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Rethinking Our Titles: Why I Use “Object Designer”



In recent years, the term Product Designer has become something of a catch-all—so broad, in fact, that it often causes more confusion than clarity. When I introduce myself as a product designer, people sometimes assume I design apps or user interfaces. In other cases, they think I build websites. And occasionally, they just smile politely, unsure of what that even means.

Similarly, Industrial Designer—the title many of us trained under—carries its own baggage. For some, it evokes images of factories, conveyor belts, heavy machinery, and large-scale manufacturing. It sounds mechanical, rigid, even intimidating to those outside the profession. It can feel like a misfit for clients or collaborators working in softer, more lifestyle-focused categories.

But here's the reality: the design profession has evolved massively, and our titles haven't quite caught up.

Product Design is Everything (and Nothing)

Today, Product Design could mean:

  • UX/UI design for a mobile app

  • Writing clean front-end code

  • Designing physical products like consumer products, medical devices, or furniture

  • Working on packaging systems

  • Or even shaping intangible service experiences.

All of these fall under the “product design” umbrella. While that speaks to the diversity and richness of the field, it also dilutes the meaning of the title. The same term used for crafting an AR interface is also used by someone designing a chair, a wearable sensor, or a surgical tool.

This ambiguity is frustrating—not because the work isn’t valuable, but because the language is failing to represent what we actually do.



Industrial Design: Powerful but Misunderstood

The term Industrial Design still holds weight in academic and manufacturing circles, and rightly so. It's a discipline rooted in the physical world. But for many, especially in branding or marketing spaces, it’s misunderstood.

People hear “industrial” and imagine assembly lines, steel structures, or automotive factories. They don’t see the craft, the user research, the materials knowledge, or the emotional intelligence required to design something that truly resonates with users.

Industrial Design is beautiful and essential—but the language can be off-putting or unclear in certain contexts.



Why I Use “Object Designer”

To bridge this gap, I’ve started using the title Object Designer.

It may sound simple, but it gets straight to the point. I design objects—physical, tangible things. These may be:

  • Consumer devices

  • Professional tools

  • Furniture and home accessories

  • Medical equipment

  • Outdoor or wearable gear

  • Sculptural tech integrations

Objects of daily use or long-term value. Products that you touch, hold, interact with. Products that serve both function and emotion.

By framing myself as an Object Designer, I aim to clarify the scope of my work for clients, partners, students, and anyone outside the design bubble. It positions my practice in the physical world, without tying it to industry buzzwords or outdated associations.



So What is the Future of Our Profession?

As boundaries continue to blur between physical and digital, between art and utility, the role of the designer is more complex—and more essential—than ever. We are not just styling forms; we are shaping interactions, solving real-world problems, and often predicting how people will live, work, and feel in the near future.

Whether we call ourselves Product Designers, Industrial Designers, Experience Designers, or Object Designers, the core mission remains the same: to create meaningful, functional, and inspiring solutions for human lives.

Still, language matters. The words we choose influence how others perceive our work—and how we define ourselves. I believe Object Designer offers clarity, flexibility, and truth. It may not be the final answer, but it’s a step closer to a title that actually reflects the work I do.

What do you think?Is it time for a new vocabulary in design? How do you define your practice—and what title best expresses your work?

 
 
 

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