Table of Contents
- The State of UX Design Careers in 2025
- Product Companies: The Long Game
- Pros of working in product companies
- 1. Full project lifecycle experience
- 2. Build better team chemistry over time
- 3. Real user understanding
- Cons of working in product companies
- 1. Being stuck in a boring industry
- 2. Spending months and not shipping
- 3. Being forced to executing ineffective UX process
- Design Agencies: The Creative Sprint
- Pros of working in design agencies
- 1. Wide-ranging project experience
- 2. Build adaptable client chemistry
- 3. Broad market understanding
- Cons of working in design agencies
- 1. Sales vs design struggle
- 2. The "yes person" syndrome
- 3. Never tracking success metrics
- Decision Framework and Self-Assessment
- 1. Career goal alignment
- Specialist path (product companies)
- Generalist path (agencies)
- 2. Work style assessment tool
- Product company fit statements:
- Design agency fit statements:
- 3. Industry fit matrix
- Product companies score calculator
- Agency score calculator
- Making The UX Career Transition
- Why designers make the switch?
- The reality check
- Preparation steps
- 1. Portfolio transformation
- 2. Skill gap analysis
- 3. Network preparation
- Final Thoughts
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Read time: under 12 minutes
The State of UX Design Careers in 2025
Looking through Glassdoor, I couldn't help but notice that UX designer salaries at product companies tend to be higher than those at design agencies.
But salary isn't everything. Choosing between a product company and an agency goes beyond just pay—or work-life balance, project variety, career growth, and job stability all matter just as much.
So, which one is the right fit for you? Let’s break down the pros and cons of each.
Product Companies: The Long Game
Think of joining a product company like moving to a new country; you're committing to learning the language, understanding the culture, and becoming a local.
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Pros of working in product companies
1. Full project lifecycle experience
When you work at a product company, sometimes it takes months to work on just one single feature.
Sounds boring? It wasn't. It’s a chance for you to see every single phase:
- Initial user research → Multiple design iterations → A/B testing → Launch → Post-launch optimization.
And more…
2. Build better team chemistry over time
At product companies, you're not just building features; you're building relationships.
This means less time explaining yourself and more time actually designing.
- Deep understanding of how engineers think
- Shared vocabulary with product managers
- Long-term trust with stakeholders
3. Real user understanding
You don't just study users, you live with them:
- Access to real usage data
- Long-term user research relationships
- Ability to see how your designs perform over time
Example: Netflix didn’t introduce the “Are you still watching?” feature overnight.
It came after years of studying user behavior and realizing that many people left Netflix running in the background.
This long-term approach allowed them to refine the UX based on real usage patterns—something an agency’s short-term engagement might miss.
Cons of working in product companies
1. Being stuck in a boring industry
Sometimes, you're deep in enterprise software, untangling shipping logistics or streamlining healthcare billing—important, but not exactly glamorous.
How it can hold you back:
- Skill Stagnation
- Less exposure to cutting-edge design trends
- Industry regulations can limit creativity
- Solving similar problems for the same user base
- Fewer opportunities to work with emerging technologies
- Career Mobility Challenges
- Harder to break into other industries
- Portfolio may lack variety, making job moves trickier
- Specializing too much can make you less adaptable
- Fewer high-profile, attention-grabbing projects
2. Spending months and not shipping
Picture this: You’ve spent four months refining a feature, obsessing over every pixel—only for it to sit in limbo. Sound familiar? Welcome to one of the biggest frustrations of working in a product company.
How it can hold you back:
- Stalled career growth
- A stagnant portfolio with fewer shipped projects
- Slow feedback loops make it harder to improve
- Fewer learning opportunities = slower skill progression
- The lack of momentum can kill your sense of achievement
- Mental burnout
- Motivation dips as work feels like it’s going nowhere
- Frustration builds when efforts don’t see the light of day
- Creativity takes a hit when projects drag on forever
- Decision fatigue sets in from endless iterations with no release in sight
3. Being forced to executing ineffective UX process
Being forced to follow ineffective processes just because “that’s how we do things here.”
How it can hold you back:
- Design quality takes a hit
- Inconsistent execution leads to a fragmented product
- Solutions get watered down to fit outdated frameworks
- User experience suffers from rigid, ineffective processes
- Opportunities for real impact are lost in bureaucratic noise
- Team morale nosedives
- Creativity withers under unnecessary constraints
- Innovation slows as designers stop pushing boundaries
- Cynicism creeps in when good ideas are repeatedly shut down
- Job satisfaction drops when work feels more like compliance than creation
Example: Google designers spent years working on Stadia, a cloud gaming platform, refining UX flows and onboarding.
But due to business decisions, Stadia was shut down before it could reach mass adoption. Designers invested significant effort, only for their work to disappear.
Design Agencies: The Creative Sprint
Think of joining an agency like being a digital nomad – you're constantly exploring new territories, adapting to different cultures, and solving fresh challenges.
