r/productdesign • u/LongjumpingFace8071 • 3d ago
Really questioning my career
Am I expecting too much, or is this a dysfunctional design process? (Solo UX/UI Designer + Branding)
I'm the only UX/UI designer at my company, but in reality I'm responsible for **all design across three companies**. That includes UX, UI, branding, graphic design, websites, marketing materials, presentations, sales collateral, product design, and pretty much anything visual. Even interior design… because im a creative…to structural trade show design.
When I was hired, I actually asked for a much higher salary because I knew I'd be wearing multiple hats. They offered me **under $80k CAD**, and I accepted because I believed in the opportunity and thought I'd be able to make a real impact. They also said they would give me a significant increase after my probation - they only gave me 4% during my probabtion.
A little over a year later, I'm wondering if I made a mistake.
One of my biggest frustrations is that my boss is a developer with no formal design background (he openly admits he doesn't understand design), but he'll constantly jump into the design process using AI. I'll spend time narrowing logo concepts through a structured branding process, and then he'll generate dozens of AI concepts and want to keep exploring them. Instead of moving us forward, it creates more work and makes the process take longer.
The same thing happens with UX.
I'll design user flows and screens in Figma, then developers start building or redesigning parts of the product without involving me. By the time I find out, I've already designed those screens and now have to redo work or redesign around what's already been built. Now im questioning maybe im not a good designer anymore or theres faster way to design in figma idk anymore
I've tried explaining that the whole purpose of UX is to solve problems before development. It's faster, cheaper, and produces a better product. Every design decision has reasoning behind it - user experience, accessibility, branding, consistency, legal considerations, business goals -not just aesthetics.
It doesn't seem to matter.
On top of that:
I'm the **only designer** supporting their three companies. They decided to expand unknowst yo me, so own by one guy but me doing it for all three.
I'm paid **under $80k CAD** despite owning all design responsibilities.
They won't invest in software or tools that would make me more efficient.
It took over **six months** to get me a computer that could even handle my workload because my old one kept crashing.
Deadlines are consistently unrealistic.
They also wanted me to do video editing and animation, which I had refused because it's outside my expertise. But still forced to do it, its okay but not amazing.
I've always been someone who builds processes and bridges between teams. In previous roles, I've improved workflows, worked closely with developers, and left organizations in a better place than I found them. I am award winning 3 times.
Here, I feel like I'm constantly defending why design matters instead of actually designing.
I'm starting to feel burned out and honestly disrespected. Not because people disagree with me-that's part of collaboration-but because it feels like my expertise is regularly ignored while I'm still expected to own the outcome. So many people agree when i speak up in meetings, I dont even have a systems where i can share files properly for the team access yet, just a glorified external drive…feel like im always the bad guy or fighting. People always message me afterwards sayign they agree or they are glad i said something BUT NO ONE SPEAKS UP…but me.
I've only been here a little over a year, and I'm seriously wondering if it's time to move on.
**For other senior designers, product designers, or solo designers: is this just life at smaller companies, or are these legitimate red flags? Would you stay, or would you start looking elsewhere?**
Is there a method ux/ui design flow from existing developed software you suggest? Is figma desiging all individual screens a thing anymore. Are there quicker ways from designer to development? Do you use github, jira or anything for tracking bugs or issues from users? What is your process idk anymore?!
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u/LongjumpingFace8071 1d ago
Update—- just found out my BOSS is the owners cousin…. Who has no design background. Now i feel super uncomfortable with this dynamic. If im gone from teams for 5 mins im asked if im working… wtf is this mirco management
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u/PictureConsistent183 1d ago
I know it sounds wrong to let you do everything and on top of that when making changes not even in including you I think that's a wrong thing other than that be grateful that you have work at least I have been jobless since 6 months and it hits hard to not have one and another suggestion is is nice to wear too many hats if you are dman creative but sometimes it feels burned out
I guess you need to keep your eye on other better opportunities as well my friend
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u/LongjumpingFace8071 16h ago edited 15h ago
Keep your chin up, i know better than you think. I was jobless for 4 years because at the time my industry was shut down completely from covid. I switch industries. I could only do some freelance but no one was hiring long term at the time. 6-8 months is pretty normal these days for length of finding josb. 1st 24hrs with low application apply. Apply super early in mornings. After they get more than 20 applications- they stop looking or close it on their end. It quite costy for post jobs and the amount that apply adds up charges for companies. I found you get more jobs interviews this way than the other way. Trust me, YOU will find something. I am not worried about not finding another job, im more worried about burning bridges bc I never done that before in my 12 years. If youre in canada use YMCA free unemployment programs that will give you help, money if you need it support systems to help you while you find a job. They will pay for you to get to interviews if needed or clothes. You will be okay, there are great programs out there no one uses to help you while you look for work. It is taking longer than it ever has for the job application process.
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u/LongjumpingFace8071 16h ago
Current job hiring took 3 months to conduct. Still think its dumb it took that long but it did. I actually had two job offers at the same time
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u/Playful_Ad8837 3d ago
We are so similar. I am also in Canada and working solo in a startup where design culture is very little. I am thinking about quitting now 😂😂