I myself am also a product design major, and I was also very confused after entering this major, but now I look at it, I have been in the product design industry for more than ten years, so here, I will give you some tips on how to improve yourself, I hope to help you get through the period of confusion.
First of all, you must have a solid foundation of professional knowledgeIn-depth study of subject knowledgeis very importantRead classic works on product design, learn about design theories and principles, subscribe to industry journals and blogs, and follow design trends and cutting-edge technologies.
Design tools and softwareProficiency in mastery, which can help you become comfortable in later work, become proficient in using software such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign in Adobe Creative Suite, which is the foundation of many design jobs, and master professional prototyping tools such as Sketch, Figma or Adobe XD to support UX design.
3D modeling skillsIt's also something to learn, learn to use Blender, Rhino or other 3D modeling software, which is important for stereoscopic construction and rendering in product design, explore emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), and understand their applications in product design.
Proactively look for actual projects, which can be an individual project, a volunteer project, or a team project with classmates, focused on:Complete design process, from concept to prototype to final product.
LearnUser Experience (UX) Design, including surveys, user interviews, and prototype testing, concernsInteraction Design Principlesto learn best practices for user interface design.
Participate in creative workshopsLearn creative thinking skills, such as design thinking, brainstorming, and mind mapping, try to apply different design approaches to projects to stimulate innovation and problem-solving skills.
Create a professional and impressive personal brand, including your own design style and philosophy, and maintaining a regularly updated portfolio that showcases your design capabilities and trajectory across different projects.
Participate in the design communityto join platforms and social groups with other designersExchange experiences and make connectionsAttend design-related seminars, exhibitions, and conferences to interact with professionals in the industry.
Regularly review your own design workAnalyze the factors of success and failureSeek feedback from peers and mentors to continuously improve and refine your design skills.
Keep learning, attend ** courses, seminars and trainings to stay informed about new technologies and design trends, considerFurther studies in the field of designto earn a higher level of education or certification.
Finally, I will give you a very substantive suggestion, that isTry to find an internship with a company in advanceWhen you really devote yourself to the work, you will realize that the company and the school are two different environments, in the school you learn all theoretical knowledge, and the product design industry needs you to practice by yourself, so it is recommended that you find an internship company in advance to adapt to it, see how other masters design, and follow the learning. This is an article I wrote before, you can also take a look at it for reference.
What is the current state of employment in industrial design? Take a look at the advice of veteran designers!