UX Career Progression: Understanding UX Career Paths

A presentation on finding your way through your UX career. The presentation covers the disciplines of UX, UX roles within a company, your UX focus, specialization, leveling, the management track, titles, and more. First presented for the University of Washington Human Centered Design and Engineering school (UW HCDE) in Seattle on November 30th 2015.

Transcript

1. Understanding UX Career Paths
   November 30th, 2015
   UX Career Progression
   

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2. Who the heck is this guy?
   

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3. Photo credit: Jeff Croft
   Personal Site
   NickFinck.com
   Role
   Product Design
   Manager
   Employer
   Facebook
   

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4. UX Career Progression Series
   ● Part 1 - Starting a Career in User Experience Design (blog post)
   ● Part 2 - Finding a Niche and Building a Personal Brand (presentation)
   ● Part 3 - Creating and Presenting a UX Portfolio (presentation)
   ● Part 4 - Interviewing & Landing a UX job (coming soon)
   ● Part 5 - Understanding UX Career Paths (coming soon)
   

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5. Career Progression
   

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6. ”The User Experience Honeycomb" by Peter Morville
   Findable
   Desirable
   Useful
   Usable
   Valuable
   Accessible
   Credible
   User Experience (UX) is about how a
   person feels about using a system or
   device.
   What is the user experience?
   •It is not:
   • Designed
   • Objective
   • Procedural
   • Static
   It is:
   • Designed for
   • Subjective
   • Philosophical
   • Dynamic
   

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7. The Disciplines of UX
   

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8. Designing the
   interactive behaviors
   of a product or
   system with a
   specific focus on
   their use.
   Designing the visual
   qualities of a product
   or system in an
   aesthetically pleasing
   way.
   Planning for the
   creation, delivery, and
   governance of useful,
   usable content.
   Identifying and
   organizing
   information within a
   product or system in
   a purposeful &
   meaningful way.
   Measuring the quality
   of a user’s
   experience when
   interacting with a
   product or system.
   User Research Content
   Strategy
   Information
   Architecture
   Interaction
   Design
   Visual Design Usability &
   Analytics
   Understanding the
   people who use a
   product or system
   through
   observations.
   The Six Core Disciplines of User Experience
   

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9. Understanding Information Structure
   Behavior Aesthetics Measurement
   Distilling Down the Disciplines of UX
   

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10. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Just Like Cookies, UX Comes In Many Flavors
    

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11. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    You Can Wear All The Hats & Be A Generalist
    

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12. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    We Call These Generalists “UX Designers”
    

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13. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    We Call These Generalists “UX Designers”
    UX Designer
    

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14. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Or You Can Wear Some Hats
    

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15. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Or You Can Wear Some Hats
    

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16. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Rather Than Call You A IA/IXD/Content Strategist...
    

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17. Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research UX Designer UX Designer
    UX Designer Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    We Just Use The UX Designer Title
    

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18. Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research UX Designer
    UX Designer
    UX Designer
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    We Just Use The UX Designer Title
    

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19. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Or We Can Specialize
    

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20. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Or We Can Specialize
    

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21. Usability &
    Analytics
    Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    At A Granular Level
    

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22. Usability &
    Analytics
    Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    At A Granular Level
    

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23. Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Information
    Architecture
    At A Granular Level
    

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24. Taxonomy Findability Search
    Information
    Analysis
    Information
    Architecture
    Library
    Science
    Information
    Design
    Wayfinding Information
    Strategy
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Information
    Architecture
    At A Granular Level
    

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25. T-Shaped People
    

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26. “IDEO [...] is famous for its method of innovation based
    on intense cross-disciplinary project work. To pull this
    off, the company has long practiced the art of
    collaboration and the development of a certain kind of
    talent: T-shaped people.”
    Morten T. Hansen’s interview of IDEO CEO Tim Brown, 2010
    

