Product designers succeed by being specialized generalists, not narrow specialists. Spend your first two years experimenting across visual design, prototyping, user research, and code. Then focus on storytelling to sell ideas, and after three years, build influence to lead projects and earn trust.
The best product designers aren't specialists. They are generalists who are exceptional at one or two things. And here's how you can be like them. In your first 1 to 2 years as a designer, try everything from visual design to prototyping to user research and even frontend development if you can do that. This helps you build unique skill sets and helps you to understand your strengths. By year 2 to 3, focus on storytelling. Great design isn't just about visuals, it's about connecting with people, and stories are a great way to do that. The best designers use storytelling to sell their ideas. After year 3, work on your influence. Use your craft and storytelling skills to lead projects and gain trust. Influence is what make you go from a good designer to a great one that others look up to. Want to see a deeper breakdown of how you can be a specialized generalist? Then check out this video in the link below.