Pros of working in design agencies
1. Wide-ranging project experience
When you work at an agency, you might juggle 3-4 projects simultaneously. Sounds chaotic? It's actually exhilarating. Each project brings:
- Diverse problem spaces
- Different user demographics
- Various technical constraints
- Multiple industry perspectives
Example: In just one quarter at a major design agency, a senior designer could have worked on:
- Fintech app for millennials
- Healthcare platform for seniors
- E-commerce site for luxury brands
- Booking system for travel industry
2. Build adaptable client chemistry
At agencies, you're not just designing – you're becoming a business consultant:
- Strategic presentation skills
- Client management expertise
- Cross-industry communication abilities
This means you become highly skilled at:
- Building trust quickly
- Reading room dynamics
- Speaking multiple "industry languages"
- Adapting to different company cultures
3. Broad market understanding
You don't just study one market, you become a multi-industry expert:
- Trend spotting abilities
- Cross-pollination of ideas
- Diverse user research exposure
- Pattern recognition across sectors
Example: Pentagram has tackled branding for Mastercard, Rolls-Royce, and Warner Bros—all in completely different industries.
Agency designers get to dip their toes into multiple markets, keeping their work fresh and avoiding the monotony of being stuck on a single product for years.
Cons of working in design agencies
1. Sales vs design struggle
Not every moment is spent designing. Sometimes you're more of a salesperson than a designer, and this can be jarring for many creatives.
How it can hold you back:
Time management challenges
- Constant context switching
- Rush jobs for new business
- Design time gets fragmented
- Client pitches eat into creative time
Skill impact
- Quick-fix mentality
- Less deep design thinking
- Superficial problem solving
- Portfolio quantity over quality
2. The "yes person" syndrome
The pressure to keep clients happy can turn you into someone who never pushes back, even when you should.
How it can hold you back:
Professional development
- Reduced innovation
- Loss of design vision
- Fear of challenging clients
- Compromised design principles
Personal growth
- Identity crisis
- Creative stagnation
- Decreased confidence
- Professional frustration
3. Never tracking success metrics
One of the most frustrating aspects: rarely seeing the long-term impact of your work.
How it can hold you back:
Career development
- Limited metrics for portfolio
- Unclear success measures
- No long-term case studies
- Difficulty proving impact
Design growth
- Missing user feedback
- No iteration opportunities
- Limited learning from mistakes
- Shallow understanding of outcomes
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Decision Framework and Self-Assessment
After mentoring dozens of designers through this decision, here are some decision frameworks and self-assessment tools you can use to make your own decision:
1. Career goal alignment
Before you jump into job listings, let's get crystal clear about where you're headed. The career path you choose will shape your skills and growth for the next 3–5 years.
Specialist path (product companies)
If you're nodding along to most of these points, you might be a product company person:
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Deep product knowledge
- Industry-specific expertise
- Ability to influence product strategy
- Understanding of complex user behaviors
- Long-term product vision development
Feature optimization skills
- Iterative design processes
- Performance metric analysis
- Technical feasibility assessment
User behavior expertise
- Advanced quantitative research skills
- User psychology understanding
- Longitudinal study experience
- A/B testing proficiency
Data analysis proficiency
- SQL and analytics tools
- Experimentation frameworks
- Statistical significance understanding
- User behavior pattern recognition
Generalist path (agencies)
If these resonate more, agency life might be your calling:
Broad industry knowledge
- Various business model comprehension
- Cross-sector understanding
- Trend analysis capabilities
Rapid prototyping ability
- Flexible design approaches
- Fast problem-solving
- Quick iteration skills
- Tool adaptability
Client management skills
- Relationship building
- Presentation expertise
- Expectation management
- Stakeholder communication
Presentation expertise
- Pitch development
- Executive presence
- Visual communication
- Story-telling capabilities
2. Work style assessment tool
Are you better suited for the focused, long-term projects of a product company, or the fast-paced, diverse work of an agency?
The work-style assessment below will help you uncover your preferences and guide you toward the work environment that aligns best with your strengths and interests.
How to use this assessment:
Step 1 — Rate each statement from 1 (strongly disagree) → 5 (strongly agree)
Step 2 — For product company fit: Add up the scores for statements that apply to product company preferences (max 50 points)
Step 3 — For design agency fit: Add up the scores for statements that apply to agency preferences (max 50 points)
Step 4 — Compare total scores
- If Company score is higher: You prefer stable, long-term work and would fit
best at a product company.
- If Agency score is higher: You prefer variety and dynamic work and would
fit best at an agency.
💡 Remember:
- A score difference of less than 10 points suggests flexibility for either environment.
- Consider other factors like location, compensation, and growth opportunities in your decision-making.
📍 Quick Tip:
For accurate results, answer based on your natural preferences, not what you think is "correct." There are no right or wrong answers - only what works best for your work style.
Example: Meet Sarah's results:
- Product Company Fit Statements (Rated 1-5): Sum = 42
- Design Agency Fit Statements (Rated 1-5): Sum = 20
→ Difference: 22 (Product > Agency)
Conclusion: Sarah would likely be happier at a product company.
