Traditional job titles no longer capture the diverse contexts that impact tool choice and workflow. Our "Shapes of Work" framework segments designers by organizational context, team structure, and leadership responsibilities.
INTRODUCTION / SHAPES OF WORK
Each segment is shaped by:
Company size
Team structure
Client vs. product focus
Leadership responsibility
Each shape is further split into:
IC (Individual Contributor)
hands-on design work
Lead
leadership or team direction
While we’ve already identified areas for improvement in this framework, this provides a useful lens for identifying variations in tool usages across similar styles of work.
Corporate Designers
Large orgs, layered teams, legacy systems
[1000+ employees] [complex orgs] [strong process]
Startup Designers
Small, scrappy teams wearing many hats
[2–100 employees] [fast iteration]
Design Educators/Researchers
Teaching or researching design in formal settings
[Academic institutions] [research roles] [employees]
Design Students
Still learning, building portfolios
[Currently enrolled] [just graduated]
Two distinct roles within work shapes: Individual Contributor (IC) vs. Design Lead, revealing critical differences in tool adoption.