10 answers
Shreeya
Student
1
Question
Updated
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Can I follow product design successfully with ease after taking Biology instead of maths because that's what I'm interested in ?
How do I follow a path of product design by taking PCB and a seperate design course. I have no interest in maths even though my dad says it's almost compulsory. I was unable to do maths since a low grade. Biology has always been a strong subject. But can one pursue design by choosing it? If yes, what is the success rate? Currently in class 11 pursuing design.
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10 answers
Brindha Rajangam
Product Design
3
Answers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Updated
Brindha’s Answer
You are already thinking about design long before most people. So you are good. Learn the design around you. Learn psychology, people's behaviours, patterns and things like that. In parallel, find the courses that interests you. Talk to people who are pursuing that education to understand what you need to know and prepare for applying.
Annie Saraceno 🏳️🌈
Senior Product Designer
7
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Annie’s Answer
One of the best things about product design is the unique journeys people take to succeed in their careers. I started with a degree in Public Health, became a technical writer, and then discovered Human-Computer Interaction through a Health Informatics class. That class introduced me to UX design, where I realized I could blend my love for healthcare with creativity, problem-solving, and technology.
My experience is mostly in software and digital design, so I can't speak much about physical product design. In digital UX/product design, basic math helps with page layouts and information architecture, and some math or statistics is useful for research. However, the most important skill is critical thinking, not advanced math.
If you're good at biology and enjoy it, embrace it. A strong science background can make you a great designer because you'll use systems thinking, an experimental approach, and curiosity about the world.
In my experience, being a successful product designer is more about your design process, philosophy, and teamwork than the specific courses you took in school.
My experience is mostly in software and digital design, so I can't speak much about physical product design. In digital UX/product design, basic math helps with page layouts and information architecture, and some math or statistics is useful for research. However, the most important skill is critical thinking, not advanced math.
If you're good at biology and enjoy it, embrace it. A strong science background can make you a great designer because you'll use systems thinking, an experimental approach, and curiosity about the world.
In my experience, being a successful product designer is more about your design process, philosophy, and teamwork than the specific courses you took in school.
Marina Lemberskaya
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marina’s Answer
You can absolutely become a designer, no matter what you're studying now. Biology is also amazing, and you should think about what draws you to it. You might discover ways to combine design and biology. Nature is filled with incredible designs, patterns, and colors. It's wonderful to explore different subjects and have many interests.
Teklemuz Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
711
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz’s Answer
You can definitely pursue product design even if you're studying Biology. What really counts is your ability to understand people and solve everyday problems with creative ideas. Your portfolio is more important than subjects like Math.
Focus on creating visible work by redesigning simple objects like a chair, bottle, or phone stand. Develop sketches or basic 3D models and improve them with feedback from teachers, online communities, or mentors. Watching videos, reading case studies, and gaining experience through volunteering or internships can also give you a better understanding of the field. Your success in admissions and your career will mostly depend on the quality of your portfolio and how much you improve, not your choice of subjects.
Focus on creating visible work by redesigning simple objects like a chair, bottle, or phone stand. Develop sketches or basic 3D models and improve them with feedback from teachers, online communities, or mentors. Watching videos, reading case studies, and gaining experience through volunteering or internships can also give you a better understanding of the field. Your success in admissions and your career will mostly depend on the quality of your portfolio and how much you improve, not your choice of subjects.
Meko Xu
User Experience Designer
2
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Meko’s Answer
Hi Shreeya,
The answer is definitely YES.
Many product designers, including myself, come from very different educational backgrounds. Among the designers I work with, people have studied music, Asian culture, computer science, journalism, and many other subjects before entering product design.
What we all have in common is that we are passionate about product design. We developed the practical skills we needed through design courses, training, personal projects, and real-world experience.
Our different backgrounds actually make us stronger designers because they give us UNIQUE perspectives on people, problems, and creativity. For example, someone with a biology background may have a better understanding of healthcare, human behavior, or scientific thinking, which can be a huge advantage when designing medical, wellness, or science-related products. Diversity in backgrounds often leads to better ideas and more innovative solutions.
To become a successful product designer, basic logical thinking and problem-solving are important, but advanced mathematics is not a requirement for most product design roles, IMO.
If biology is your strength and you're genuinely interested in design, choosing PCB doesn't prevent you from becoming a product designer. The key is to build a strong design portfolio, learn design thinking, practice the necessary tools, and keep improving through projects and feedback.
So if product design is what excites you, don't let your subject combination discourage you. Your background can become one of your biggest strengths rather than a limitation.
I hope this help.
The answer is definitely YES.
Many product designers, including myself, come from very different educational backgrounds. Among the designers I work with, people have studied music, Asian culture, computer science, journalism, and many other subjects before entering product design.
What we all have in common is that we are passionate about product design. We developed the practical skills we needed through design courses, training, personal projects, and real-world experience.
Our different backgrounds actually make us stronger designers because they give us UNIQUE perspectives on people, problems, and creativity. For example, someone with a biology background may have a better understanding of healthcare, human behavior, or scientific thinking, which can be a huge advantage when designing medical, wellness, or science-related products. Diversity in backgrounds often leads to better ideas and more innovative solutions.
