What should UX career growth look like? ??

Welcome back. Framer just dropped a game-changer for creators: The new Marketplace Dashboard hands creators the keys to their own digital storefronts. As someone who's been in the trenches of design entrepreneurship, I can't overstate how huge this is. It's not just about organization—it's about empowerment. Whether you're a seasoned template maker or just starting out, this is your moment to turn side hustles into serious businesses.

—Tommy (@DesignerTom)

The Wireframe:

• How to build your career “net”
• Figma’s approach to career growth
• The evolution of the T-shaped designer

How to Build a Career Net

Let's talk about growing your UX career. But forget about climbing ladders—we're weaving nets.

Why? Because, as Jason Mesut (Design Partner at Group of Humans) put so well, "The problem with ladders is that you either go up, down or fall off. Pursue a net, not a ladder. Move up. Move down. Move sideways."

So, how do we actually do this? Today, I’m breaking down five key strategies that'll help you weave a robust, flexible career net →

1. Map Your Current Position

Before you can grow, you need to know where you stand—from a 360° view. Try this:

• Use Mesut's Skittle Mapping or UX Spectrum tool (archived here) to rate yourself across eight key UX categories. Be brutally honest.
• Ask your manager or colleagues to rate you using the same tool—chat candidly about your strengths and growth areas.

Pro tip: Don't just focus on hard skills. Soft skills like communication and leadership? Those separate good designers from great ones.

2. Identify your "net strands"

Your net isn't just made of UX skills. It's a combo of your experiences, interests, and potential growth areas. Let's map 'em out:

• Try Mesut’s career mapping exercise: Plot key moments and projects with an "emotional" line showing your ups and downs. Identify recurring themes that energize you—and types of work that consistently drain you.
• List 3-5 areas of UX or adjacent fields you're curious about. Think: AI ethics, design systems, or UX writing. Jot down why each intrigues you, how it connects to your current work, and one small project you could do to explore it further (ex. interested in AI ethics? Create a set of ethical guidelines for AI implementation in your current product.)
• Identify 2-3 key skills just beyond your current capabilities—what you’d need to build to expand your net in strategic directions.

3. Weave your net

Now comes the fun part: actively building your career net. For one of the key skills you identified, create a plan to level up. It's all about that "try, fail, learn, succeed" cycle. Some examples:

• Want to get better at micro interactions? Dive into Webflow and recreate your favorite app's landing page… then spice it up with some Lottie animations.
• Looking to improve your UX writing? Start here. Rewrite microcopy for a different app each day for a month, then share your work on LinkedIn for feedback.
• Or, learn through a course. I recommend Frank Bach’s Developing Confidence to Influence and Lead cohort or The ROI of Design by Airbnb’s Ryan Scott.

4. Document your Journey

Keep track of how your net evolves. This isn't just for you—it's ammunition for performance reviews and job searches:

• Create a “brag sheet.” Every Friday, jot down the week's accomplishments using this template to get you started. Focus on impact, not just tasks completed,
• Update your Skittle Mapping or UX Spectrum assessment quarterly. Watch how your shape evolves.
• Try this timeline mapping exercise to keep track of your time to ensure you’re heading in the right direction.

5. Cultivate your "net"-work (sorry, had to)

A strong career net isn't just about your skills—it's about the connections you build. Your network can provide support, opportunities, and different perspectives:

• Schedule monthly coffee chats with colleagues from different teams.
• Join a UX community (like IxDA or Design Buddies) and attend events regularly.
• Ask for feedback. Not just from your boss—get the junior designer's take too.

Remember, building a career net is an ongoing process. It's not about reaching a final destination, but constantly expanding your reach and adaptability.

Quick reality check: I get it, some companies do have pretty rigid career ladders—but you can still get crafty and weave your web while playing the ladder game. Here’s how:

1. Study the expectations: As Aaron James suggests, closely examine the requirements for the level just above you. What skills or responsibilities are emphasized?
2. Align your growth: Choose projects or learning opportunities that directly address those expectations.
3. Document your impact: Keep that brag doc updated with examples of how you're meeting those next-level expectations. It'll come in handy for promotion time.

Want a deeper dive into climbing that traditional corporate ladder? Check out our previous newsletter on how to become a senior designer.

Together with Framer

From design to live site — no coding required

Sick of waiting for developers once your website design is ready? Then cut out coding.

The next best no-code website builder for designers, Framer:

• Feels and works like design tools you know (Figma)
• Lets you publish your design as a real website in seconds
• Can add breakpoints, animations, and even a CMS
• Imports designs from Figma using the Figma-to-Framer plugin

Ready to get your design live faster? Check out Framer now.

News, Tools, and Resources: Career growth

• UserTesting’s annual conference, The Human Insight Summit, will bring together 500+ builders and creators from some of the largest and most innovative brands for 3 days—focused on transforming how products and experiences are built. Get 50% off your ticket here with code UXTOOLS and join us in Austin, TX this October.*
• The Figma team shares their approach to design career growth, emphasizing impact over titles.
• Designer Fund's comprehensive guide to UX career ladders is a must-read for understanding how different companies approach career progression.
• Use this Product Design Rubric to self-assess and level set your expectations.
• Try this competency matrix to accurately assess skills, identify gaps, and develop training plans.
• The progression.fyi collection of public design career ladders is a goldmine for comparison.
• Learn how to create your own JDs, competency matrix, and career path using Digital Ag Solutions’ model.

*: This is sponsored advertising content.

The Evolution of the T-Shaped Designer

The "T-shaped" designer concept is old news.

In today's rapidly evolving UX landscape, we need a new model. Let's talk about the "Broken Comb Designer"—a concept presented by design expert Jared Spool.

Here's what the broken comb model means for your career:

1. Multiple depths: Instead of just one area of deep expertise, you develop skills in several areas—multiple comb "teeth" of varying lengths across disciplines.
2. Flexible specialties: The "teeth" of your comb can grow or shrink over time. Maybe you start with a long "tooth" in UI design, then grow another in UX research as your career progresses.
3. Interdisciplinary reach: Some "teeth" might extend into fields adjacent to UX, like product management or data analysis. Broader reach = bridged gaps between disciplines.
4. Adaptive learning: As new technologies and methodologies emerge, you can grow new "teeth." Your comb evolves with the industry, keeping you relevant and versatile.

The broken comb model embraces the messy reality of skill development. It's not about having an evenly distributed skill set: It’s about cultivating a unique combination of strengths that make you valuable in various contexts.

In UX, change is the only constant. Being a broken comb designer gives you the flexibility to pivot, grow, and thrive.

UX Tools Job Board

• Graduating in May? Check out Adobe's Associate Experience Designer role for 2025 grads.
• PayPal is looking for a UX Designer to build the next generation of financial service products.
• Obsessed with game design? Epic Games is looking for a UX Designer to join its Fortnite Battle Royale Engagement team.

Where have you hit a roadblock in career growth? Tell me about it.

Enjoying this newsletter? Let us know here.