments.
As the conversation progressed, the panelists shared their experiences on how design is approached in consultancies versus product companies, the key skills required, and the trade-offs one must navigate in each setting.
Below, I’ve compiled my notes from the discussion to help designers who may be wondering: Which environment is the right fit for me?
Let’s dive in!
What Defines Good Design?
The conversation started with a fundamental truth: Good design isn’t just about what looks good — it’s about what solves a user problem. In product companies, designers balance three key goals:
- Product goal (what the product aims to achieve)
- User goal (what the end-user needs)
- Business goal (what drives revenue and growth)
In consultancies, the goal often shifts depending on the client, their industry, and business needs. Designers must focus on presenting ROI-driven solutions that directly benefit the client’s business.
Consultancy vs. Product: Who Should Work Where?
Azmina shared a simple way to determine where you fit: “Understanding who you are matters the most.”
Working in a Consultancy
- You solve problems for diverse industries, bringing new challenges every day.
- The work is fast-paced, and you often co-create solutions with clients.
- You need to educate clients about the design process and advocate for UX.
- Your job is to give clients a North Star — a vision for their product.
- Since clients focus on ROI, positioning UX solutions in terms of business impact is critical.
Working in a Product Company
- If you enjoy deep diving into details and continuously improving a product, this is the place for you.
- Most product companies already know their North Star, so designers work in phases to refine it.
- You will spend more time understanding user problems by listening to customer call recordings and analyzing feedback.
- Small details matter — whether it’s a micro-interaction, notification, or illustration, every aspect of the product needs attention.
Challenges: Consultancy vs. Product Design
Challenges in Consultancies
- Education & Advocacy: Educating clients about UX is important, but educating your own team about the value of design is 80% of the challenge.
- Stakeholder Management: You might talk to one set of people while the real decision-makers are elsewhere. Identifying key stakeholders is crucial.
- Wearing Multiple Hats: Consultants don’t just design — they also present, educate, strategize, and negotiate.
- Winning Client Trust: Clients may not always understand the impact of design. You must communicate its value in terms of business impact to gain their confidence.
Challenges in Product Companies
- Compromises & Prioritization: You won’t always get what you want. Convincing stakeholders requires an elevator pitch mindset — you might have only a few minutes to explain why something is important.
- Timelines & Expectations: One panelist shared an experience where he was asked for a timeline immediately after receiving a design problem. His takeaway? Always be prepared with follow-up questions to clarify requirements.
- Detail-Oriented Work: Unlike consultancies, where broad strokes matter more, product designers focus on refining even the smallest details over time.
Which One is Right for You?
If you…
- Enjoy fast-paced environments and working with multiple industries → Consultancy might be a better fit
- Love refining details and deeply understanding a single product → Product company is ideal
- Prefer explaining design decisions and educating stakeholders → Consultancy is a great choice
- Like data-driven iteration and long-term user feedback → Product design is more rewarding
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what excites you the most as a designer. Understanding your strengths, work style, and career goals will help you make the right choice.
No matter which path you choose, both offer unique learning experiences. If you’re unsure, try both early in your career — your experience will guide you to where you thrive best!
Where do you see yourself thriving — consultancy or product? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Get in touch: krisakshi3@gmail.com
