How to Build a Career in Design Thinking: Roles, Skills, and Salaries

Design thinking is no longer limited to product design or creative teams. Today, it’s a way of solving complex business problems — across industries like education, healthcare, finance, and technology.

If you’ve ever looked at a problem and thought, “There has to be a better way to do this,” then design thinking could be your career path. It’s a field where creativity meets strategy, and empathy meets innovation.

In this post, we’ll explore how to build a career in design thinking, the roles available in India, the essential skills you’ll need, and what kind of salaries professionals earn in this field.

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving. It involves understanding users deeply, challenging assumptions, and finding creative solutions through experimentation.

The process typically includes five stages:

1. Empathize – Understand user needs and challenges.

2. Define – Identify the core problem.

3. Ideate – Generate creative ideas.

4. Prototype – Build quick models of solutions.

5. Test – Gather feedback and refine.

Companies use design thinking to innovate faster and make smarter, user-focused decisions. As a result, professionals skilled in this methodology are in high demand.

Organizations are shifting from product-first to people-first models. Whether it’s developing a new app, improving customer experience, or designing a service, design thinkers are leading the way.

In India, design thinking jobs are growing across IT, banking, education, consulting, and government sectors. Startups and MNCs alike are investing in design thinking to build customer trust and loyalty.

According to LinkedIn reports and job portals, roles mentioning “design thinking” have increased sharply in the past five years, particularly in metro cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon.

Let’s look at some of the most promising roles for professionals entering this space:

1. Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants help companies reimagine processes, products, and services through design thinking. They lead workshops, run design sprints, and guide cross-functional teams toward creative problem-solving.

• Ideal for: Professionals with backgrounds in consulting, business strategy, or entrepreneurship.

• Salary range: ₹10–20 LPA for mid-level roles.

2. UX Strategist

UX Strategists bridge business goals and user experience. They ensure every touchpoint — from websites to mobile apps — aligns with customer needs.

• Ideal for: Designers, developers, or marketers who enjoy blending research with creativity.

• Salary range: ₹8–18 LPA depending on experience and company size.

3. Product Manager

Product Managers use design thinking to define product vision, prioritize features, and ensure solutions solve real customer problems. They combine analytical and creative skills to deliver meaningful user experiences.

• Ideal for: Professionals from engineering, marketing, or management backgrounds.

• Salary range: ₹12–25 LPA and above in tech-led industries.

4. Service Designer

Service Designers look at the bigger picture — how users interact with a service over time. They map customer journeys, identify pain points, and create seamless experiences across touchpoints.

• Ideal for: People-oriented professionals with an interest in systems design.

• Salary range: ₹9–20 LPA.

5. Design Thinking Facilitator / Trainer

As organizations adopt this approach, facilitators who can train teams in design thinking principles are in growing demand.

• Ideal for: Educators, coaches, and consultants.

• Salary range: ₹6–15 LPA (often higher for experienced trainers).

To succeed in design thinking roles, focus on building these skills:

1. Empathy – Understand user emotions, motivations, and needs.

2. Problem Framing – Define the right challenge before finding solutions.

3. Ideation Techniques – Brainstorming, mind mapping, and storytelling.

4. Prototyping Tools – Tools like Figma, Miro, or Adobe XD for rapid mockups.

5. Collaboration and Facilitation – Work effectively with cross-functional teams.

6. Business Understanding – Align creativity with business outcomes.

These skills can be learned through structured programs, workshops, and real-world projects.

Design thinking professionals in India enjoy competitive salaries because their skills drive innovation and customer satisfaction — both critical business goals.

Source: Naukri, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn data (2025 estimates)

Salaries vary depending on industry, company size, and location, but as design-led thinking becomes mainstream, these figures are expected to rise.

If you’re new to the field, start by building your foundation. Learn the principles, practice real-world projects, and document your process.

A structured program such as the PG Certificate in Design Thinking (PGCDT) from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) can help you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure.

This online diploma in design thinking is ideal for working professionals who want to apply creative problem-solving techniques in business, education, or technology.

You’ll learn how to:

• Apply design thinking frameworks to real challenges

• Lead innovation projects

• Collaborate effectively across teams

• Think critically and creatively

It’s a strong starting point for anyone aspiring to enter roles like Innovation Consultant or Product Manager.

1. Do I need a design background to start a career in design thinking?
No. Design thinking is a multidisciplinary approach. Professionals from management, engineering, marketing, or education can learn and apply it effectively.

2. Is design thinking a high-paying career in India?
Yes. With increasing adoption across industries, design thinking professionals — especially consultants and strategists — earn competitive salaries ranging from ₹8–25 LPA.

3. What industries hire design thinking professionals?
You’ll find opportunities in IT, consulting, education, healthcare, and product development. Even government projects now employ design thinking for policy design and citizen experience.

4. How can I learn design thinking while working full-time?
You can enroll in an online design thinking certificate course like SCDL’s PG Certificate in Design Thinking and Innovation, which offers flexibility for working professionals.

Design thinking is more than a career — it’s a mindset. It trains you to see challenges as opportunities and to innovate with empathy.

If you’re curious, analytical, and enjoy solving problems that make people’s lives better, design thinking could be your next big career move.

👉 Start your journey with SCDL’s PG Certificate in Design Thinking and Innovation for Professionals and learn to create ideas that truly make an impact.