The definition of ‘senior designer’ has changed. Here’s what top hiring managers are really looking for in 2025. They're looking "Super ICs" (super individual contributors), and if you've been passed over for roles or wondering how to get promoted as a designer, understanding this shift might be exactly what you need.

So what's the difference between a senior designer and a super senior designer? And more importantly—how do you actually become one?

What is a "Super IC"?

Here's how to think about it:

A regular senior designer is like a skilled line cook. You're technically sharp, highly talented, and can execute brilliantly. You manage your projects well and, with the right support and direction, consistently ship great work that users love.

But designers who get promoted quickly—the ones hiring managers are desperately trying to find? They think like executive chefs.

They're not waiting for project briefs to land in their lap. They're out front designing the entire menu. They're collaborating with product and business leaders to shape the vision. They're sourcing new ideas, managing constraints, and keeping the team moving in sync when deadline pressure hits.

And even with all of that on their plate, they can still jump in and ship something truly impactful for customers—because they set the quality bar for everyone.

How to Become a "Super IC"

1. Learn to Zoom In and Out

Yes, sweat the details—button states, micro-interactions, accessibility. But then zoom back out and ask: Does this actually solve the customer's problem? Does it align with business goals?

One of the biggest design skills hiring managers want is the ability to move fluidly between product vision and pixel-level execution. You need to talk strategy with executives in the morning and refine design systems in the afternoon.

Before diving into mockups, write out the business problem you're solving. In every design review, lead with the "why" before showing the "what." Challenge yourself: "If I could only ship one feature, which creates the most value?"

2. How to Influence Product Roadmap as a Designer

Here's what I see designers asking all the time: "How do I get a seat at the table?" The answer? Stop waiting for permission or waiting for the ticket to come. The designers who get promoted don't just execute the roadmap—they help shape it. They're asking: What should we be working on next quarter? What customer problem are we ignoring? What if we made this experience 10x bolder?

3. Raise the Bar for Your Entire Team

Wondering about the difference between IC and a "Super IC" designer? ICs focus on making themselves better. Super ICs make everyone better.

You don't need to be a design director or manager to do this. You can:

• Create design frameworks that help others make better decisions

• Build templates and tools that improve team efficiency

• Give thoughtful, specific feedback in design critiques

• Document your process so others can learn from it

4. Develop Range and Speed

Super ICs move quickly across different domains without sacrificing depth.They can flex between:

• Different product areas (consumer app one month, internal tools the next)

• Different altitudes (strategy on Monday, detailed specs on Tuesday)

• Different disciplines (research, content, systems thinking)

And they do it all while delivering high-quality work without constant direction.

Start by volunteering for projects outside your comfort zones. Set aggressive timelines and force yourself to make decisions faster. Study adjacent disciplines—learn basic front-end code, run a user interview, write product copy, experiment with new AI design tools like Visual Identity, Perplexity, Runway Gen, etc.

What Hiring Managers Look for in Designers Has Changed

The bar has shifted. Companies need designers who can think at a strategic level while still caring deeply about the quality of execution. They need people who can shape product vision and influence strategy—all while shipping beautiful, user-centered work.

Whether you're trying to land your next role or level up in your current one, the Super IC skillset isn't optional anymore. It's what separates designers who are order-takers from those who are strategic partners.

So here's the real question: Are you still operating like a line cook, or are you ready to think like an executive chef?