I'm looking to transition into design from marketing, and the job titles are throwing me off. Every company seems to use "Product Designer" and "UX Designer" differently. Some job posts look identical, while others seem to demand completely different skills. For those in the industry, what's the real, practical difference between a product vs UX designer? Is it about seniority, scope, or something else? I need to know which path to skill up for.
It's a super common point of confusion, especially as the industry evolves. The simplest way to think about it is scope and ownership. A UX Designer typically focuses deeply on the user's journey, interaction, and usability of a specific feature or flow. A Product Designer often owns that plus the broader product strategy, business metrics, and visual designthey're thinking about the entire product lifecycle and how it succeeds in the market. One isn't necessarily senior to the other; they're different specializations. A fantastic article that breaks this down clearly, including skill sets and how they partner, is this guide on product vs UX designer. It really helps clarify which role aligns with which interests.