Did you made it up? The whole "Product Thinking Designer"? It seems it's just junior/mid Product Designer vs Senior/Principal Product Designer and working in feature factory vs actual product team.
Great point. This reminds me of the CanUX conference where a lot of design leaders were promoting service design & strategy design, which would be the goal of any designer, but also seems to be a higher level of design than a typical UX design role would require. Especially at more junior level.
In general, yes, this is a key difference between junior and senior levels. There’s a lot of people from less technical backgrounds (graphic/brand designers and people straight out of bootcamp) moving into UX and Product Design these days and letting them join technical teams without a lot of product knowledge have led to a lot of people with Product Design titles who are not used to do purposive planning (which is what design really is if you boil it down) The higher level of seniority you have, the more responsibility and impact also comes with it. This also means a higher risk to a company if you can’t perform your duties, so by being capable of thinking (AND acting upon) subjects outside of just making things look pretty and ‘pushing pixels’ is how you show that you have those skills and position yourself to move on up. It’s actually a good way to prepare people on what’s to come on higher levels. The more you rise in seniority, the less actual hands on work you’ll usually do. The more senior you are, the more you start to get people, process or specialized responsibilities. I’m assuming some bigger orgs. could have specialized ‘Product Thinking Designers’ just as they have Architects, Design System Designers and other highly specific roles to the org. but if you can’t think about these things from the beginning, you really aren’t doing anything but pushing pixels (and there’s nothing wrong with that btw, everyone’s gotta start from somewhere ☺️)
So on point and love the terms product 'thinking' designer to deliver product outcome but also establish strategic partnership with our product counterpart.
Quality of the video is great! The biggest issue I see is that the video discusses an ideal that almost hardly exists in organizations anymore where designers get the support to drive strategy. So much has shifted in the industry, especially since the pandemic. Oh the good ole days.
You're right in that it can be really challenging to get the supported needed to do some of this - though I do feel like companies are valuing this skill more than ever in today's market. Designers who can ALSO drive strategy are harder to come by and thus more valued in my experience!
Your insights are extremely interesting Femke! As an industrial designer, do you believe that what you're discussing in the course can be applied to physical product design?
It would be great to see a recorded course that will cost less than a live one. Bacause I don't speak english that well to participate on live course, unfortunately. And can't afford such an expencive price of it :(
Thanks for sharing your POV on this topic. Design is always a mean to solve problems. I would like to learn more about product thinking design. What course/ college do you recommend to learn more and open up more job opportunities,?
Thanks for your a answer ! The only thing I could find in the landing page is the price of the course. Looks really interesting but I would love to know that.
Very proud of you Femke!! A follower from the Uber days, it's amazing to see your progress in every aspect. Cheers from Buenos Aires my friend!!
Thank you so much!
You inspire me so much Femke ! Your TH-cam channel is pure gold for designers
Thank you!
Mapping out what healthy, productive and impact productdesign partnership looks like is golden, thank you!
Yay so glad it's helpful!
The queen is back!!
Welcome back! So great to see you on here again ❤️🙌🏼
Did you made it up? The whole "Product Thinking Designer"? It seems it's just junior/mid Product Designer vs Senior/Principal Product Designer and working in feature factory vs actual product team.
Interesting cause that has not been my experience!
Great point. This reminds me of the CanUX conference where a lot of design leaders were promoting service design & strategy design, which would be the goal of any designer, but also seems to be a higher level of design than a typical UX design role would require. Especially at more junior level.
In general, yes, this is a key difference between junior and senior levels.
There’s a lot of people from less technical backgrounds (graphic/brand designers and people straight out of bootcamp) moving into UX and Product Design these days and letting them join technical teams without a lot of product knowledge have led to a lot of people with Product Design titles who are not used to do purposive planning (which is what design really is if you boil it down)
The higher level of seniority you have, the more responsibility and impact also comes with it. This also means a higher risk to a company if you can’t perform your duties, so by being capable of thinking (AND acting upon) subjects outside of just making things look pretty and ‘pushing pixels’ is how you show that you have those skills and position yourself to move on up.
It’s actually a good way to prepare people on what’s to come on higher levels.
The more you rise in seniority, the less actual hands on work you’ll usually do. The more senior you are, the more you start to get people, process or specialized responsibilities.
I’m assuming some bigger orgs. could have specialized ‘Product Thinking Designers’ just as they have Architects, Design System Designers and other highly specific roles to the org. but if you can’t think about these things from the beginning, you really aren’t doing anything but pushing pixels (and there’s nothing wrong with that btw, everyone’s gotta start from somewhere ☺️)
So on point and love the terms product 'thinking' designer to deliver product outcome but also establish strategic partnership with our product counterpart.
Thanks! Glad it resonates with you :)
Yeaahh welcome back Femke!
So glad to be back!
Go great to see you back Femke! 🎉
Quality of the video is great! The biggest issue I see is that the video discusses an ideal that almost hardly exists in organizations anymore where designers get the support to drive strategy. So much has shifted in the industry, especially since the pandemic. Oh the good ole days.
You're right in that it can be really challenging to get the supported needed to do some of this - though I do feel like companies are valuing this skill more than ever in today's market. Designers who can ALSO drive strategy are harder to come by and thus more valued in my experience!
Welcome back!!!
Great video as always Femke!
Thank you!
So informative - I loved this video!
Thank you!
This is a great ideal, but this giving more expectation vs reality. Still great promo video!
hello! what inc and color your macbook is?! and for ui/ux designer what inc do you prefer?
Not sure what you mean by inc? I have a black and silver macbook.
Yay! I love you videos!
This is exactly what I need
Yay so glad to hear it!
Welcome back!
Your insights are extremely interesting Femke!
As an industrial designer, do you believe that what you're discussing in the course can be applied to physical product design?
I can't say as I'm not familiar with that industry!
It would be great to see a recorded course that will cost less than a live one. Bacause I don't speak english that well to participate on live course, unfortunately. And can't afford such an expencive price of it :(
Hey! The course is 80% pre recorded video lessons you can watch in your own time :) we only meet live twice a week for an hour each.
Thanks for sharing your POV on this topic. Design is always a mean to solve problems. I would like to learn more about product thinking design. What course/ college do you recommend to learn more and open up more job opportunities,?
I recommend my course! maven.com/femke/product-strategy-for-designers
Thanks for your a answer ! The only thing I could find in the landing page is the price of the course. Looks really interesting but I would love to know that.
🎵TWIN! Where have you been?? 🎵🙈
🤘 "promosm"