As tech changes, so do the titles. Embrace it, but don’t lose sight of the actual craft.
When Designers Were Just Designers
Back in 2011, I was just a fresh-faced freelancer tinkering with Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and a computer that could barely handle the Adobe suite. My title? Graphic Designer. Straightforward, no fluff. People knew what I did: logos, business cards, banners, and maybe the occasional flyer.
Fast forward a decade, and I’ve worn so many hats that I’m practically a one-person haberdashery. UI Designer. UX Specialist. Product Guru. (Yes, that’s a real thing.)
This article is a journey through the evolution of design titles, told from the perspective of someone who’s lived through all the phases. If you’re a fellow designer, you’ll probably laugh, nod, and maybe cringe along the way.
The Graphic Designer Era: Simpler Times
Ah, 2011. The golden age of “Graphic Designer.” My first gig was on 99designs.com, designing business cards. I was the go-to person for logos, banners, Google Ads creatives, and everything else clients could slap onto a website. People called me a Graphic Designer, and that was it.
Back then, my toolkit consisted of Photoshop, Illustrator, and a little bit of Dreamweaver. My computer chugged along on 4 GB of RAM like a trooper. There was no confusion about roles, responsibilities, or scope. If it looked good, people loved it. End of story.
The Rise of UI/UX Designer: Adding Letters to Charge More?
Around 2013, I started noticing whispers of UI and UX design on forums, PeoplePerHour, 99Designs etc. Clients would post requests like, “UI Designer needed for banner redesign” or “UX tweaks required for website improvements.” At first, I thought, What the hell is a UX Designer?
Then I realized: it’s just a fancy way to rebrand what I was already doing.
So, I embraced it. Slapped “UI/UX Designer” onto my portfolio and yes, it did help me increase my rates — but it also came with a shift in focus. Clients weren’t just looking for good-looking designs; they wanted a designer who would think about the end-user’s experience.
How would the user feel? What would their journey look like? Ironically, this wasn’t new for us graphic designers; considering the user had always been part of the process. We just hadn’t been vocal about it or branded it as a sellable skill.
The “User Experience” was always there, even if we didn’t slap a fancy title on it.
Product Designer and Manager: More Than Pretty Interfaces
In 2021, I “leveled up” to a Product Designer role for a UK startup. Unlike the UI/UX label, this title came with tangible changes. I wasn’t just making things look good; I was making strategic decisions. Market research, launch planning, and user behavior analysis became part of my daily grind.
The CEO made it clear: my job was to deliver value, not just pretty screens. It was a turning point. I realized that being a Product Designer wasn’t about aesthetics — it was about solving meaningful problems for users while balancing business goals. This was miles away from my 2011 “here’s your logo” days.
Fast forward to today, and my role has evolved into a blend of Product Design and Product Management. I’m not just crafting user interfaces; I’m helping define the problems worth solving, strategizing on how to deliver maximum value, and ensuring that our solutions align with both user needs and business objectives. It’s a dynamic, challenging role — one that pushes me to think bigger and act bolder with every project.
Titles Are Fun, But the Work Speaks for Itself
As much as I love a shiny new title, the reality is that my core mission hasn’t changed: solve problems with design. Whether I was a Graphic Designer whipping up flyers or a Product Designer shaping an app’s entire user flow, the goal was always the same. The titles? They’re just a reflection of how the industry evolves (and how LinkedIn recruiters stay busy).
A Few Hilarious Titles Along the Way
Let’s be real: some of these design titles have gotten out of hand. I once saw someone on LinkedIn with the title: “UI/UX Problem Solver & Designer of Industrial Needs & Product Innovative Designer.” Like, what?
If I had my way, we’d simplify everything. For the digital web world, I’d just call us all “People Who Fix Screens, Websites and Apps” Accurate, no?
What I’ve Learned From a Decade of wearing different Title Hats
- Titles Can Be a Power Move: Adding “UX” to my title in 2013 boosted my rates and helped me land bigger clients. Never underestimate the power of buzzwords.
- Growth Is in the Responsibility, Not the Title: Becoming a Product Designer and later expanding into Product Management was a game-changer, not because of the title but because of the strategic work that pushed me to grow.
- The Industry Loves to Evolve: As tech changes, so do the titles. Embrace it, but don’t lose sight of the actual craft.
- Laugh at the Absurdity: While some titles are over-the-top, the focus should always be on the value you’re delivering, not the name on your LinkedIn profile.
Call Me Whatever, I Just Design Stuff
Whether I’m called a Graphic Designer, UI/UX Specialist, or Product Guru, my job has always been to solve problems through design. Titles are great for LinkedIn and rate increases, but at the end of the day, the work speaks louder than any label.
So here’s to all the designers out there, past and present, who’ve watched their titles evolve from “Photoshop Enthusiast” to “Digital Alchemist” (yes, I’ve seen that one too). Let’s just keep doing what we do best: designing cool stuff and fixing screens.