Product company fit statements:
Statement | Category | Your Score |
I enjoy seeing long-term impact | Project Duration | ㅤ |
I prefer deep diving into problems | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I enjoy regular, predictable meetings | Stakeholder Interaction | ㅤ |
I prefer working with the same team | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I work best with structured timelines | Work Pace | ㅤ |
I prefer predictable work hours | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I enjoy optimizing existing features | Innovation vs Iteration | ㅤ |
I like data-driven decisions | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I work best in stable, larger teams | Team Size | ㅤ |
I like established processes | ㅤ | ㅤ |
Design agency fit statements:
Statement | Category | Your Score |
I get bored working on the same product | Project Duration | ㅤ |
I like frequent context switching | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I enjoy meeting new stakeholders | Stakeholder Interaction | ㅤ |
I thrive in client presentations | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I can easily switch between projects | Work Pace | ㅤ |
I thrive under tight deadlines | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I prefer creating new solutions | Innovation vs Iteration | ㅤ |
I enjoy rapid ideation | ㅤ | ㅤ |
I prefer small, dynamic teams | Team Size | ㅤ |
I enjoy flexible workflows | ㅤ | ㅤ |
3. Industry fit matrix
This isn't just about gut feeling. Let's put some numbers behind your decision.
This matrix helps you evaluate fit based on weighted factors that matter most in each environment.
How to use this matrix:
Step 1 — Rate each factor (5 = Love it, 3 = Neutral, 1 = Prefer others)
Step 2 — For product company → Calculate total scores (max 30 points each)
Step 3 — For design agency → Calculate total scores (max 30 points each)
Step 4 — Compare the scores
- If the Product score is higher: You have a strong preference for stable environments with long-term impact. Consider product companies.
- If the Agency score is higher: You thrive in dynamic environments with varied projects. Consider agencies.
💡 Note:
If your scores are within 3 points: You could thrive in either environment. Consider what matters most to you like:
- Team dynamics
- Salary and benefits
- Growth opportunities
- Industry and project types
- Location and work flexibility
- Company culture and mission
The goal is to make an informed decision based on your current career stage and personal preferences as well.
Example: Meet Ana's scores
Product Score (18/30):
- Stability: 9/15
- Impact: 9/15
Agency Score (27/30):
- Variety: 12/15
- Growth: 15/15
Result: With a 9-point lead for Agency, Ana should pursue agency roles where she can enjoy variety and fast-paced growth!
Product companies score calculator
Stability factor
Regular hours
- 5 = Love routine
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer flexibility
Consistent team
- 5 = Value long-term relationships
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer changing teams
Clear progression
- 5 = Want structured advancement
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer flexible growth
Impact factor
Long-term influence
- 5 = Value lasting impact
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer quick wins
User relationship
- 5 = Want deep user understanding
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer varied user groups
Feature ownership
- 5 = Want complete ownership
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer shared ownership
Agency score calculator
Variety factor
Project diversity
- 5 = Love variety
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer focus
Client exposure
- 5 = Enjoy client interaction
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer internal stakeholders
Industry range
- 5 = Want broad exposure
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer specialization
Growth factor
Skill expansion
- 5 = Want rapid skill growth
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer depth over breadth
Network building
- 5 = Value extensive networking
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer stable connections
Portfolio growth
- 5 = Want diverse portfolio
- 3 = Neutral
- 1 = Prefer deep case studies
Making The UX Career Transition
Why designers make the switch?
The decision to switch isn't just about salary or job titles. Often, it's about finding the right environment for your current career stage and personal growth needs.
Some designers thrive in the fast-paced, varied world of agencies, while others find their groove in the deep, focused environment of product companies.
The reality check
Making a successful transition requires more than just updating your portfolio.
It's about understanding the fundamental differences between these environments and preparing yourself for a significant shift in:
- Work style
- Team dynamics
- Project ownership
- Skill requirements
- Success metrics
Preparation steps
1. Portfolio transformation
Product company → Design agency
- Break down your long-term projects into digestible cases
- Highlight versatility within your specialized experience
- Showcase rapid iteration capabilities
- Focus on problem-solving process over long-term metrics
Design agency → Product company
- Consolidate similar projects into themed case studies
- Emphasize deep thinking and strategic decisions
- Show iteration and improvement patterns
- Focus on user impact and metrics where possible
2. Skill gap analysis
Product company → Design agency skills checklist:
- Client presentation abilities
- Quick ideation techniques
- Multiple project management
- Cross-industry knowledge
- Rapid prototyping
- Sales and pitching
Design agency → Product company skills checklist:
- Deep user research
- Data analysis
- A/B testing methodology
- Product strategy
- Stakeholder management
- Technical implementation
3. Network preparation
- Connect with designers who've made similar transitions
- Join relevant industry groups
- Attend targeted events and conferences
Key takeaway:
- The best transitions happen when you're ready, not when you're desperate.
- Use the preparation checklist to ensure you're fully equipped.
- Give yourself 3-6 months for proper preparation.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose the focused depth of product companies or the dynamic variety of agency life, success comes from understanding yourself and preparing thoroughly for your chosen path.
Remember: This isn't a permanent decision. Many successful UX designers have worked in both environments, using each experience to build a unique and valuable skill set.
I’m cheering on you, guys! ✌️
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