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27. “However, the speed with which media agencies (and
    clients) have embraced communications planning has
    caused concern. For it to really work, communications
    planners need to be "T-shaped" people. ... "T-shaped"
    communications planners, with a background in media,
    have a deep understanding of media, and a broad
    understanding of the other disciplines within the
    marketing spectrum.”
    The hunt is on for the Renaissance Man of computing
    By David Guest in 1991
    

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28. Distilling Down the Disciplines of UX
    

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29. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    The Six Core Disciplines of User Experience
    

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30. Graph The Skill Level By Discipline
    User Research
    Visual Design
    Usability & Analytics
    Content Strategy
    Information Architecture
    Interaction Design
    

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31. Graph Your Skill Level By Discipline
    User Research
    Visual Design
    Usability & Analytics
    Content Strategy
    Information Architecture
    Interaction Design
    

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32. Graph Your Skill Level By Discipline
    User Research
    Visual Design
    Usability & Analytics
    Content Strategy
    Information Architecture
    Interaction Design
    

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33. Graph Your Skill Level By Discipline
    User Research
    Visual Design
    Usability & Analytics
    Content Strategy
    Information Architecture
    Interaction Design
    

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34. Graph Your Skill Level By Discipline
    Interaction Design
    User Research
    Visual Design
    Usability & Analytics
    Content Strategy
    Information Architecture
    

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35. The Paths
    

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36. Leveling
    

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37. Leveling Titles in UX
    Junior Mid Senior Principal Sr. Principal
    

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38. Leveling Titles at Facebook
    Product Designer
    

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39. Leveling is an aspect of the backend systems
    L5 L6 L7 L8 L9
    

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40. The Management Track
    

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41. Perception of the Manager
    IC
    Manager
    

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42. Longevity of the IC
    IC
    Manager
    

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43. How Managers and ICs are seen at Facebook
    IC
    Manager
    

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44. They have system levels too, but not leveled titles
    IC
    Manager
    L5 L6 L7 L8 L9
    

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45. The Roles
    

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46. IC Roles at Facebook
    Product Designer
    Researcher
    Content Strategist
    

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47. IC & Manager Roles at Facebook
    Product Designer
    Product Design Manager
    Researcher
    Content Strategist
    Research Manager
    Content Strategy Manager
    

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48. Picking a Path
    

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49. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Pick your direction
    

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50. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Pick your direction
    

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51. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Product Designer Path
    

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52. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    The Researcher Path
    

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53. Designing the
    interactive behaviors
    of a product or
    system with a
    specific focus on
    their use.
    Designing the visual
    qualities of a product
    or system in an
    aesthetically pleasing
    way.
    Planning for the
    creation, delivery, and
    governance of useful,
    usable content.
    Identifying and
    organizing
    information within a
    product or system in
    a purposeful &
    meaningful way.
    Measuring the quality
    of a user’s
    experience when
    interacting with a
    product or system.
    User Research Content
    Strategy
    Information
    Architecture
    Interaction
    Design
    Visual Design Usability &
    Analytics
    Understanding the
    people who use a
    product or system
    through
    observations.
    Content Strategist Path
    

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54. Making connections and
    expanding your reach
    

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55. Networking is a critical component of your career
    

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56. Photo by J. Turner Masland
    Attend events to learn, but also to meet new people!
    

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57. Read articles, but write them too!
    

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58. Always have a good mentor!
    

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59. Thank you!
    

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60. ● Personal Site: NickFinck.com
    ● Email: nickfinck@gmail.com
    ● Twitter: @nickf
    Questions?
    

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61. Starting a Career in User Experience Design
    by Nick Finck
    http://bit.ly/oEBkMn
    Starting a Career in User Experience
    by Marcus Haid
    http://bit.ly/1q1eChX
    How to Start a Career in UX Design
    by Chloe Lloyd
    http://bit.ly/1q1edMI
    Beyond UX Design: Finding your Path
    by Troy Parke
    http://bit.ly/1iVK902
    

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62. Mike Monteiro Russ Unger & Carolyn Chandler
    Nick Disabato
    Cadence & Slang Design is a job A Project Guide to UX Design
    

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