To become a successful product designer, basic logical thinking and problem-solving are important, but advanced mathematics is not a requirement for most product design roles, IMO.
If biology is your strength and you're genuinely interested in design, choosing PCB doesn't prevent you from becoming a product designer. The key is to build a strong design portfolio, learn design thinking, practice the necessary tools, and keep improving through projects and feedback.
So if product design is what excites you, don't let your subject combination discourage you. Your background can become one of your biggest strengths rather than a limitation.
I hope this help.
✨ Danuta Chapin, MFA
Designer and Art Director
21
Answers
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Updated
✨ Danuta’s Answer
Hello Shreeya,
Definitely yes — it's important to follow your interests. Everyone is different, and whatever path you choose will naturally evolve: with your studies, with changing job demands, and with any side projects you explore.
For example, I studied Industrial Design with an interest in Fashion. I never changed my major (I changed the university), and honestly, I wish I had. My daughter changed her major three times, and now she’s very happy with where she ended up.
It’s helpful to work closely with your school counselor — they can guide you through class selection and help you understand your options. Will it be easy? I hope so, but “easy” isn’t always the most meaningful path. No matter what you choose, you’ll still need to study hard and stay committed.
In addition, take extra classes in interests you'd like to explore; whatever you learn is yours to keep!
Wishing you the best of luck and happiness on your path!
Definitely yes — it's important to follow your interests. Everyone is different, and whatever path you choose will naturally evolve: with your studies, with changing job demands, and with any side projects you explore.
For example, I studied Industrial Design with an interest in Fashion. I never changed my major (I changed the university), and honestly, I wish I had. My daughter changed her major three times, and now she’s very happy with where she ended up.
It’s helpful to work closely with your school counselor — they can guide you through class selection and help you understand your options. Will it be easy? I hope so, but “easy” isn’t always the most meaningful path. No matter what you choose, you’ll still need to study hard and stay committed.
In addition, take extra classes in interests you'd like to explore; whatever you learn is yours to keep!
Wishing you the best of luck and happiness on your path!
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Shreeya
Nishtha Das
Product Designer
4
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Nishtha’s Answer
Hi Shreeya,
Absolutely! From my experience, Product Design has been a historically inclusive occupation that welcomes people from very different backgrounds. I've heard of people entering even after studying Mathematics, Chemistry, and Finance. Biology fits right into that category and as long as you can master the value designers bring, it honestly shouldn't matter much what you formally studied.
The main requirement is to creatively solve problems, even when faced with constraints from users, organizations, resources etc. Like others in this thread have mentioned, alongside this problem-solving ability, you need to be passionate and find the best path forward for a user, relentlessly fighting for it even when it gets hard. P.S. I was really weak at math too, thankfully you won't need much of that :).
All the best!
Absolutely! From my experience, Product Design has been a historically inclusive occupation that welcomes people from very different backgrounds. I've heard of people entering even after studying Mathematics, Chemistry, and Finance. Biology fits right into that category and as long as you can master the value designers bring, it honestly shouldn't matter much what you formally studied.
The main requirement is to creatively solve problems, even when faced with constraints from users, organizations, resources etc. Like others in this thread have mentioned, alongside this problem-solving ability, you need to be passionate and find the best path forward for a user, relentlessly fighting for it even when it gets hard. P.S. I was really weak at math too, thankfully you won't need much of that :).
All the best!
Shan Gao
Product Design
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Shan’s Answer
Yes, you definitely can. Product designers have various backgrounds like biology, psychology, engineering, and even fine arts. PCB won't stop you from getting into design. What's more important is developing design skills and creating a portfolio.
Mengqi Chen
Product Design
1
Answer
Fremont, California
Updated
Mengqi’s Answer
Hi Shreeya,
My answer is yes—and I think you'll do great.
One of the fascinating things about product design is that it truly values diversity—race, gender, industry, and of course educational background. Your love for biology will likely give you an edge over others when it comes to products that serve or relate to biology (and adjacent) industries.
The bar in product design isn't about your background. It's about whether you can sense and feel a problem, and whether you have the passion to identify and solve it—and that's something most people can steadily build.
Wishing you all the best on your career path!
Reach out and talk to a designer with similar background.
My answer is yes—and I think you'll do great.
One of the fascinating things about product design is that it truly values diversity—race, gender, industry, and of course educational background. Your love for biology will likely give you an edge over others when it comes to products that serve or relate to biology (and adjacent) industries.
The bar in product design isn't about your background. It's about whether you can sense and feel a problem, and whether you have the passion to identify and solve it—and that's something most people can steadily build.
Wishing you all the best on your career path!
Mengqi recommends the following next steps:
Neha S
UX designer
3
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Neha’s Answer
Hi Shreeya! You can absolutely do it! I started in science and engineering but switched to design because I loved it. In my design class, there were people from all kinds of backgrounds. It's wonderful that you already know what you want to do. Focus on your goal, decide where you want to study product design, and start getting ready to apply. Good luck!