Why using ‘UX/UI’ in your job title is destroying your professional brand

The author, a design leader with extensive experience, argues that ambiguous job titles like "UX/UI Designer" are a significant problem for the design profession. These titles lead to role ambiguity, making it hard to assess designers' skills and contributions. This lack of clarity hinders authority, influence, and organizational credibility for design leaders. The author emphasizes that "design" is about problem-solving with a human-centered approach, while "user experience" is the outcome, not a job function. Combining the two in a single title obscures accountability and undervalues the depth of the discipline. The author highlights that successful companies structure their design roles by specialty and outcome, not using broad titles. This costs designers professionally, as their strategic expertise becomes indistinguishable from junior peers. To fix this, designers and leaders should use intentional titles that reflect the actual value delivered. The author suggests using specific titles like "UX Researcher" or "Product Designer" to communicate impact. Design leaders should define roles by business problem, outcomes, and scope. Ultimately, the way design roles are titled shapes how an organization understands, invests in, and trusts the practice of design.