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.
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INTRODUCTION / SHAPES OF WORK
INTRODUCTION / SHAPES OF WORK
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.
Each segment is shaped by:
Company size
Company size
Team structure
Team structure
Client vs. product focus
Client vs. product focus
Leadership responsibility
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]
Corporate Designers
Large orgs, layered teams, legacy systems
[1000+ employees] [complex orgs] [strong process]
Corporate Designers
Large orgs, layered teams, legacy systems
[1000+ employees] [complex orgs] [strong process]
Growth Company Designers
Mid-sized orgs scaling fast
[101–1000 employees] [evolving systems]
Growth Company Designers
Mid-sized orgs scaling fast
[101–1000 employees] [evolving systems]
Growth Company Designers
Mid-sized orgs scaling fast
[101–1000 employees] [evolving systems]
Startup Designers
Small, scrappy teams wearing many hats
[2–100 employees] [fast iteration]
Startup Designers
Small, scrappy teams wearing many hats
[2–100 employees] [fast iteration]
Startup Designers
Small, scrappy teams wearing many hats
[2–100 employees] [fast iteration]
Agency designers
Client work across industries
[Design/consulting firms] [project-based]
Agency designers
Client work across industries
[Design/consulting firms] [project-based]
Agency designers
Client work across industries
[Design/consulting firms] [project-based]
Independent/Solo Designers
Freelancers, contractors, or lone wolves
[1-person teams] [high autonomy]
Independent/Solo Designers
Freelancers, contractors, or lone wolves
[1-person teams] [high autonomy]
Independent/Solo Designers
Freelancers, contractors, or lone wolves
[1-person teams] [high autonomy]
Design Educators/Researchers
Teaching or researching design in formal settings
[Academic institutions] [research roles] [employees]
Design Educators/Researchers
Teaching or researching design in formal settings
[Academic institutions] [research roles] [employees]
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]
Design Students
Still learning, building portfolios
[Currently enrolled] [just graduated]
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.
Two distinct roles within work shapes: Individual Contributor (IC) vs. Design Lead, revealing critical differences in tool adoption.
Two distinct roles within work shapes: Individual Contributor (IC) vs. Design Lead, revealing critical differences in tool adoption.