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Ask DN: What's my job title?

almost 8 years ago from , Design Director at Chronic Ink

Hey guys, I recently rebranded myself and I'm in the midst of an identity crisis. What exactly is my job title?

I've been calling myself a UI / UX Designer for the past year, but it doesn't reflect everything I do.

Part of me wants to call myself a Designer with a focus on Mobile and Web (I design websites and apps).

I work on all aspects of a project from start to finish. From User Research/UX to Wireframes/Prototypes and UI/Web Design to HTML/CSS—I do a little bit of everything. I'm a bit of a hybrid.

I've been seeing the term Product Designer thrown around, but that's primarily associated with apps.

Any ideas?

Thanks! P

8 comments

  • Jonathan RichardJonathan Richard, almost 8 years ago

    Life was less complicated when we were all Webmasters. ;)

    4 points
  • Josh TregenzaJosh Tregenza, almost 8 years ago

    I started a new job where I am the first Designer to come on board, in any capacity and though I am devoutly set on titling myself as purely a Designer (I code, sketchup, write, research, optimise and realign. A hybrid like yourself, Paul) one of the directors considers me the Digital Marketer and E Commerce Administrator.

    Whilst I consider that an oversimplification of the role that I've been doing, to a person outside of our craft looking in, the titles we throw around can become confusing and meanings lost.

    No matter what you call yourself, someone will call you something else.

    Your title, the one you personally call yourself, should fill you with pride. You should feel willing to explain what it means, when someone responds to you inquisitively.

    1 point
    • Paul LPaul L, almost 8 years ago

      Really good points Josh. Our titles can be quite confusing to non-designers.

      Try explaining what a UI, UX, Interaction, or Product Designer is to one of your friends or family members.

      I think this Medium Article written by Diogenes Brito sums it up quite nicely.

      The next time someone asks about your job, try just saying “I’m a designer” and following that up with a short and sweet description of what you do and what you care most about.

      That's something I can believe in.

      1 point
  • Nick HileyNick Hiley, almost 8 years ago

    Anything but Unicorn.

    0 points
  • Taurean BryantTaurean Bryant, almost 8 years ago

    If I know what someone is looking for and I want to work with them I'm that kind of designer. Otherwise I'm just a designer.

    0 points
  • Evan DeiningerEvan Deininger, almost 8 years ago

    I'm in a similar boat, but honestly I just say UX/UI because that's what so many jobs say they want. I would adjust for the job that you actually want, if you wanted to do front end development then call yourself a front end developer (as long as you meet the requirements haha). Just try to sell what you've got, and be thinking about the job you want to have while you do it.

    0 points
    • Paul LPaul L, almost 8 years ago

      Thanks Evan. I've been doing the same thing. All of my skills fall under the UI/UX umbrella right now (according to job descriptions).

      I wouldn't call myself a Front End Developer though. I prefer doing the Visual/Problem Solving side of things.

      I have enough knowledge of HTML/CSS/Media Queries to make static prototypes with cool hover effects, but that's about it.

      Does that make me a UI Designer? IDK

      0 points