Is UI/UX Design Slowly Dying?
UI/UX design roles are harder than ever to land. Designers need to adapt quickly, or they’ll get left behind.
As companies shift priorities, the traditional UI/UX designer role is fading, and Product Design is stepping into the spotlight.
Is it just a rebrand? A new name slapped on the same job? Maybe.
But the role has evolved, and so should you. A Product Designer isn’t just a UI/UX designer with a fancy title—it’s someone who can connect design with business strategy, user needs, and problem-solving at a higher level.
I built my design career through self-learning, real-world experience, and jumping into industries where I had zero prior knowledge. What I found along the way was that the best designers don’t just make things look good—they think bigger.
So, what does it actually mean to be a Product Designer in today’s world?
TL;DR: UI/UX roles are getting tougher to land, and Product Design is taking over—companies want designers who think beyond visuals, connect design to business goals, and adapt fast. If you want to stay ahead, you need to evolve, and this article breaks down exactly how.
What’s the Difference Between UX, UI, and Product Design?
To understand where the industry is going, you need to know what these roles actually mean.
What is UX Design?
UX is about shaping a product around the people using it. Think of it like building a house—you need a solid foundation before anything else.
“UX design involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability, and function.” IxDF.
It’s the strategy, the logic, and the why behind how something works. Without it, the product falls apart.
What is UI Design?
UI is about designing the visual and interactive elements—buttons, layouts, typography, colors. If UX is the foundation of the house, UI is the paint, lighting, and furniture.
“User interface (UI) design is the process designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or style.” IxDF.
UI can’t exist without UX. A beautiful but frustrating interface is a failure.
What is Product Design?
Product Design takes UX and UI further. It’s not just about the user—it’s about understanding how business goals and technology fit into the equation.
“Product design is the process designers use to blend user needs with business goals to help brands make consistently successful products.” IxDF.
This shift isn’t just hype. It’s happening right now, and companies are prioritizing Product Designers over UI/UX specialists. And while this may be happening now, there is another shift coming soon. Let me know if you have a guess what that is in the comments.
Why Product Designers Are the Future
If you want job security, you need to make yourself indispensable.
According to Crunchbase, over 95,000 U.S.-based tech workers were laid off in 2024. Many of those were designers.
So what do we do?
We adapt.
Having a Product Designer mindset makes you more valuable. Instead of just executing tasks, you’re shaping product strategy and aligning user needs with business objectives. This makes you a key player in the company, not just another designer in the pipeline.
Businesses Are Changing How They Hire Designers
Here’s something most designers don’t think about: businesses are feeling the squeeze too.
Companies are no longer hiring full-time specialists for every part of the product team.
Let’s say you’re running a startup. Would you hire a specialist UI designer, a UX researcher, and a product strategist—or would you hire one Product Designer who can see the bigger picture and execute effectively?
This doesn’t mean you need to be a master of everything. But you do need to think holistically. The best designers today understand:
The business impact of their work
How to connect design to company goals
How to advocate for users while aligning with stakeholders
If you can’t articulate how your design moves the needle for a company, you’re replaceable.
How to Become a Better Product Designer
The designers who thrive are the ones who evolve. Here’s how to set yourself apart that I’ve found and have helped me in my career:
Learn to be efficient: AI isn’t coming for your job—bad designers who don’t adapt are. Learn to integrate AI tools without sacrificing creativity or user experience. Work smarter, not harder.
Think like an entrepreneur: Want a crash course in real-world design skills? Try launching your own product. Whether it succeeds or fails, you’ll learn more about business, problem-solving, and product thinking than you ever could in a bootcamp.
Stack complementary skills: You don’t have to become a developer, marketer, or writer, but if you can understand how those roles impact design, you become way more valuable. The more you understand beyond just UI/UX, the more you stand out.
The specialist vs. generalist debate isn’t black and white. The market is shifting toward designers who can wear multiple hats.
Become a Product Design Powerhouse
If you’re interested in business, strategy, or problem-solving, Product Design is where you should be.
If that’s not your thing? That’s fine. But you should still understand how your work fits into the bigger picture.
The companies hiring today want problem-solvers—not just people who can make Figma files look pretty.
The future of design is changing. Are you keeping up?
What are you seeing in the industry? Are UI/UX roles getting harder to land? What skills are making the biggest impact in 2025? Tell me all the things!
Things Worth Sharing
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If you’re starting out in a new career or considering a switch to design, this video is for you. I delve into why I began my journey, hustling through whatever work I could find, and in the beginning, it was all for free. Discover the reasons in this video!