309: Become a design manager or stay an IC? How to make the choice.

This episode is sponsored by Mobbin, which is the largest design reference library for mobile and web, offering practical inspiration from real apps that address diverse design challenges. Don’t forget to mention Design Life when you register at Mobbin! Femke and Charli respond to a listener's question about how to choose between pursuing a career as a design manager or an individual contributor (IC). They share their personal experiences navigating their career paths, discuss the factors they considered in their decision-making, and outline the skill sets required for each role. Timestamps: 01:06 Episode starts 04:36 Mobbin sponsorship 06:11 Femke shares her journey in choosing between an individual contributor (IC) role and a managerial position. 07:43 What factors influenced your decision to pursue a career as a design manager? 13:43 Advice on how to determine which career path is right for you. 17:19 Have you ever considered different direction when you were in a design manager role? 23:45 Does Femke envision herself managing people, and what key responsibilities define the role of a design manager? Links: A huge shoutout to our sponsor for this episode, Mobbin! Make sure to check them out Charli's latest Youtube video Femke's livestreams Femke's new community Femke’s course “Product strategy for designers” Share your topic suggestions for the show with us at [email protected]