2024 RESEARCH REPORT
Managing this Moment
How line managers in design/UX are faring—and what they need from their leadership
About the report
Over the past year, many managers in our 1:1 coaching and group programs have told us they’re struggling: overwhelmed by their team’s needs, undervalued by their orgs, and unsure of how to be successful.
In the summer of 2024, we set out to better understand this group: How’s their wellbeing? What's most challenging for them? And what do they need from their leaders and orgs right now?
This report is the result of that research. It includes findings from 132 line managers working in design—including product and UX design, user research, and content roles.
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What’s in the report
How design managers are doing right now, and what factors at work are most impacting their wellbeing and mental health
How perspectives on the industry have shifted in the past two years
The biggest challenges design managers face in their day-to-day work
The strategies managers use to cope with these challenges
What skills and support managers need to be successful now
What respondents said
“As a middle manager, you really don’t have very much visibility into the top, and when speaking to high level leaders, they may not always be very transparent with you.”
—Principal UX researcher
“Periodic layoffs and lack of clear communication from executive leadership is frustrating. However I am experienced enough to do what I can and know what is out of my control. I’m able to compartmentalize stressors.”
—Senior director of design
“I’m practicing being more intentional with my time and taking time to learn, even if it means not racing to a competing task. I’m also making sure that I spend time with my direct report and provide stability for our team. It feels like I’m in a planning phase, as I try to regroup and figure out what we can do amidst all the noise.”
—UX research manager
Looking for our 2022 research report, “Work needs to stay in its place”? Get it here.