I’m often asked how I measure success or develop career growth for designers. I’ve made this map to help guide. Use this to know if you are in the right title and what a promotion entails. Also use this in recruiting to put someone at the right level when they join. I hope its helpful.
Level 1: Shadowing
Can learn by watching, Won’t embarrass us
Level 2: Intern
Everything in Shadowing AND
Can follow instructions and collaborate with relevant employees
Has a good work ethic and attitude
Gets along well with others
Can be assigned small tasks
Level 3: Intern II
Everything in Level 2 AND
Has 1 season of Intern
Has some basic domain skills
Level 4: Associate Product Designer
Everything in Level 3 AND
Recognized as a junior/entry member of the team
Personally contributes towards concrete goals and deliverables
Very little or no work experience in domain
Level 5: Product Designer
Everything in Level 4 AND
Has 1-3 years of professional domain experience
Has intermediate skills (4+) in a few (30%) facets of domain
Can lead small (1-2 week) projects with oversight
Level 6: Product Designer II
Everything in Level 5 AND
Has 2-4 years of professional domain experience
Has intermediate skills (4+) in many (60%) facets of domain
Can lead small projects (1-2 weeks) on their own
Can lead medium projects (2-4 weeks) with oversight
Level 7: Product Designer III
Everything in Level 6 AND
Demonstrates team leadership
Has 3-6 years of professional domain experience
Has intermediate domain skills (4+) in most (90%) facets
Influences others outside his/her own project
Can lead medium-sized projects (2-4 weeks) on their own
Can be part of an interview panel
Level 8: Sr. Product Designer
Everything in Level 7 AND
Actively seeks to be a resource outside of immediate project/team/local scope
People will come and ask them for input
Advanced domain skills (8+) in a few (30%) facets
Has 4-8 years of professional domain experience
Can lead large projects (1-2 months) with oversight
Mentor 1-2 junior members of the team
Level 9: Sr. Product Designer II
Everything in Level 8 AND
Advanced domain skills in many facets
Has 5-8 years of professional domain experience
Level 10: Sr. Product Designer III
Everything in Level 9 AND
Advanced domain skills (8+) in most (90+) individual contribution facets
Can lead large projects (1-2 months) on their own
Level 11: Director of Product Design
Everything in Level 10 AND
Can do detailed critiques/reviews as well as mentor/manage lower levels on a daily basis.
Executes on mid-range plans
Able to identify, plan, and execute career development for employees
Able to teach team on their own initiative
Influences architecture/process beyond their own project
Looks across the organization
Mastery of craft
Can lead Gionormous projects (1-4 quarters) with oversight
Has 6+ years of professional domain experience
Is part of the recruiting process on an active basis
Level 12: Sr. Director of Product Design
Everything in Level 11 AND
Can fill in for the VP if needed
Has strong knowledge of the complete ecosystem
Recognized as an influential leader
Manages performance on a daily basis
Executes on long-range plans
Works effectively to hire and retain talent
Effectively manages employee performance
Influences architecture/process beyond their own project
Looks across the organization
Level 13: VP, Product Design
Everything in Level 12 AND
Is recognized as the leader in the company
Works consistently with other leaders in the organization
Whatya think?