Welcome to our guide on Design roles and titles in tech, mainly focused on User Experience roles and titles. We know that diving into the world of Design in tech can be complicated and confusing, so we created this guide to support your come up.
First, let's talk about generalist roles. Picture a Swiss Army Knife, a versatile tool ready for any situation – that's your UX Generalist. UX Generalists have a broad skill set that spans multiple areas of UX, from research to design and even a bit of coding.
Second, we have specialist roles. Think of them like a master chef who's an expert in a specific area of food. UX Specialists focus their talents on one particular aspect of UX, becoming the go-to experts in their field.
In this guide, we're going to home in on the roles that most individual contributors take on. What's an individual contributor? Well, these are the folks who roll up their sleeves and dive into the hands-on, day-to-day work of UX - the designing, the researching, the analyzing - but don't typically have managerial responsibilities.
As for those aspiring to climb the UX leadership ladder and don the manager's hat, we'll save that for another guide. For now, let's untangle the web of UX roles one thread at a time, focusing on those crucial, craft-focused individual contributor positions. Let's dive in!
A UX Designer focuses on creating intuitive and user-friendly products by understanding user needs and behavior. They design the overall experience of a product, ensuring its usability, accessibility, and satisfaction for users.
What Does A UX Designer Actually Do?
A Product Designer is responsible for designing the look, feel, and functionality of a product, taking into account user needs, business goals, and technical constraints. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, from ideation to implementation, to create cohesive and user-centered products.
What Is The Difference Between A UX Designer And A Product Designer?
[Difference between a UX Designer and a Product Designer by Springboard](https://www.springboard.com/blog/product-designer-vs-ux-designer/#:~:text=The key difference is that,goals of the business itself.)
Difference between a UX Designer and a Product Designer by CareerFoundry