The Unicorns are Revolting!
…and the Ninjas stink on ice
In the interest of full disclosure, I am (by definition) a Unicorn. If you are in the tech industry, you have heard these titles.
For anyone who hasn’t, here are some rough definitions. A designer that has learned how to write code is often referred to a Unicorn, while a developer who has gone to art college is the elusive Ninja.
These definitions vary among tech tribes, but the general idea is the same: One person with a set of cross discipline skills that makes them very desirable in the marketplace.
Some have expanded on the idea even more, asserting that the cross discipline skill-set is a necessary component to be a User Experience Designer in today’s world.
I attended a presentation at SXSW 2013 where Jared Spool and Dr. Leslie Jensen-Inman announced their new project, Unicorn Institute with the promise:
There is an increasing need for UX professionals; however, universities and colleges are not producing the types of graduates that industry can easily hire. The paradox is that there’s a gap in what’s currently taught in higher education and the practical needs of industry.
We can create the next generation of UX professionals, also known as Unicorns, by connecting industry, education, and community. The journey to “somewhere over the rainbow” starts here and starts now—the future of our discipline depends on it.
Their definition of the Unicorn is much more robust and specific to UX professionals and the often wild and divergent backgrounds we spawn from.
I was so inspired by the presentation that I registered my desire to be a Unicorn Wrangler and help foster in the next generation of UX designers.
I sense a loss of enthusiasm… what happened?
The good news is that I was NOT gripped by some overwhelming wave of cynicism that sourced this article. I am still very committed to fostering the next generation of UX designers.
I also think that Jared and Leslie are doing good work. I still support their efforts and don’t mean this as any criticism of them or the institute.
What’s in a Name?
It is the use of the terms Unicorn and Ninja in the industry at large that has begun to concern me.
I know as much as anyone the need for a strong and diverse skillset in a UX professional. It is often surprising what seemingly odd skills can become invaluable when solving a UX problem.
I guess the rub is the cynical part of me that wonders if someone responsible for the bottom line will see a resource with a lot of skills outlined as a reason to NOT hire other people.
There is a risk that too much emphasis on the “Human swiss army knife” could eliminate the more important aspect of a complete team of people with complimentary skillsets.
I guess too much focus on the multi-disciplinarian does make me concerned that people who can do many things might be expected to do everything, rather than hiring the appropriate team.
