Campfire #51: Key differences between junior & senior product designers

I've not mentioned it explicitly yet. Still, when I speak of "Junior" vs. "Senior" levels, I refer to lower levels vs. higher levels as two independent buckets. These two buckets make drawing generalizations and using metaphors easier, which is what we'll do next.

You'll notice the following key distinctions when comparing Junior and Senior levels. These distinctions result from a designer's expertise in the six design dimensions. They are the result of becoming a better product designer. We'll start with Project Scope.

Project Scope

Junior designers are frequently assigned to smaller-scope projects. Because they have fewer variables to consider and are more self-contained, these projects are more bite-sized and doable for new designers.

On the other hand, senior designers frequently oversee complex projects with several factors to consider and stakeholders to maintain on track. Senior designers with experience will know how to manage the variables of a large project while being organized (and relatively sane 😂).

As junior designers advance in their careers, their projects' scale grows larger and larger until it reaches massive proportions. This shift in scope is an ideal opportunity to meet with your manager and request a promotion.

Suppose you demonstrate that the scope of your project has grown while you have remained a good contributor. In that case, you are a strong candidate for advancement to the next level.