{"id":4660,"date":"2017-09-09T16:15:11","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T21:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/juneux.com\/blog\/?p=4660"},"modified":"2020-10-31T16:04:51","modified_gmt":"2020-10-31T21:04:51","slug":"what-separates-mid-level-ux-designers-from-senior-ux-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/juneux.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/what-separates-mid-level-ux-designers-from-senior-ux-designers\/","title":{"rendered":"What Separates Mid-Level UX Designers from Senior UX Designers?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are the key differences between a junior, mid-level, and senior UX designer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think most people agree that years of experience has little correlation with level of talent. Paired with the right mentor, grit, and tenacity, I can easily imagine a junior designer quickly becoming a star performer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

In examining this question, I\u2019m less interested in hard UX skills (at least for now), such as the ability to conduct a usability study, create actionable personas, or design truly mobile-first experiences \u2014 and instead am focused on soft UX skills.<\/p>\n

UX design career stages<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve been fortunate to work alongside a wide range of UX designers \u2014 from mentoring those just starting out to learning from rock stars. Below are the soft skills and points of view I have observed at each stage, but would love to get your input. Tweet me @KristineRemer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To work at any level of UX design requires critical thinking skills, the ability to see patterns or interpret data to make sound decisions, curiosity, empathy<\/a>, the ability to work well with others and follow an established process, and open-mindedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Junior UX Designer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Learning<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI make websites based on UX best practices.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Designs based on UX best practices, competitive findings<\/li>\n
  • Focused on page-level experiences or specific interactions<\/li>\n
  • Takes direction from others<\/li>\n
  • Low confidence or little experience presenting ideas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Mid-Level UX Designer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Practicing<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI make user experiences simple and easy to use.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Designs based on user research<\/li>\n
  • Focused on specific user experiences + journeys<\/li>\n
  • Gives direction to others<\/li>\n
  • Moderately confident + articulate when presenting ideas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Senior UX Designer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Leading<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI create transformative customer experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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