Why So Many Designers Are Feeling Burnt Out Right Now

Talk to any designer today and you’ll hear a similar story:

The joy is fading. The work feels thinner. Burnout is creeping in, and folks are looking for help.

Lenny Rachitsky’s recent survey backs this up — designers and researchers are among the most burnt-out roles in tech. But why is that?

In my coaching work, I’ve seen a pattern emerge. It’s not just about long hours. It’s about disconnection — from purpose, from progress, from possibility.

Here are three forces I think are driving that:

We Care Deeply — But Are Constantly Compromising

Designers often enter the field with a strong sense of purpose. We care about craft, quality, and doing right by the people we’re designing for.

But that desire is constantly in tension with the business need to move fast and ship. We’re asked to work without enough research, without time to explore different options, and often on a path that’s already been decided.

There’s rarely time to do good work — so we compromise. We cut corners. And we tell ourselves: next time.

But next time rarely comes.

That gap — between what we believe in and what we’re allowed to do — slowly erodes our energy. It’s like trying to build a cathedral with duct tape.

From Shaping to Serving

People generally thrive on autonomy and impact. But over the years, design has shifted.

We used to shape the direction of projects. Now we’re often just delivering assets.

The decisions have been made. The roadmap is locked. And we’re left refining pixels instead of influencing outcomes.

That lack of agency is exhausting. It leaves us feeling like passengers instead of drivers. And it makes it harder to feel proud of the work we do.

Growth Has Stalled — And We Feel It

Design attracts curious minds. We like solving problems, learning new tools, and getting better at what we do.

But the field has narrowed. Many designers have found themselves at the end of a Feature Factory and reduced to Figma operators, while researchers are stuck running another web survey or usability test instead of the deep fieldwork they were trained for.

And as we get more senior, the skills we are learning — like influence, alignment, and navigating politics — feel intangible. Progress is hard to measure. Satisfaction even harder.

The result? A creeping sense of stagnation. Like we’re running in place.

It’s Not Just You

Burnout isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like numbness. Like checking out. Like wondering if the work still matters.

If this resonates, you’re not alone. These are systemic issues affecting many in our field right now.

But naming the problem is the first step to regaining control.

👋 I’d love to hear how this is showing up for you. What’s helped you stay grounded, hopeful, or in love with your craft?

And if you’re feeling stuck or drained, this is something I help clients work through all the time. Drop me a message if you’d like to chat.