A Catalogue of Unicorns, Foxes, and Hedgehogs: The Elite Selection of UX Design Creatures
In the dynamic world of user experience (UX) design, three distinct roles have emerged, each with its own unique strengths and challenges. These roles, often referred to as UX unicorns, foxes, and hedgehogs, provide a framework for understanding the diverse skills and expertise within UX teams.
The term UX unicorn was first introduced by Jeremy Wilt in UX Matters. A UX unicorn is a highly skilled individual who excels in all aspects of UX design, graphic design, and coding. However, finding such a unicorn is a challenge, as they are not available in large numbers and require significant time to become proficient in multiple UX fields.
On the other hand, UX foxes are individuals with a diverse background, often in psychology, marketing, or business. They are adept at applying their skills to UX work, thriving in uncertain environments, and solving problems creatively. UX foxes are more easily found than UX unicorns but are still a valuable resource for UX teams.
UX hedgehogs, coined by Jared Spool, are experts in specific areas or areas of UX work, having achieved mastery through significant effort. They add depth of understanding and mastery to the team that foxes may lack. However, some hedgehogs can be rigid in their approach to work and may have difficulty working with others in uncertain environments.
The ideal UX team consists of a mix of these three roles. A well-constructed group of hedgehogs and foxes can lead to better cooperation and outcomes. UX unicorns, being rare and highly sought after, are valuable team leaders and managers.
There is a debate on whether UX designers should learn to code or not. While some argue that coding skills are essential for UX designers, others suggest that focusing on design and user experience is enough. Regardless, the labels UX unicorn, fox, and hedgehog help define roles within a UX team and facilitate better cooperation and outcomes.
It's essential to remember that these labels should not be used to pigeonhole people. There can be foxes with great degrees of mastery and hedgehogs who can think creatively. Every individual brings their unique strengths and perspectives to the table, contributing to the success of the UX team.
In conclusion, the UX profession uses animal terms such as unicorns, foxes, and hedgehogs to describe different types of UX professionals. Understanding these roles can help employers build effective and diverse UX teams, resulting in better user experiences and successful projects.
