UX Design

Start your career as a UX Generalist.

The need to specialize in the start is enticing, but niching down at the beginning itself might not be the best thing to do.

Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash

Ever since I decided to make my career in the design industry, the urge to dip my fingers in multiple pies enticed me. I knew I didn’t want to specialize right away. I wanted to try as many things as I could before I decided to move to a particular specialization.

I speak from personal experience

I started as a Graphic designer — I did logos, branding, illustrations, menu designs, invitations, icons, surface patterns… I did anything and everything that help improve my skills. I then made the conscious decision to switch to UX design and again, did the same things. Which I continue to do to date. My first project was designing web pages for a robotics company. I didn’t do a stellar job (well, duh, that’s when I was learning how to do so), but I was proud of being able to deliver something. But from then onwards it was no looking back.

I designed web pages. I went to client meetings as a silent listener to understand how they worked. I would pose 1000 questions to my lead on everything to do with UX. Read a loooooot. Made a lot of screens. Did a lot of sketches. Learned how to talk on calls with clients and stakeholders. Did a little bit of hiring. Got an idea of how to lead and work within a team. Work within an agile framework. Picked up Salesforce and a certification. Started writing more. Mentoring. Restarted my love of writing.

And I feel all of those helped me and continue to help me grow as a designer. It is because I chose to start as a Generalist rather than specializing at the beginning of my career. I am still one because there is so much value in being knowledgeable about everything in your domain. Heck, I have even started learning digital marketing and social media marketing. I am even reading up on AI. It’s gone to that extent.

And I love being a Generalist. It’s a rewarding and exhilarating experience being one. Maybe sometime in the future I will specialize, but for now, I am enjoying the ride.

Which comes to the question, who are Generalists?

You must have gotten your answer from my above TED talk but let's get a little more into the detail of who they are.

UX generalists are professionals who have a broad knowledge of different aspects of UX design. They possess skills in user research, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, and usability testing. Unlike UX specialists who focus on a specific area of expertise, a UX generalist can handle various design tasks throughout the product development process. UX generalists can work as part of a design team or as solo designers in smaller organizations. (Imagine the power of being a solo designer, you will be the one driving the design direction for the organization. yes, it can be overwhelming in the beginning, but if you are enthusiastic about it, there is nothing like it. The learning opportunities are immense).

I get it, but why should you be a Generalist at the beginning?

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

While UX design is surely a specialized field with different areas of expertise, starting a career as a UX generalist can be advantageous in many ways. You’ll be able to pick up the nitty-gritty of everything under the UX umbrella before choosing to specialize in a particular area. And let me tell you, it is super fun being one of them. Let me tell you why —

1. You’ll be Versatile — One of the main advantages of being a UX generalist is the ability to handle different design tasks. A UX generalist can participate in the entire design process, from conducting user research to designing the visual interface. They can work on different design projects, including web applications, mobile apps, and desktop software. This versatility allows a UX generalist to work in different industries and with different types of clients. Just imagine being part of the entire design process — the learning opportunities that is involved. How exciting is that?
2. You will grow a broader Skillset — A UX generalist has a more comprehensive skill set than a specialist in a specific area. They possess knowledge in different fields of UX design, which makes them well-rounded designers. A UX generalist can work on various design tasks and collaborate with different teams, including developers, project managers, and stakeholders. This diverse skill set also allows a UX generalist to learn and grow in different areas of UX design.
3. You’ll be in Demand — The demand for UX generalists is increasing due to the growing importance of UX design in product development. Many companies are looking for designers who can handle different design tasks, and a UX generalist fits the bill. Being a UX generalist opens up more job opportunities and allows a designer to work in different industries and organizations. This high demand also leads to higher salaries and job security.
4. You can be Flexible — As a UX generalist, you have the flexibility to work on different types of projects and collaborate with different teams. You can work in-house or remotely, depending on the company’s needs. This flexibility allows you to choose the type of work environment that suits your lifestyle and preferences. You can also pursue other interests outside of work since you have a broad skill set that can be applied in different areas of design.

To conclude …

If you are thinking of starting or transitioning to a career in design, beginning it as a UX generalist can be a smart move. The benefits and learning that come with being one are immense. You’ll be able to fit yourself anywhere — be it a startup, agency or a big organization — and grow into a well-rounded designer.

As a UX generalist, you can work on different design tasks, collaborate with different teams, and pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned designer, becoming a UX generalist can open up new opportunities and lead to a successful career in UX design. Yes, once you are in the field for a couple of years and then decide you do want to specialize, you are more than welcome to do so. You can become a specialist or a T-shaped designer.

The design and tech space is growing at a rapid pace at the moment and the need of the hour is a little bit of a generalist and a little bit of a specialist. If you are getting started with a career in design, be open to learning and making as many mistakes as you can. That, I can assure you, will reap you rich rewards in the future.

In case you would like to talk more about being a Generalist and a career in design, let’s connect on Linkedin or have a chat on ADPList.