Moving from individual contributor to manager as a ux or product designer
Moving from a design individual contributor (IC) role to a design manager role can be a difficult but rewarding transition. For me, I had spent 15 years moving my way towards increasing scope and responsibility as a staff-level designer. After a few years at staff level I started to feel like I wanted more influence over product direction, measurement, and business impact from a UX point of view. Even with this new direction burgeoning in my mind, it was still challenging to let go of being an individual contributor. I had to figure out how to move from being on the hook for productivity and into being a leader which is more about effectiveness and impact. To help navigate this change, I have taken on coaches as well as a therapist to continually check in on my self awareness and emotional intelligence. A coach can help develop your leadership skills and provide guidance on how to manage and delegate tasks, while the therapist can help you work through any anxieties or fears you may have about the transition.
It's important to note that the transition from being a design IC to a design manager is not an overnight process. You will likely find yourself doing both jobs for a while as you train your team and adjust to your new role. This can be challenging, but it's important to stay focused on your leadership goals and work on building an environment where designers can do great work. This part of the job is all about delegation and trust. Of course you could do something in half the time, but now it’s about helping your reports to reach that level of productivity.
To be an effective design manager, it's also important to create an environment where designers can thrive and feel trusted. This means providing guidance and feedback, setting clear goals and expectations, and supporting your team's professional development. Additionally, it's important to understand the business goals and how design fits into the larger picture. This understanding will help you communicate the value of design to stakeholders and align design efforts with the overall business strategy.
Making the transition from being a UX designer to a UX design manager can be a challenging but rewarding experience. As a UX design manager, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of UX designers, as well as overseeing the design process for a product or service. Here are some takeaways for making the transition from being a UX designer to a UX design manager:
Develop your leadership skills: As a UX design manager, you will need to be able to effectively lead and manage a team of designers. This includes being able to motivate and inspire your team, as well as being able to delegate tasks and provide feedback and guidance. Taking on a coach or mentor is a great way to feel supported through this journey.
Understand the business goals: This is the part about effectiveness and impact. A UX design manager should have a strong understanding of the business goals and how design fits into the larger picture. This includes being able to communicate the value of design to stakeholders and align design efforts with the overall business strategy.
Learn how to manage projects: As a UX design manager, you will be responsible for managing the design process for a product or service. This includes defining project scope, setting timelines, and managing budgets. See how you’re a level above where you used to be as an IC? Your pov becomes so much more broad, enabling you to see across teams and efforts. The ability to connect the dots across efforts is one of the more extraordinary aspects of becoming a manager.
Stay up-to-date on industry trends: A UX design manager should stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices in order to provide guidance and direction to their team. This may involve continuing education or professional development opportunities. It can’t hurt to still keep a hand in the game where you understand where the industry is moving.
Making the transition from being a UX designer to a UX design manager requires a combination of leadership skills, business acumen, and technical expertise. By developing these skills and gaining experience, you can successfully transition into a UX design manager role and lead your team to success.
