The Design Maturity Gap: From Sacred Process to Pragmatic Delivery
Key Takeaways
- •Companies aren't "killing" UX: They're killing the "Siloed UX Ivory Tower" that prioritizes process over business outcomes.
- •The Maturity Gap: The disconnect between designers who prioritize "sacred process" and companies that need "pragmatic delivery."
- •Be Pragmatic: High-value designers prioritize business outcomes over process theatre while maintaining design quality.
This article is based on a discussion from r/UXDesign
Visual: Pragmatic vs Siloed Design
The Insight
Based on the common Reddit sentiment that "Pure UX" is a sacred ritual that companies are "killing." The truth is: companies aren't "killing" UX; they are killing the "Siloed UX Ivory Tower." This note addresses the Design Maturity Gap and explains how to be a high-value "Pragmatic Designer" who prioritizes business outcomes over "process theatre."
Is Your Company Design Mature or Design Pragmatic?
Design Mature Companies Have:
- ✓Design leadership at the executive level
- ✓Design systems that are actually used
- ✓Research that drives product decisions
- ✓Designers integrated into product teams (not siloed)
- ✓Metrics that measure design impact
Design Pragmatic Companies Have:
- ✓Designers who can code or understand technical constraints
- ✓Fast iteration cycles (weeks, not months)
- ✓Design decisions tied to business metrics
- ✓Cross-functional collaboration as the norm
- ✓Designers who prioritize shipping over perfection
The Shift from Sacred Process to Pragmatic Delivery
The "Sacred Process" mindset treats UX as a ritual that must be followed perfectly: extensive user research, perfect documentation, ideal workflows, and comprehensive design systems. While these are valuable, they can become "process theatre" when they don't drive business outcomes.
"Pragmatic Delivery" prioritizes shipping value quickly while maintaining quality. This means:
- •Measuring in business terms: Conversion rates, user retention, revenue impact—not just design awards.
- •Shipping fast: Prioritizing "good enough" over "perfect" to learn from real users.
- •Understanding constraints: Designing within budget, timeline, and technical limitations.
- •Collaborating closely: Working with product and engineering, not in isolation.
Becoming a Pragmatic Designer
The goal is to be a high-value designer who delivers business impact, not just beautiful designs. This means:
- Measure your work in business terms: Track conversion rates, user retention, and revenue impact—not just design awards or portfolio pieces.
- Learn to ship fast: Use AI tools to speed up research and iteration, allowing you to focus on strategic decisions.
- Understand business constraints: Design within budget, timeline, and technical limitations rather than fighting them.
- Collaborate, don't isolate: Work closely with product and engineering teams to ensure your designs actually get built.
Related: Learn more about The Consulting Shift and developing a UX Survivor Mindset.
Audit Your Company's Design Maturity
Use our AI Advisor tool to help you assess your current company's design maturity and get personalized recommendations on how to become a more pragmatic, high-value designer who delivers business impact.